Grey Bar Hotel is a Berlin-based melodic house label curated by Michael Ritter and Felix E. Alongside showcases in and outside of Germany, the imprint focuses on fostering local and international artists, working with Kamilo Sanclemente, Indigo Man, Supacooks, and many more since the label’s inception in 2018. A regular performer around Berlin, Michael Ritter has previously appeared on Stellar Black, YOMO Records, and Polyptych. Returning to his own Grey Bar Hotel for his latest release, the DJ/producer delivers four deep and moving tracks across the ‘Yawa Raf’ EP.
EG caught up with Michael Ritter to learn more about the drop of his ‘Yawa Raf’ EP, the Grey Bar Hotel imprint, his workflow, plans for the future, and more.
EG: Hello Michael! We’re very happy to have you here with us today. How have you been? Where are you right now?
Michael Ritter: Hey team. First of all, thanks for having me! It’s an honor! Currently, I’m in my hometown Berlin where we finally have some really warm days ahead. A lot is happening now in the city, day and night, and my label and I are happy to be a part of it. I can’t complain, really.
EG: Congratulations on the release of your new ‘Yawa Raf’ EP! What has the initial reception been like?
Michael Ritter: Thanks a lot! The initial reception has been overwhelming! We received feedback from DJs that I really look up to. The credit for this definitely goes to Dispersion PR who are helping us with this release, and they’ve truly done an incredible job so far. When I tested some of the tracks playing live, the crowd also showed very positive feedback, so I’m really looking forward to seeing ‘Yawa Raf’ available on all platforms!
EG: ‘Yawa Raf’ sounds quite unique…Is there a story behind this name? What inspired this particular piece?
Michael Ritter: ‘Yawa Raf’ – or ‘Far Away’ if you reverse it – represents a feeling of “Fernweh” (wanderlust), that I get when I spend too much time in Berlin, especially during the winter months, which was when I started working on the track.
EG: What will your fans find on this one? What can they expect, in musical terms?
Michael Ritter: My fans can expect a colorful mix of different styles, atmospheres, and emotions. The styles of my productions usually differ from one another, as I am still trying to identify core elements that I can use on a regular basis that could characterize my music. Though I am not trying to make each production fit a certain style, I rather just see if I feel the tracks myself, and if I do, I will share them.
“It is always great to see artists return to the label, which is good feedback for my label partner and me, to know that they would like to keep working with us, which we also like to do”
EG: And, of course, ‘Yawa Raf’ signals your return to your own Grey Bar Hotel imprint. How is the label doing? How has it evolved since its conception back in 2018?
Michael Ritter: We definitely had some highlights to look back to during the last years, but for the most part we were really just happy to work with so many amazing artists from all over the world. It is always great to see artists return to the label, which is good feedback for my label partner and me, to know that they would like to keep working with us, which we also like to do. Building a close community around the label was always the goal, and it will stay that way.
EG: ‘Yawa Raf’ also boasts a brand new look for Grey Bar Hotel. Will all covers follow along with that line from now on or is this just a one-off? What is the process for the artworks like?
Michael Ritter: The artwork for ‘Yawa Raf’ was done by Ilinca Barbato, a self-taught Berlin-based artist, and a close friend of mine. We are very happy to announce that she joins the Grey Bar Hotel crew as a graphic director, showing her talent in the first design for my release.
Each of her paintings represents an emotion and creates a deeper understanding of the world around her. Ilinca’s inspiration for the painting is based on the like-named title track of the ‘Yawa Raf’ EP, depicting a feeling of wanderlust and nostalgia.
If you want to support Ilinca, you can get a hard copy of the ‘Yawa Raf’ release art here.
EG: What does your studio look like at the moment? Did you pick up any new software or gear during the recording of the EP that you’d recommend?
Michael Ritter: The core of my setup is the Korg MS 20 Mini, which I use for basslines and high synths, like the one that you can hear in ‘Cassé’. I’ve added the Microfreak to my setup as well, mainly for pads & high synths, and it has now become a regular hardware element in most of my tracks. I’d definitely recommend the Microfreak to anyone looking for an affordable, but powerful synthesizer!
EG: What is your approach to the studio like? Do you have a sort of ‘blueprint’ for your workflow?
Michael Ritter: The only regular thing in my music production process is drinking coffee, to be honest. The rest is really spontaneous (or chaotic).
“Though I am not trying to make each production fit a certain style, I rather just see if I feel the tracks myself, and if I do, I will share them.”
EG: What’s next for Michael Ritter & Grey Bar Hotel in the next few months? What new milestones are you looking to celebrate?
Michael Ritter: On the weekend when ‘Yawa Raf’ drops, Grey Bar Hotel will be hosting a big showcase alongside two other labels by good friends of mine, Deep Tales & Dit Klingt Jut, at the unique Birgit Club in Berlin. The event will officially be part of the Berlin Dance Music Event nighttime program, so we are really happy to contribute and be part of it!
Aside from the events that are happening, we are also looking forward to bringing our fans amazing new music by artists returning to the label roster such as Kiantek & Garance, but also by new artists like Vanita, Mila Journée, and some others. Stay tuned!
EG: Thank you for your time, Michael! We wish you all the best for the future!
Michael Ritter: Thanks for having me! Same to you! Sending love to my girlfriend, my family, my team at Proton, and my friends out there!
Michael Ritter’s ‘Yawa Raf’ EP will be out on May 20th via Grey Bar Hotel. Purchase your copy here.
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