Q&A: Riva Starr talks culinary regrets, comedy polka and strange skin conditions

With his unique cut n paste of styles, Stefano Miele - aka Riva Starr - is one of the hottest and most recognisable DJs around today.

No genre is safe from the Riva treatment, with the inventive DJ having sampled everything from Latin, to Balkan, to Charleston.

Having smashed the Radio One Big Weekend Afterparty to bits earlier this year, Riva returns once again to the scene of the crime to help Uber celebrate their 5th birthday with Friendly Fires, Carl Craig and Krysko.

We caught up with him for a quick Q&A before the weekend's madness. We don't think he took the task very seriously - but we still love him nonetheless.

How has your year been? What’s been most exciting?

I’ve been mostly depressed at home. Not seeing anyone for the last 12 months. Never left home not even to buy bread and milk. Most exciting thing for me was a few weeks ago when my neighbour knocked on my door asking for some spare leaves of basil. Wow I was super excited. That’s how life goes.

How often do you spend preparing for a DJ gig? Where do you look for new music?

I never rest, my ears are always ready to spot nu shit. Well the good thing of the digital era is that the new music look for me!

How have you evolved musically since you first emerged, or do you like the same things now you did then?

Well I started several years ago playing comedy polka in a local band... I still play comedy polka but worldwide now… call me boring.

How’s the label doing? What have been the proudest moments for you so far?

Label is doing GREAT! Proudestest moment was when my mum asked me to release a song from the local church chorus. Good times.

How do you unearth new talents like Pirupa? Do you go looking for them or…?

They usually knock on my door or call me trying to sell me some bullshit, then I tell them 'Why don't you try and make music? You never know.' And they turn into amazing ones.

Any word on a new full length from you?

YES! Ok I told you way too much already…

How did you enjoy the process now you look back? Would you do anything different this time round?

Yes I would maybe put more salt on my infamous Parmigiana next time, people should learn a lot from bad mistakes innit?

What else you got coming up?
 

Some strange red dots on my face. Gotta go and have a check!

What should people expect at Uber?
 

Stagediving! (from other djs of course)

Who are you outside of music day to day?

A dick. Ah shit it’s not April Fools?

Catch Riva Starr at Uber's 5th Birthday this Saturday 19th November in Carlisle.

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