Frazer Mitchell sits down with the man behind Harvs & Friends, talking all things Music Production, Weymouth Dance Music Scene, and Gavin & Stacey.  FRAZER: Hey Rian! Great to finally catch up! It’s been quite a 12 months for you. Tell us what you’ve been up to? RIAN: It certainly has. Been a bit of a rocky one as well, I’ve had highs and lows. I split from a duo I was in, signed for a record label and really cracked on with production... and really picked up a good following I feel. I’m so humbled by all the support recently. It means so much. I also released my first track, played my first festivals and have linked up with some great people in the industry of bass music too! Obviously it’s the year I also introduced my new brand Harvs&Friends to life aswell, that’s something I’m excited about for the future! FRAZER: So you mention Harvs & Friends - tell us more about what it is. What are you hoping to achieve? RIAN: It’s really been an idea I’ve had at the back of my mind for a good few years in fairness. It’s just cheap nights out, but big ones you’ll remember! I’m not looking to make money from it, lots of people having a good time is all I need really! I’ve had lots of promoters come up to me and ask for collaborative events too which is really nice and I’m so thankful for all that backing on something I was hesitant to start! FRAZER: This sounds like something we’ll have to help you promote on The Lounge! Be sure to give us future gig dates! RIAN: I sure will, you’ll be first to know! FRAZER: So talk to us about why you wanted to start Harvs&Friends - who influenced you to do something like this? RIAN: It came about when I started having to miss out on watching some of my favourite DJs when I was just 18 because I couldn’t afford tickets. Obviously for a lot of people their events are their careers so they need to make big money. I’m lucky to have a job that supports me enough to use my events more as a gift back to people who show interest in me. I’m not here to make mega bucks from it, I simply want to give people the chance to see headliners they may not be able to afford to in any other instance. I saw it as a gap in the market and I hope it will continuously grow. I only have my girlfriend to thank for pushing me to finally put my first one on at Christmas. Which went surprisingly well, despite a few teething problems. I’m excited to see where it will go over the next 12-18 months. FRAZER: The Weymouth Music Scene is certainly very varied, it’s great to see you’ve got a lot of amazing acoustic acts and bands, and the DJ scene is at such a high quality. It’s fair to say the dance music scene is alive and kicking! RIAN: Dance music is at such an exciting stage right now. There’s so many new sounds coming through. I sit at home making tunes now a-days with sounds I didn’t even think would work 1-2 years ago. The scene is evolving almost as fast as technology. And that window for new talent to come through is certainly opening up, another goal of Harvs&Friends is to support that. FRAZER: I also hear you’re producing your own music too; in the words of Ness, “What’s Occurring?” RIAN: Haha, Gavin and Stacey...a personal favourite! Yeah I’m really enjoying it I must say, it’s frustrating at times, as any producer will appreciate, but I’m working with some really talented people to bring as many tracks out as I can. My newest is ‘Isla’ on my SoundCloud. But I’m trying to bank a few tunes up to tease into the industry and release slowly over the year. I like to try shape my production around some of my idols My Nu Leng. FRAZER: I’ve seen My Nu Long several times; they never ever disappoint. There are very few MC’s I’d actually pay money to see; collectively they’re a great act! I can’t wait to hear what you do with your productions, and of course Harvs&Friends. Best of luck to you, and don’t leave it so long next time! RIAN: Haha, thank you for having me. I’ll be sending you a few samples soon...I’ll try not to hibernate in the studio so long this time!   |