Interview: Five minutes with Rijell

Electronic musician Rijell released his latest single ‘One Chance’ on 14 February 2020 via Auereon Records. The single has received a feature from the renowned CLASH Magazine and he has worked with established artists such as 3LAU, Starkillers, Domeno, and artist UNEK. Last year the artist released a total of eight singles. He has been featured on famous Youtube channels Mr Shades and Cakes & Eclairs, and his music has been streamed over one million times across streaming platforms. DJ 3LAU has featured Rijell’s remix of ‘It Is Love’ in all of his performances for the past three years. Rijell has also performed on the biggest electronic stages including Ile Soniq Festival (The Chainsmokers, Marshmello, Zedd, Skrillex), Villa Paradizo Festival (Sander Van Doorn, Thomas Gold, FTampa) and New City Gas With 3LAU (Justin Caruso and Prince Fox). 

We wanted to find out more about the Canadian Electronic musician that is collaborating and forming relationships with some big names in the Electronic society. He considers himself a “DIY artist” as he sings his songs, plays all the instruments featured in his tracks, as well as mixing and mastering his final works.  

Set the tone for us. Why the arts?

The arts involve creation and they bring emotions.

Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?

The idea.

Does your material feature any collaborations?

I have a few collaborations but I mostly have solo songs.

What’s on your current playlist?

Sixto Rodriguez, Blink 182, Elvis Presley, Machine Gun Kelly, OnCue.

Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.

Whenever I see they connect with the show, I find myself making a lot of eye contact, with a lot of gratitude.

What techniques do you experiment with to get your original sound?

Lately, I like to use multi-vocal layering to give more roundness to the vocals!

Take us through a day in the recording studio.

Usually, it starts with playing around with my instruments until I find something that catches my attention. If not, then I go through some projects I’ve worked on and sometimes just a specific part of the song brings up ideas in a very interesting way. From there, I play around with what I come up with and try to brainstorm as many ideas since they are emotions lived on the spot.

Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “this is what I want to do”?

Yes, that one time I went on the mainstage of Ile Soniq Festival. From this moment I knew that this is what I wanted to experience and feel in my life.

What do you keep close by while you’re playing a set?

I like to always keep a significant object from someone close.

Any emerging artists on your radar?

OnCue, AlienEmoji, Decent.

What gets your creative juices flowing?

One promising/inspiring idea/melody. I only need to find the first significant element of the song to keep me going and build up ideas around it!

Take us through your collection of gear, tech or software that accompanies your creative expression.

To be honest I have the minimum required and this is pretty much all I need. I use my computer, my headphones, my midi keyboard, my guitar, and my piano. All of this in my room!

Any side projects you’re working on?

Yes. I have some acoustic and RNB/Trap projects coming. Still trying to figuring out how I will approach this!

How have you refined your craft since you entered the industry?

I have put myself in a bubble, a focus zone, where I would listen to a few songs and make sure that I don’t try to replicate anything that has been created already.

Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?

A lot more music, some more collaborations and at least one EP (maybe two).

Famous last words?

Keep on believing no matter what.
Code for ‘One Chance’   

Follow Rijell:

Facebook – Twitter – Soundcloud  – Instagram – Youtube – Spotify