Victor Ruiz

With his deeply resonant appreciation for music, Victor Ruiz has established himself as a dynamic selector with the ability to craft compelling sets full of vigor and vibrancy. Born in Brazil and currently based in Lisbon, he has been a constant presence on the world stage since 2013 and is widely regarded for his mesmerizing DJ performances, appearing at a long list of influential events. In the studio he is equally adept, releasing a steady flow of first-rate techno productions all of which encapsulate his distinct flair for musicality and energy. Victor is also the founder of Volta Records, his fledgling imprint, which is already picking up widespread support from many of techno’s most prominent figures. Hard working, innately talented and driven by his deep-rooted passion, Victor Ruiz is the product of a lifetime dedicated to music. From his brother’s love for heavy metal to being gifted a bass guitar at the age of nine, Victor’s musical roots go deep. In his late teens he quit formal education to study electronic music production when he reached university. Numerous influences shaped his early vision (Daft Punk, MTV, Fruity Loops…) and equipped him with the skills to progress, leading to his first DJ gigs. Without decks at home to practice on, the ambitious selector learned to DJ ‘in-the-field’ at clubs, gaining real-world experience from the get go and refining his craft in often very challenging situations. Victor’s profile in Brazil exploded when he produced a big hit and his upwards trajectory really began to kick in. By 2009 his success led to bookings at many of the country’s biggest festivals, including Lollapalooza Brazil, Tribaltech, Tribe Festival, XXXperience Festival and Kaballah Festival with regular gigs at venues like Clash Club. Through these appearances he connected with numerous international selectors and started getting his music out to a wider audience. Early supporters included Stephan Bodzin and Hernan Cattaneo. In 2013 his first European trip came through; a two-week tour including shows in Germany and Norway. This pivotal booking changed the course of his life, opening his eyes to Europe’s progressive club culture. Over the next five years his international profile boomed and he started picking up more bookings in Europe than he was in Brazil. A move to Berlin in 2018 was the next logical step, followed by a period in Amsterdam, back to Berlin and finally Lisbon. The Portuguese capital has provided a nourishing environment for Victor to settle and enjoy warmer climes, great for mood, creativity and relaxation. Key ingredients for any artist who tours on a regular basis. During the global pandemic of 2020 Victor took positive steps to counter the lack of work, setting up the Victor Ruiz Masterclass. Through his endeavors he connected with a broad range of artists, from newcomers to more experienced producers, who all wanted guidance. This shift into teaching sparked the birth of his label, Volta Records. A call out to his network of creatives resulted in a two-hour mix, which was full of so much good music, Victor was inspired to realize an ambition he’d had for a decade - to launch his own outlet. Since its launch in October 2022, the label has already been home to chart-topping releases with Andata’s ‘Play Hard’ flying high on the Beatport charts, plus Victor’s own ‘Touch The Darkness’ also achieving a Top 10 spot and staying there for several months. In keeping with the theme of Victor’s work to help others, there are three key pillars at the foundation of Volta: Music, Charity and Community. This themes is embodied in the name of the label itself, Volta. Portuguese for “Give Back” and de volta means circular, representing the ethos of the label perfectly - giving back to the culture that has blessed Victor with his dream life, and nurturing a cyclical process of creativity between his crew of artists. From his base in Europe, Victor has been able to explore the globe with a packed diary of gigs all over the world from New Zealand to Israel, Turkey to the USA, Portugal, Denmark and Argentina. Appearances at globally-renowned festivals such as Tomorrowland and Boom demonstrate his high profile, while demand in North America means he is crossing the Atlantic on a regular basis. Inspired by the people he meets, and plays to, every single week, the Brazilian artist appreciates the simple things in life which is reflected in an unfussy approach to his craft. A consummate professional, Victor delivers powerful performances with every show, aiming to challenge and entertain the dance floor in equal measure. Thanks to his formative years, where he learned everything about DJing through first-hand experience, Victor displays a level of skill, dynamism and gut instinct that is innate. In the studio, his playful attitude has led to a series of notable releases on labels including Drumcode, Noir Music, Suara, Senso Sounds and many more, taking pride of place alongside his exceptional collection of edits - including The Prodigy’s ‘Breathe’ and Depeche Mode’s classic ‘Everything Counts’. The sound he creates is a mix of all his influences; with his distinctive musicianship comprising basslines and melodies that are directly influenced by all the music he listens to - most of which is not techno, by the way. His unique productions are part of his identity, intrinsically connected to who he is. If you want to know Victor Ruiz more intimately, listen to his music and you’ll discover what this talented artist is all about.