Ronnie Spiteri’s trajectory into the International spotlight is the stuff dreams are made of…From out of nowhere during summer 2016 Jamie Jones dropped Ronnie’s Thin & Crispy track (Do Not Sleep Recs) during a live BBC Radio 1 Essential mix broadcast from his notorious Paradise Party @ DC10, Ibiza. It was one of the most publically talked about tracks of that legendary mix broadcast. This was then followed up by Ronnie’s debut play on Pete Tong’s Essential Selection show where he was awarded the hugely sought after accolade of #EssentialNewTune for his ‘Multiply EP’ on Hot Since 82’s Knee Deep In Sound Imprint.
The Spiteri sound has been honed and crafted via his current global residency for the hugely popular brand of party starters Do Not Sleep. Ronnie is back in Ibiza this summer and has moved to the world famous Amnesia club continuing his residency for Do Not Sleep there playing alongside the likes of Alan Fitzpatrick, Charlotte de Witte, Reset Robot & more. 2018 was Ronnie’s strongest year yet, rolling into 2018 with a best selling track on ‘Knee Deep In Sound’ on Beatport, being signed up to the ever-impressive NGE artist roster, sold out show for EL Row in the UK, supporting Claude Von Stroke, Dj Mag print features, more new tracks signed to Alan Fitzpatrick’s ‘We Are The Brave’ and several new hot artist collabs bubbling away, which are set to take his artist pro le to new heights.
With his very own Kenja imprint going from strength to strength, already featuring Darius Syrossian, Markus Homm, Josh Butler & Reset Robot to name but a few and with a stacked release schedule already penciled the label is looking hot. Read the full interview we had with Ronnie below while listening his Egg London set.
WWD: Hey Ronnie, cheers for dropping us a sneak peek for your new EP ‘Tunnel Ride’ on Do Not Sleep which is out on the 31st May. They are a label and party you have been associated with for some time now – how did the relationship start?
The relationship started a while back, but I have Darius Syrossian to thank for this as it was really him that pulled me into the crew, which is where I then met Neil and Lisa who I now class as really close friends, as well as Mark Storie who manages me. It’s a great team to be a part of and the parties this summer look epic! Can’t wait for things to get kicked off in Ibiza.
WWD: Two remixes on this EP from VONDA7 and Francisco Allendes – how do you go about choosing artists to remix your originals? Is this a label lead choice or your own?
It’s a bit of both really, and it always depends on what the original track is too, as they need to know they love it and can bring something different and new to the release package. The label and I always discuss ideas when it comes to artists to remix on all my releases, and we agree on them together.
WWD: We see you’ll be in Ibiza on the 17th May for Do Not Sleep at Amnesia – kicking off the season already. You were a resident for them before, can you tell us anything about plans for this summer and if you’ll be back on the island regularly?
Yeah, I can’t wait to carry on with Do Not Sleep at Amnesia this summer. Last year was so good, and I am happy that they want to have be back again to be a part of the team! I have several dates with them and also will be playing Terminal 4 (Tronic) as a one off show at Eden this summer too.
WWD: RE Ibiza, what are you looking forward to the most about being on the island this year? And do you think there are some things which need to change on the island to help it sustain?
Getting back into the sunshine, seeing all my colleagues and friends and enjoying the pace of life in Ibiza! Of course, there is always someone you know on the island, as well as a great party to head out to. It’s quite a magical place and that’s why I think it’s still the top choice for so many people who want to hear good music and get a holiday at the same time. As for changes on the island, I would like to see the prices drop, but I think this is now becoming a very industry wide concern – it’s just not affordable for people to come for a week anymore. Its damaging to the industry I think, and encourages other places in Europe to start getting line up’s just as good, at much more affordable prices, in a new venues which people are excited to see.
WWD: Apart from Ibiza, you have a nice selection of events in the UK in the next couple of months, including your debut at Fabric alongside Alan Fitzpatrick. Of course, its legendary – do you feel this is an important club to play to solidify an artist’s career? And marks a milestone for you?
Fabric is a major bucket list check off for me! I am so thankful that Alan put me forward to play with him on his night, but I don’t want this to be a one-off show and will do my very best to make sure I play amazing and they hopefully invite me back!! I would love to build a relationship with the Fabric team and be a regular. It’s such a landmark club and means the world to every DK to get to play there at some point in their career. It’s gonna be an epic night!
WWD: Alan is another artist you have closely worked with, after releasing on his label We Are The Brave and playing his Fitzpatrick’s Day festival. No doubt the label is techno focused, have you toughened up your sound a little?
I would say that my sound is not really techno, or not as techno as others, but then again tech house isn’t really right at this stage of my career either. I am kind of in the middle of it all and fall between genres. It does work really well when playing with Alan and also the releases on his We Are The Brave label. I have been making tougher music of late, and I think you can hear this in my last few releases, but they always have some kind of house element, usually with some catchy vocals!
WWD: What else have you got planned for this year, and what are some of your key goals for 2019?
Yeah my release schedule is pretty packed out! I am happy about that. So, I have the next EP on Do Not Sleep coming out on the 31st May with the two remixes we mentioned, and then an EP on We Are The Brave as well as Knee Deep In Sound. I am taking a lot of time to work on my sets more and also curating my playlists for British Airways, which is something I am really excited to be doing since April.
As for touring, I have Fabric and Studio 338 in the UK, as well as a South America tour at the end of the year. I guess my key goals are to get a big remix finished for a big artist I have admired all my career, starting planning for 2020 and work on my own label.
Ronnie’s EP ‘Tunnel Ride’ is available on the 31st May on Do Not Sleep. Buy Here