Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Ryan Hill is an accomplished DJ and producer who has gained recognition for his diverse and innovative productions.
Since releasing his first EP, he has established a reputation on influential labels such as Katermukke, Jannowitz, Awen, Beatfreaks, and Dear Deer. His tracks consistently climb the Beatport Top 100 Hype Genre Charts, and renowned artists like K.A.L.I.L and Maksim Dark have remixed his work.
With a sound that combines melodic techno with psychedelic influences, Ryan draws inspiration from various genres, ranging from deep house to indie dance. This diverse mix enables him to create carefully curated sets and productions that are dynamic, diverse, and consistently energetic.
Ryan Hill’s latest EP, ‘Indigo,’ is now available on all major streaming platforms. The EP showcases a fusion of melodic techno and indie dance across three tracks.
In an exclusive interview with EG, Ryan Hill delves deeper into his creative process, influences, and upcoming projects.
EG: Hi, Ryan! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?
Ryan Hill: I’ve been great, thanks! I’m currently in my hometown of Cape Town, South Africa. Fresh off an amazing holiday season of gigs!
EG: Congratulations on your upcoming release on Katermukke! Can you give us a glimpse into the creative process behind this EP and any unique challenges or inspirations you encountered?
Ryan Hill: My inspirations come from all over the place. I appreciate electronic music and all its various sub-genres and am influenced by anything that sounds good to me. This EP happened over the course of two months and was made with Katermukke firmly in mind! Of the seven songs I produced, these were the three that made the cut. Interestingly, though, ‘Ethosa’ was made a year ago after a trip to the Namibian desert but was picked up again and finished for this.
EG: How did you connect with Katermukke?
Ryan Hill: I first released on Katermukke through a V.A. Compilation with the Pangea festival about a year or two ago. I ended up releasing on one more compilation with them (With You Festival V.A) before making contact to try for a full EP.
EG: Do you have any favorites from their catalog?
Ryan Hill: Anything from Dirty Doering or Matchy, that’s for sure. But Vanita and Still & Bense have recently released some great songs on the label.
EG: Your music spans across various genres. How do you navigate these diverse influences while maintaining a consistent energy and sound in your sets and productions?
Ryan Hill: As cliché as it sounds, I don’t like the idea of conforming to a specific genre or ruleset. I like a mixture of it all, tied together by musicality and, of course, danceability. If it’s a good song musically and it makes you dance, I’ll take inspiration from it or play it in a set. Yes, it has to be consistent and similar to my overall sound, but it doesn’t have to be rigid. A good song is a good song, regardless of genre, and inspiration can strike from ANYWHERE.
“I really don’t like the idea of having to conform to a specific genre or ruleset.”
EG: How do you approach the production of a track, and what advice do you have for emerging artists looking to make a mark?
Ryan Hill: Sometimes a song will develop in my head for a few days; maybe I’ll hum the tune and record it on my iPhone. Other times, I’ll go out with a specific vibe in mind for a particular label. And sometimes, it will just happen spontaneously. I guess my advice is to find a balance between all of that. You want to be free and creative, but you also have to understand that certain labels have a specific sound they desire, and certain trends should be embraced, not avoided, as long as you maintain your artistry.
EG: Collaborations seem to be a significant part of your journey. How do these collaborations come about, and what do you enjoy most about working with other artists in the electronic music scene?
Ryan Hill: Some, if not most, are producers and friends, so it’s natural. Two fellow producers just making contact, and often something awesome happens. Sometimes we’ll send a part of the song and the other person finishes it, other times it starts off in the studio. However, I will confess I can be a control freak sometimes when it comes to art, so I am learning to embrace more collaborations.
EG: How do you envision the evolution of your sound in the future, and are there any new elements or styles you are eager to explore?
Ryan Hill: I would say I definitely want it to keep evolving until I find my sweet spot, a version of electronic dance music that is distinctly mine: hard and dancey but also melodic and progressive. I believe songs, regardless of their purpose or genre, should always have musicality, such as melodies, progressions, a hook, and a theme. My biggest goal is to merge that with the hypnotic repetition, danceability, and simplicity of Techno/Dance music.
EG: Being based in Cape Town, South Africa, how does the local scene influence your music?
Ryan Hill: Despite being on the other side of the world, we have an extremely vibrant festival and party scene. Sure, it has its flaws, and it’s growing, but by most standards, we have everything. Amazing venues, international acts, good production, and, most importantly, a large population of South Africans and tourists who just want to party! Haha. So it really has allowed me to shape my sound, as I get to play in such incredible settings. South Africans live and breathe this party scene, and that certainly helps us as DJs/Producers.
EG: Where should we go when visiting your hometown? Are there any special places, bars, or venues?
Ryan Hill: Cape Town is renowned for its mountains and beaches. So, definitely do that. Then, choose a festival, head out to the countryside, and dance in the sun. You might also want to experience a traditional South African Meat Braai (barbecue) at someone’s house. As for clubs, both Halo and Modular Club offer unique experiences and regularly host many international DJs.
EG: As a DJ and producer, you’ve had a dynamic journey so far. Can you share a memorable moment or performance that has significantly shaped your perspective on music and the industry?
Ryan Hill: Despite my relatively short time performing at festivals (around four years), I’ve been fortunate to play alongside many incredible local and international artists, from Victor Ruiz to Julian Jeweil to Hidden Empire and NoNameLeft. I’ve had many truly incredible moments. However, my most memorable highlight occurred recently: playing at Origin festival featuring Raxon and Kasper Koman. I performed to about one and a half thousand enthusiastic ravers on a Saturday night deep in the forest, with a massive sound system. It felt special and reminded me why I do this. A week later, I unexpectedly ended up going back-to-back with Raxon at Halo Nightclub, which was the perfect way to top it all off.
“My focus is on producing more music and performing in Europe for the first time.”
EG: Beyond your musical endeavors, what personal interests or hobbies contribute to your overall creativity and well-being?
Ryan Hill: My life mostly revolves around my dog and my girlfriend, haha. I’m an avid runner, so a lot of my off-time is spent wandering the mountains, beaches, and trails with my dog. Besides that, I am a huge nerd and enjoy playing geeky MMO-RPG games with my friends to blow off some steam.
EG: What goals and aspirations do you have for your career in the coming years, and how do you see your artistic identity evolving?
Ryan Hill: I still have a lot of work to do and goals to achieve! But, I have my first booking secured for Berlin at Kit Kat Club this upcoming European summer through BOHO and Somnambul, so right now, my focus is on producing more music and performing in Europe for the first time, hopefully picking up more and more gigs on that side when the time comes.
EG: Thanks for the time, Ryan, and all the best!
Ryan Hill: Thanks for having me!
Ryan Hill’s ‘Indigo’ is out now. Stream and download here.
Follow Ryan Hill: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
