Contributing Writer
1. Hi Manuel, thanks for taking the time to speak with us today. How did your year begin?
My 2026 started with intense energy and a very clear direction. The first weeks of the year saw me busy with numerous dates all over Italy, strengthening my presence in clubs and reinforcing the bond with the dancefloor. At the same time, I embarked on my first Asian tour, with stops in Thailand and Bali — an experience that further expanded my musical vision and artistic journey on an international level. New environments, new cultures, the same sonic identity: a constant search, without compromise.
2. You have a new release coming out on Motel Calypso, “Traigo Mi Flow.” Can you tell us more about the track and the inspiration behind it?
Traigo Mi Flow is an energetic and hypnotic tech house track, built on a solid, driving groove that grabs the dancefloor from the very first drop. Warm, deep basslines intertwine with sharp percussion and rhythms strongly influenced by Latin vibes, while a bold and repetitive vocal hook conveys attitude, confidence, and pure flow. Designed for the club and for moments of maximum connection with the crowd, Traigo Mi Flow blends a minimal approach with a powerful groove, making it an ideal weapon for peak-time sets and underground dancefloors. A direct track, with no frills, delivering energy, identity, and movement: once it drops, the flow is guaranteed.
3. You’ve released important tracks on labels such as Sola, Clarisse, La Pera, and now Motel Calypso. Do you feel your sound has evolved with each release?
Every year, I feel a constant evolution, both in my DJ sets and in my productions. I’m always searching for a sound that truly represents me: authentic, essential, and consistent with my artistic vision. My goal isn’t just to release music, but to create a real connection — reaching people through digital platforms, but above all, transmitting energy in clubs, where everything takes shape and becomes a shared experience. The journey is in constant transformation. The sound evolves, along with me.
4. You are a Manager / Artist Liaison at Tantra Ibiza, where you host international artists like Joseph Capriati, Marco Faraone, and Iglesias. How does managing the club and witnessing these artists perform influence your music?
I hold a position of great responsibility within Tantra Ibiza. I’m not the artistic director, but I work closely with Raffaele Calabrò and Davide Alfieri in selecting the best artists and taking care of their experience when they perform at our club. Experiencing this level of professionalism and vision firsthand is a fundamental artistic stimulus for me. Working with the best is a continuous learning process: it teaches you discipline, sensitivity, and awareness of sound. It’s a journey that allows me to dig deeper into my artistic identity, refine my vision, and transform my essence into authentic music, capable of speaking to the dancefloor in a direct and sincere way. Privacy was born in 2019 with the idea of creating an authentic and extremely exclusive concept. The initial goal was to define a space where I could fully express my sonic identity within a recognizable party, while also offering a concrete platform to emerging artists eager to perform in Ibiza. Over the years, the project evolved. Entering Tantra Ibiza, together with the ownership and management, marked a new phase: a structured and conscious rebranding, designed to bring the format to the highest level of artistic and communicative potential.
5. You also organize your own party at Tantra, “Privacy.” Can you tell us how the event was born and how this night began?
Privacy thus became a meeting point between new promises of the underground scene and international guests, maintaining a coherent musical direction while expanding its vision. At the same time, together with Dino Brown, we developed a mini-format titled “Pillole da Ibiza”: a project that tells the story of the island’s evolution through music, retracing its sonic identity and cultural transformation over the past 30–40 years. A journey that brings together roots, vision, and the future.
6. Living and working in Ibiza, you’re constantly surrounded by music. How do you think the scene has changed over the years? What kind of music do people want to hear today?
Living and working in Ibiza means being immersed in music 24/7. Here, you immediately sense when something is changing: the crowd, the energy, the direction of the sound. Over the years, the scene has become more global and faster. In the past, there was a strong identity tied to resident DJs and long nights patiently built; today, everything is more immediate, more exposed, and more influenced by social media and digital platforms. Music travels faster, and trends are born and fade within a few months. At the same time, I’ve noticed a return to the search for authenticity. After years heavily focused on “big room” sounds and instant impact, many people are rediscovering the value of groove, depth, and curated selection. They want to hear a DJ tell a story, not just deliver a sequence of drops. Today’s audience is more aware. At big events, they look for spectacle and energy, but in clubs and more intimate settings, they seek real connection — they want to feel part of something. Minimal, more refined tech house, hypnotic, and groove-driven sounds are becoming central again because they allow you to create a journey, not just a moment. Ibiza remains a thermometer: it constantly changes its skin, but those who manage to maintain a personal and coherent vision always find their space. In the end, what people truly seek isn’t just a musical genre, but an authentic dancefloor experience.
7. The music industry is constantly evolving. What are the main challenges of working in such a fast-paced environment? Do you always manage to find time for your music?
Today, the music industry moves at an impressive speed. Trends change rapidly, attention spans are fragmented, and everything often feels urgent: new releases, new content, new gigs. The main challenge, especially for those coming from an underground vision, is staying centered — not getting dragged into the urgency of the moment, but protecting your artistic identity. It’s easy to chase what works in the short term; it’s much harder to build a coherent long-term path. For me, the key is balance. Working in such a fast-paced environment requires discipline, organization, and a clear vision of where you want to go. But at the same time, you need to know when to slow down, take space, and listen. I always find time for my music because I consider it a priority, not a secondary activity. Even during the busiest periods between clubs, travel, and organization, I carve out moments for study and production. That’s where I recharge and reconnect with the deeper meaning of everything. Today, I feel more artistically aware and fulfilled: I don’t feel the need to prove anything, only to evolve. I keep working with ambition, but also with calm. Music isn’t just my job — it’s my language. And when that’s clear, you always find the time to give it the space it deserves.
8. It’s been a pleasure talking to you! What are your plans for the rest of the year?
The pleasure was mine. I can honestly say I’m in the best moment of my career. This winter has been intense: I dedicated most of my time to the studio, working with discipline and focus, pushing my sonic identity even deeper. In the coming months, many important releases will come out on leading labels in the scene, and several tracks are already receiving support from some of the world’s most influential DJs. It’s incredibly rewarding to see your work recognized and played in international clubs and festivals. At the same time, my calendar is already packed with dates at major European clubs, where I can fully express my musical vision and continue building an authentic connection with the dancefloor. A very significant season in Ibiza is also on the horizon, both from a personal and artistic perspective, and for my party Privacy, which is entering a phase of great maturity and consolidation. It’s a period of growth, awareness, and ambition. The work done over the years is taking shape — and the best is yet to come.
Manuel Ribeca