Rafael Drager is a young talented artist/producer who’s sound has developed tenfold over the last 18 months. We caught up with him recently to see what prompted this development and musical change, and his plans for the future…
WWD: Hey Rafael, how are you, how has your year been so far?
2021, it’s been really great for me so far. Good releases I’m really proud of on labels such as MADORAS – switch lab, and now You Plus One.
WWD: What has been the best thing for you about the end of lockdown?
I could say that for a moment in 2020 I was lost and I was trying to find myself. In the search I found a new way to produce. I used to make and play only tech house and now I have found a more melodic way.
WWD: What did you learn about yourselves or about the dance music scene in the last 16 months of the pandemic?
I learned that music can be more than an escape but also help you to find a way back to yourself. I fell in love with my new style of music. It gives me way more internal peace in that now I feel more authentic than ever.
WWD: Did it give you a different perspective on the music you are making, the sound, the style, the vibe?
Yes, definitely. My perspective of music now is much deeper, more introspective, and very different than how it was before. I truly found my sound and my style. I feel I am making music from the depth of my soul – basically expressing what I am feeling now instead of trying to play what I think will make me look a certain way or fit a certain image.
WWD: Tell us about your new one “This Is” on the Canadian label You Plus One – why work with Sebastian Rivero? When did you meet?
’THIS IS’ is a very special release for me because it captures a pivotal time in my evolution. I had this feeling that I needed to express my music differently. I think with all the new things and feelings I had in my head, I could really show a new side. To be honest this idea of the track came out of nowhere, I just tried to be most true to myself. Also for me it is very special to be part of You Plus One as they were my first family when I used to live in Vancouver. They opened the doors for me and gave me my first gig back in 2016. SIAVASH the label boss is a person that means a lot to me. I moved by myself to Canada when I was 16 and that’s when I met him. He basically taught me most of what I know about music. If there is a wizard his name is Siavash. With my musical partner on the track, Sebastian, we met through social media during the pandemic. At the time I had only produced tech house and he was really into afro and melodic. We started talking about music and eventually working with him allowed me to produce outside of my comfort. He is also a very highly skilled producer.
WWD: Who did what, and did you work in person or online?
I started the idea as a 32 loop, worked out the groove, and melodies. And Sebastian worked in the story of the track. Everything was done online from a distance.
WWD: What inspired it, how did you approach the tune, did you know how you wanted it to sound form the off?
I became inspired by everything I was going through in my personal life and by having to reflect my thoughts inward during the isolation of the pandemic. I really had no idea that what I was craving was that sound, I just started making the chords and progression and ideas started to come to my mind. It was very unexpected.
WWD: Any fav bits of gear, hardware, plug ins, drum machines etc when producing?
My fav hardware is Ableton. Normally I try to only use native plugs from it, but sometimes I like to use Diva and Serum.
WWD: What else have you got coming up/are you working on?
I am actually working on some tracks for well known labels such as All Day I Dream, Sudbeat, and I’m working on kind of big track for when we dip – let’s keep as a secret.
WWD: What hopes and goals and dreams do you have for your career or do you take each day as it comes?
I have always been a planned guy. I try to organize my release and build a track for specific labels. I do not send a track around hoping any of the labels will take it. I normally start working a track and once the inspiration has started, I fill it out or accentuate it with the sound of the label I want to have it.
Rafael Drager and Sebastian Rivero’s “This Is” EP is out now on You Plus One. Grab it HERE.
https://www.facebook.com/DragerMusic