Renato Ratier is on D-EDGE

Renato Ratier is a one-of-a-kind, one of those personalities that needs to create to be satisfied.

He is the man behind one of the best clubs in South America, D-Edge in São Paulo, and is aiming for more in the near future. We speak with him about this and life in general.

Renato, how did you come to electronic music?

When the 1990s began overflowing with the wave of electronic music around the world, I began my own musical research while living in Campo Grande. Then I went to the United States to get to know closely this new musical Universe. In the States I had contact with producers, DJs and clubs of house, techno, rock and funk. I returned to Brazil as a professional DJ, and turned out as a kind of cultural agitator in the midwest of Brazil: precursor of electronic beats, party producer and radio show host.

What makes a good DJ?

It’s a junction of technical research, dance floor feeling and knowing how to be charismatic. Truly doing it with passion and love, to put energy above all.

Do you produce as well?

I have been producing for 4 years, my earlier where not released but where used for some videos and projects for d-edge. I stopped for a while for not having a proper studio. I got studio at home in the last year. In 2007 I did a mix compilation for Gigolo Records. So far my releases are: ‘Soul Machine’ on d-edge records, ‘True Light’ on light my fire and ’21’ on warung records. I just released ‘Folker’ on d-edge records and soon I will be releasing the ‘Homeboy EP’ with Pillow Talk on d-edge, and ‘My Woman’ on Radiola records. The Album ‘Black Belt’ is coming out on d-edge records, with 17 tracks with inspired by the Orient.

Starting a club in Campo Grande must have been difficult no? There was nothing before, so how could you know it will work?

From 1996 to 2000 I used to throw parties, in small scales to big ones with 10,000 people, so I was already getting the city ready for D-Edge, which was opened in 2000.

From there D-Edge went on to São Paulo, how did that come?

I was already coming to São Paulo to DJ and an opportunity to start the club popped up. I’m natural from São Paulo, and already knew the DJs and Promoters! D-edge runs in São Paulo for 10 years and the brand for 13 years.

D-Edge comes from pushing boundaries i guess, is this your motto in life in general too?

Of course, and I always seek to overcome and improve in all directions, at work, musically and my personal life. Always improving and making the best of it all.

D-Edge São Paulo Lounge space:

What sets D-Edge apart from other clubs?

D-Edge was one of the first clubs in the world to use led technology. The main points are the innovative design and architecture. It’s a club that inspired many and is also taken as a model around the world. On top of it all, we always focus on bringing the new and classic in our requirement of good music.

D-Edge São Paulo Dance Hall:

Now you got plans to expand to Rio, how is this going?

We are in full steam with our project in Rio de Janeiro, and we made first steps for an enterprise in Berlin.

Can you compare Rio and São Paulo musicwise?

São Paulo is more industrial, with a metropolis characteristic. Rio despite being a populous city, it’s a beach town, with a lot of black music and hip hop influence, and São Paulo is more techno.

Why is there so few brazilian producers or DJs with international recognition?

We had difficulties because of our geographic location, getting the right equipment, material and info. Nowadays we are living another moment in which everything is changing.

What is your connection with Warung, another institution in the brazilian electronic world?

I’m a partner of Warung and also a resident DJ.

Do you think the EDM hype damages the ‘honest’ electronic music scene? Is this why maybe Brazil is the big hope because the scene is quite fresh over there?

It damages in a sense that all the music that lacks quality gives a bad vision to the people that does not have much knowledge of good music. Compared with Europe and the United States yes, it is a new scene. Brazil is a growing country with many creative and happy people.

Renato Ratier in 20 years?

My life in the short, medium and long term:

Short: Opening a Restaurant / Studio in São Paulo called Bossa, opening D-Edge Rio de Janiero by end of the year, and a new project in Berlin by disclosing and encouraging good music, helping new producers to have highlighted opportunities. Uniting the arts by creating a union between graphical art, fashion and music.

Medium: Harvest the fruits from my projects, and also I will be returning to work with fashion and hospitality and also working with a lot of more projects.

Long: I pretend to be active and very healthy to continue. I will be working with all mentioned above and more.

And I hope to be taking care of my grandsons, as one of my sons is already 15 years old. But I will never be old, because I will be  always be young in Spirit.

We have absolutely no doubt about that, good luck with your projects and we would love to party in Berlin with you too!

To see and feel Renato live you got two very good options coming up, the 24th of August in Sankeys and one week later again, the 31st of August:

more info:

Renato Ratier // D-Edge