Fresh off his set at Nocturnal Wonderland 2023, I had the privilege of speaking with Ravell. He gave us insight into who he is, where he came from, and what we can expect. Check out the interview below, and be sure to catch him in action at the next show or festival you attend!
Chris: Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today! Super excited to sit down with you and learn more about who Ravell is. Let’s start with some basics: where are you from?
Ravell: I live in Santa Monica currently. But this is really exciting for me because this is actually my hometown. I grew up in Fontana, so this is home to me.
C: That is awesome! So this is your first homecoming – how was it?
R: It was amazing. It was special. I brought out my whole family. It was a whole vibe.
C: That is so cool! Who from the family did you bring out?
R: I brought out my dad, brothers, my whole family home. It was really great.
C: Incredible! Dad, come here real quick. How did he do on his homecoming set?
Dad: Great! He was awesome! He is doing amazing things.
C: How was the energy?
R: The energy was wild, as always. Every Insomniac show is special like that.
C: They are always amazing. Especially at Nocturnal at Glen Helen. How did you like the venue?
R: The venue is dope. I have never played here before, so this was very special for me, and I am so excited to be here.
C: Tell me about today. What was your favorite part of your first homecoming set?
R: My favorite moment so far was the pre-party before the festival. Day 0 was a whole different thing. It was my first time in the campgrounds, and let’s just say it gets wild.
C: Day 0’s are the craziest. How are you feeling today?
R: I feel great! I just finished my set, so the adrenaline is starting to wind down a bit. It feels good.
C: Tell us about your set.
R: The set was nice and sunny. The speakers and sound system were banging. It was just exactly how it needed to be.
C: That’s so amazing. I love to hear that. Tell us a little about your story. How did you get into music?
R: I actually started DJing with my dad when I was 12. My mom had a little shop and booked and said, “Hey, you know what, you guys are DJs.” From there, when I turned 15, I started to do all-ages night clubs, which are a thing out here in San Bernardino. A large venue out here had 5,000 people every Friday night. After that, I was like, wow, I am truly passionate about this. I should make this my career, and I went and pursued that.
C: That is a great story, and I can feel your passion as you talk about it. Where do you draw your inspiration for your music?
R: I draw a lot of it from Latin heritage and the music my mom and dad listened to. The music from those special moments growing up, like quinceaneras and backyard parties. I wanted to revamp that and what I am doing now with electronic music, I just want people to feel good vibes.
C: That is exactly what you feel when listening to your music. I was driving up here, listening to your music and smiling.
C: What is your main goal with the Ravell project?
R: I want to take it to places I can’t imagine. I just want to keep building and building. I have the best team and want to continue to create the best experience.
C: I love that. Tell me about that experience you want to build.
R: Good energy all around. Everywhere we go, you feel that, and with our fans, which we call the “Ravellions.” We want to make it special for them and keep the vibes growing.
C: That is awesome, love the name Ravellions. What would you say would be your dream festival to headline?
R: EDC Las Vegas – that is the big one, right. But every festival is special to me.
C: Before you were the DJ, did you go to festivals?
R: Actually, I was always the DJ, starting at 12. Even during high school, I was DJing our rally and was a lunchtime DJ. We had a program where I was playing music and DJing the football games. I have been on that side of the music for as long as I can remember.
C: That is amazing. Since you’ve always been on that side, what is your favorite festival you’ve DJ’d so far?
R: EDC Las Vegas a few years back. It was their first time doing the Parliament Art Car, which was incredible. Right when I loaded up my first song and started to play it, all the fireworks went off around me. It was a whole little moment and was super cool.
C: How did that feel?
R: It was incredible. I still have goosebumps when I talk about it.
C: What can your fans and Ravellions expect to see coming from you?
R: We just recently launched a music label called KAZAA. I have a bunch of new music coming out and am signing a couple of new artists to the label. There is a lot to look forward to and be excited about!
C: Let’s talk about that new music. Can we expect a new album or EP soon?
R: You can expect a new EP that I will drop soon, but not an album. I’m a singles guy. I like to tease them.
C: That is awesome, I love it. Let’s learn a little about yourself, Richard. What do you like to do outside of music?
R: I am a simple guy. I like to wake up early, which wasn’t always the case. But now, I like to wake up early and get a workout in. Then, grind and crank out music until dinner. And later, I might hit the gym again. The reason I like the gym is because it gives me a space to think about ideas. I listen to demos I’ve made. I review my whole catalog, listen to what I’ve done, get some inspiration, and see what I can do better. Especially in the sauna, I’ve made a mix before called Sauna Sessions. That is where I get the most inspiration. It’s like a secret little spot for me to get some beats going.
C: That is great. It’s like a little sanctuary for you to create.
C: Outside of music and the gym, what would you say your favorite hobby is?
R: Great question! Well, what do I like? I love to eat!
C: Great hobby! Another hard question: what is your favorite restaurant?
R: Sushi is a very big thing and a go-to for me. There is a great sushi place in LA called “Opps! Sushi.” The food is amazing – I highly recommend it, and no, they did not pay me!
C: Sounds amazing. I’ll be sure to check it out and let the people know it’s not sponsored.
C: Last question for you. What do you want to say to your fans and those who are just finding out about you?
R: I would just like to thank everyone for their support. It’s very comforting to see people find enjoyment in my career and passion, and we will see you at the next one!
