In conversation with Rubén Baiz ahead of his next Haptic Records release

Haptic Records strike with a powerful, but deep, selection of tracks for their second ever release!

Rubén Baiz, the visionary writer and composer behind the album, starts us off with an original track "Gone For Love" that deeply resonates with the listener, delivering an emotive experience.

Following this, we are treated to a stunning, stripped-back dub remix from the UK's renowned Jake Beautyman, who infuses his personal flair into the heart of the EP... creating a beautifully intimate soundscape.

To close this album off, Rubén offers two mesmerising 'Dub' edits that infuse his signature deep, rolling tech house groove. This EP is not just music but a collection of powerful tools for DJs, capturing the essence of the night culture.

We're glad to have Ruben to chat about his upcoming release.Read on to find out more about him and head over to our Soundcloud to listen the premiere of 'Gone For Love'

Hey Rubén! Great to be chatting here. Before we begin, can you please introduce yoursel? And how would you describe your sound to someone unfamiliar with your music?

My name is Rubén Baiz, and I am a DJ and producer from Worthing Town.
I'd like to say that my music is oriented around the sounds of Deep House, Minimal, and Tech House. This is the main area where you'd find me, but I love soulful funky house too and jazzy beats. It's always fun to whip that into a set; it adds a touch of flavor every now and then.

I started out producing and eventually got into DJing, where my brother really showed me the ropes. I owe him, hahaha. But yeah, producing always grabbed my attention.

I used to play in bands a lot in college and uni, which I loved, but I always told myself that electronic dance music hits different. So after the band split, I decided to dedicate myself to the craft. And here I am today with my second release on my own label, which I am super happy about.

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your latest track "Gone For Love" on your label, Haptic Records?

Well, this track was actually written a while ago, and I always had an attachment to it. Finishing it was one of my goals as it had a great response in my 100% Rubén Baiz mix, but I couldn't get into the right headspace nor see where this kind of sound would fit. This is half of the reason I started my own label, so I could represent my own distinctive sound.

After giving it some time, I've recently been digging the sounds from Deep Progressive NYC House and the rawness of Chicago beats, which allowed me to see this track in a different light. This gave me the inspiration to finish it and add two stripped-back edits for those DJs who like using tools in their sets.

Can you tell us too about the creative process. Do you always set out to make a certain track? Or how does that usually work? 

When I approach making music, I always like to dive straight in and not think about it too much, drawing from my subconscious and previous clubbing experiences. My references are always from the “night before,” and I try my best to replicate that in my own style.

But yeah, the creative process is always changing, mixing up the order of the palette. At the moment, I like trying to create a phrase of music first, then adding the rhythm in. But this can all depend on which side of the bed I wake up on, haha.

Jake Beautyman provided a stripped-back dub remix of "Gone For Love. Tell us a bit about how you know Jake. 

Jake and I met a few years back in Brighton, where he was playing for a party called System, alongside Terry Francis and some other brilliant artists. It was an absolutely wicked night, and when I heard Jake play, it was so refreshing to see such a unique talent, especially his energy behind the decks. It was something else.

This was also a massive turning point for me as an artist because it was a time when I was being introduced to the early UK tech house scene by a good friend of mine. Without him, I probably wouldn’t have gone to that party, hahaha. The rest is history.

Do you generally give artists free reign on remixes? Or did you ask he do something in keeping with your style? Do you think it’s important to give the remixer direction or let them go their own way?  

Yes, I'd never like to tell an artist what they should or shouldn't do, as everyone has a different creative mind. I feel that putting restrictions or even suggesting a certain direction can throw the artist off balance and not allow them to fully express their unique touch.

Remixing is an art, and I always like seeing a twist on the original—something that surprises me, something I wouldn't think of doing. This is the main reason why I give artists free rein.

Tell us about working with the likes of Tzinah and Beeyou etc - how did these come to pass? 

These were two brilliant releases that I thoroughly enjoyed creating and being a part of.

Beeyou was the first of the two, and it came about when I was in Ibiza. It was quite funny, actually. I think I was around 17 at the time, just scratching the surface of dance music and not really having a clue on how to structure a full track, but we made it work. It's actually one of my favorite tunes as it really shows how fearless I was. You are when you are that age, I guess—fully experimenting and not allowing any judgment to get in the way of the creative process.

Anyways, I met Jamie Manion in Sankeys, and he was preparing the label's first VA. He asked if I wanted to put a track on it, and of course, I was over the moon to touch ground with a label that has grown so much, especially being so young as well. At that time, I loved minimal music, like the Rominimal beats that were coming out strong from Romania—massive inspirations.

Tzinah came much later. I think the owner, Primărie, was playing my tracks from Wonderground. The Romanians seemed to be playing those a lot at the time, and yeah, he just asked me to come onboard. It was nice to be recognized by such a great artist.

This is just the second release on Haptic. What’s the ultimate aim for the label? What other labels do you look to for inspiration? 

Yes, it's early days for the label, and it's super exciting as we have a lot planned for the rest of the year. Our ultimate aim is to add our own touch and flair to the dance scene. I know there's a lot out there right now, and it's consistently getting more saturated, but what I do know is that we have something special here.

We have more releases and brilliant remixers coming through for the ongoing growth of the label, as well as a label showcase that we will be announcing in the coming weeks. Label inspirations and brands such as Cocoon, Visionquest, One Records, and Toy Tonics are just a few of those I think have really smashed it. I want to create something that stands the test of time, something that I am truly proud of and stand by.

Can you share a memorable experience or feedback you’ve received from a fellow DJ or fan about your music that really motivated you to keep pushing forward? 

I've had a few recognisable moments in my short time in this game, but one that really stuck with me was when I went to Sunwaves for the first time. Two of my tracks were played: the first by Archie Hamilton and the second by Petre Inspirescu.

I was walking back into the festival when I heard that low-end bassline from ‘Just Like Me’ - Wonderground in temt 2. It was absolute madness. I was going crazy at the time, and he could clearly tell it was me who made the track, so he called me up behind the decks, and we had a shot of tequila together.

The second moment was at Tent 4 during one sunrise when the legend himself played my Cassie edit, the stripped-back rework. I was lost for words. I was only about 20 at the time, so this was a proper achievement for me. 

How do you stay inspired and innovative in the fast-paced world of electronic music?

This is a tough one. As an artist, it's always hard to keep the momentum, especially with the social media business that we have to stay on top of. It drains you and doesn’t always allow you to be yourself. However, I’d say that going out is the best form of release for me. I love immersing myself in the music, meeting new people, and finding the inspiration to keep going with the music. It’s the only kind of purpose I can relate to.

What advice would you give to aspiring DJs and producers looking to make their mark in the industry?

I've always thought pushing yourself is important, but I feel that it's equally important to take time with the process. Developing yourself as an artist takes patience and dedication, so relax and enjoy the journey. Discover new music and experiment as much as you can, because the early stages can be the most exciting part of the whole process.

I’d also like to add: make music for yourself. What I mean by that is, if you start to try and replicate and mimic others, you won’t create anything new. The industry needs fresh ideas; we need them to thrive and grow. So if you feel you're onto something that you can’t quite explain, stick with it, because that’s when you're really onto something.

Can you talk about a challenging moment in your career and how you overcame it?

I think it's all challenging in itself—the principle of pushing and testing new boundaries is what it’s all about. One moment that instantly comes to mind is when I took over and closed after Shonky. The nerves were real, and for me, it was a big moment. The rush was like no other, but I had an incredible time and really understood what it takes to play at that level on such big sound systems. DJing truly is an art. Maintaining the composure that some of these professionals have upheld for a long time is a skill. It truly is.

What other artists or genres outside of electronic music influence what you do? 

I love a wide variety of music genres and cultures. I dedicate my understanding of music to my mum. She was, and still is, a soul queen. Cooking was a strong influence while I was growing up, and when dinner time came around, the in-house sound system was always blaring. We listened to everything from soul, funk, disco, salsa, and rock, to all sorts of electronic grooves, lounge house, deep house—the list goes on. My mum and I always talk and listen to music for hours on end. Without her, I don’t think I would have developed such a refined taste.

Can you discuss any upcoming projects or releases you’re excited about on Haptic Records or other labels?

We’re delighted to announce our launch party at Star Lane Pizza Bar on 15/09/24.

Stay tuned for more info by following us on Haptic Records

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Keep up with Rubén Baiz on https://www.instagram.com/rubenbaiiz/?hl=en

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Listen/buy to the release at https://soundcloud.com/rubenbaiz

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