Rui da Silva, ‘the Portuguese Pistol’, ‘an old school legend’ and ‘Portugal’s most precious export’, many things have been said about this man, mainly the two latter, as I am the only one who has ever referred to him as the Portuguese pistol, nonetheless I’m sticking with my guns and believe the title is justified. Silva has been battering tribal/house sets for the lairiest part of two decades, with support coming from the likes of Godfather and overall top bloke, Danny Tenaglia. Anyway, time for a word with the man himself. Let’s give him a warm Glaswegian, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Shortbread welcome… Rui Da Silva.
Hello there Rui, here’s your quick fire questions. Can we call you, ‘ The Portuguese Pistol? ‘
Sure why not, I hope it’s a compliment!
It’s been over 20 years since your first project ‘The Underground Sound of Lisbon’, what keeps you inspired nowadays?
The realisation that there is still so much I want to learn and do music-wise… its a never ending chase of knowledge and fulfilment. The more I learn the more I realise what I don’t know yet…
Let’s talk tracks, ‘So Get Up’ was a massive hit for you, have you produced any tracks you believe have not received the credit that you might of anticipated?
Plenty of them, I always take much care of the tracks I produce, looking after them like my children and always wish them the best when they are unleashed to the wide world. If you want an example just listen to ‘On My Mind’.
Tell us two tracks you wish you had produced?
Billy Jean and I Feel Love are two productions I wish I had produced.
Best/worst parts about a dj’s lifestyle? Apart from the obvious… Getting away with wearing sunglasses in doors…
Worst part of a DJ life for me must be the constant disruption on the studio work flow and the food while travelling can also be daunting. The best part is the fact that you get to see people reacting to your music, especially your own productions and its very valuable feedback to be able to bring it back to the studio and tweak the song further…
Touch Me in the Morning was the infamous line from one of your breakout tracks, preferably I like to hit the snooze button on my alarm clock in the morning, what is the first thing you touch?
In the morning…either a cup of tea or my iPhone to check what I missed while asleep.
Can you give us three dance classic tracks that will let our Sub Rosa following know what to expect from your upcoming set?
Obviously Touch Me, also Underground Sound Of Lisbon – So Get Up and perhaps a little bit of DJ Pierre or Lil Louis French Kiss…
One track you would love to remix?
Radioactivity by Kraftwerk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhBG1ilB3ao
Where’s your favourite city in the UK? Choose your answer carefully…
Right so now I’m not sure what to answer… I would say Glasgow is one of the top cities in the UK for sure.
What Label has most impressed you this year?
Been digging the releases on Drumcode, Aus, Noir, Kompakt, Novel Sound
What record do you never leave home without?
‘Touch Me’
Thank you for your time Rui Da Silva, all the best for the bells, god speed, take care and thank you. Much love, goodnight. Sub Rosa 1st release tickets have now sold out, grab second release tickets here.