Inner Circle : Riobamba
What got you into DJ-ing?
I was living in Boston at the time, in 2010, and I wanted to be proactive in creating a space that was a reflection of & celebrated the experience of being "ni de aquí/ni de allá" (neither from here/nor there).
What keeps you motivated?
The friends & family I have around me. Reflecting on what's come before me, whether it be resilience in my own lineage, or folks that have come before me in the industry, and thinking of ways I can move the dial further through my own work.
Is there anyone/anything that you look to for inspiration?
I love reading– "Women Who Run With The Wolves" by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés had a huge impact on my outlook.
What kind of music do you feel the most connected to?
Music that inspires movement, in which ever way– through dancing, through action, through connecting with yourself.
Who’s on your radar that’s up and coming from your area (or in general)?
I had the chance to connect with the Putivuelta collective recently in Bogotá, who also last week released a compilation that I have a track on. The tracks on the compilation all use a guaracha sample pack that was custom-made for the project, so it was a nice challenge to explore that direction.
Favorite thing or artist to listen to right now?
I've had Fuego's Libre: Fireboy Forever album on repeat for a looong time.
Favorite spot to grab a bite in NYC?
Saraghina in Bed-Stuy is a few blocks away from me, that tends to be my go-to!
What are some things you notice that set NYC apart from other places?
I love that the possibilities for expansion feel limitless in NYC.
What was your perception of Boston before you played The Wave for the first time?
I grew up next to Springfield, and later spent 8 years of my life in Boston. I 1000% see the hard work that CLLCTV has been doing to create a space for the community, and it's beautiful to see how many other people come out and value that work as well.
Digital or vinyl?
Digital with a vinyl set up at home.
One thing you can’t travel without?
Vitamins! Echinacea all day.
Being a cultural activist yourself, how has your own background helped shape your outlook?
I think it's important for each of us to speak our own truth. I'm first-generation, and things that I've witnessed my family and extended community go through are important to call out– that xenophobia and racism are not new commodities in American culture, it's just that the folks perpetuating these beliefs are feeling newly emboldened by an administration that encourages these beliefs. If I have a platform to speak out about these things, I'm going to use that to the best of my ability.
What's the background on Apocalipsis and what led you to start your own label?
I started APOCALIPSIS out of the desire to broaden the scope of representation in the music industry, and especially in the Latinx lane. I spent the last few years working in editorial & marketing roles in the industry, and felt like it was time to leverage that knowledge to create my own platform.
Can you give us the low-down on some of the many projects that you're most proud of at the moment?
I'm proud to be working on strengthening my voice & confidence as a producer. Look out for more releases on the way in 2019 :)
Can you tell us the backstory behind Bien Buena? and what it’s like working closely with Andy?
Bien Buena came about as an evolution of work that Andy and I had done in the past through platforms like Que Bajo?!, and parties that we were throwing in Brooklyn under the Bien Buena name. Andy was one of the first people I met in the industry back when I started out, and I really appreciate that our friendship has grown & morphed to also be a home for collaboration.
her nails tho?! and just overall swag got me like…
You can find Rio rocking in New York or catch her on the road!
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- Kibs