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Nightclubber live... with Hamdi Ryder
Hailing from Tunis, Hamdi Ryder has carved out a distinctive space in the underground electronic music scene. His journey began in high school as a hip-hop DJ, digging into samples that eventually led him to disco and house music. Today, his sound is a refined blend of deep house, UK garage, and groove-driven rhythms, shaped by years of crate-digging and musical exploration.
As the founder of Downtown Vibes, a movement that helped pioneer Tunisia’s underground electronic scene, and Eddisco Records, a vinyl-focused label and the only one and only record store in Tunis, Hamdi is deeply invested in nurturing talent and pushing quality sounds forward. He’s shared the stage with the likes of Christian AB and Luca Lozano, played across major European cities, and performed at some of Tunisia’s most renowned festivals.
For this exclusive mix, Hamdi recorded a set at Silbergold in Frankfurt, capturing the energy of one of his favourite clubs. Expect a seamless journey through house-infused rhythms, unreleased gems, and his signature touch.
You recently recorded a mix for us from Silbergold Club in Frankfurt—what was the inspiration behind it, and how did you approach selecting tracks for the set?
Silbergold is a fantastic venue in Frankfurt, and this was my second time playing there for Tanz In Frankfurt. The vibe is all about house, deep house, and UK garage, which aligns perfectly with my sound. I also included some of my own unreleased tracks.
Growing up in Tunisia, what were your earliest musical influences, and how did they shape your sound today?
When I first started DJing in high school, I was a hip-hop DJ. Digging into the samples used in hip-hop records led me to disco, and from there, I discovered house music—that’s where the journey truly began.
Your alias, ‘Ryder’, has a distinctive feel—what’s the story behind the name, and how does it reflect your artistic identity?
The inspiration mainly came from a character in GTA: San Andreas, a game I played a lot during my teenage years.
You’ve played in cities like Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, and Barcelona—how does the energy and crowd differ in each, and do you have a favourite place to perform?
Each city has its own vibe, and every gig has a unique crowd. You just have to feel the energy of each place and experiment with that in your sets. My favourite city to perform in over the last few years has definitely been Frankfurt.
You’ve been involved in the Tunisian music scene for a while now. How would you describe its evolution, and what do you hope for its future?
The Tunisian music scene has evolved significantly since the 2011 revolution, with more venues and festivals dedicated to electronic music—something that was rare before. In 2013, we launched Downtown Vibes as DIY rooftop parties at my house, marking the beginning of an underground movement in Tunis and beyond. This inspired more collectives to get involved, each contributing in their own way. Today, more young artists and crews are embracing electronic music, but there’s still a lack of dedicated clubs. Hopefully, we’ll see more venues opening in the coming years.
Running your own label, Downtown Vibes, must be a big responsibility. What’s your vision for the label, and how do you go about discovering new talent?
Downtown Vibes grew alongside me and some close friends. Our vision has always been to curate high-quality underground house music events in unexpected locations, featuring lineups that blend established local and international artists with emerging talent. Each event is designed to offer a unique experience, making every gathering special.
In addition to Downtown Vibes, you’re also the co-founder and label manager of Eddisco Records—how do you balance the two, and what do you look for when signing artists?
Eddisco Records is both an appointment-only record store and a label. I spend most of my week there, curating and selling second-hand records to customers from Tunis and around the world. On the label side, my work revolves around finalising releases, mastering, and handling artist relations. My partner, Yassine Hammar, co-founder of the label, helps manage various aspects of the operation. We’re always on the lookout for talented local artists from Tunisia and beyond, promoting their sound through Eddisco Records and booking them for our Downtown Vibes events.
Is running a label your full-time pursuit, or do you juggle it with other work in music?
Music is my full-time job.
We really loved your Offbeat Dreams EP. Can you tell us about the creative process behind it and what inspired the tracks?
Offbeat Dreams is one of my favourite releases, truly defining my sound. Each track has its own distinct vibe, yet they all share a common thread—the groove. Every piece reflects an era or genre that has shaped my sound over the years, blending influences into a cohesive journey.
