Rami Imam
By: Dream Chimney
The following interview was conducted on January 30, 2025
Melbourne-based producer Rami Imam unveils ‘Safara,’ the latest release on his own label, Ponda Records. Fusing exotic flavours with house and disco on his unmissable EP, we get the chance to sit down with this refreshing producer to learn a little more about him and his music.
Where are you this moment and how are you spending the rest of the day?
I have been on vacation with my partner, traveling across Africa, and we are currently in Zanzibar. It's been an amazing trip, filled with culture and inspiration. Considering how much African music has influenced me, it's been great to experience the continent firsthand and take in the sounds and energy that have shaped so much of what I love. I just visited the capital, Stone Town, and actually stumbled upon an antique store with a stash of old vintage records hidden at the very back of the shop.
Where are you from, where were you born?
Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. My parents originated from Lebanon and Greece.
Where are you based these days? What do you love about where you are living?
I am based in Melbourne - restaurants, bars and nightlife are all incredible here. It's a real explosion of culture which I absolutely love.
How long have you been making music?
I started when I was 15, so it's been 14 years now.
Are you a DJ too?
Yes, however, my passion is producing.
What came first Djing or production?
Production came first, but DJing followed shortly after – they come hand in hand.
What was your first release and what lead to make it?
I went to my first music festival in 2009 and saw the one and only Steve Aoki drop an unreleased version of Turbulence. That was my first genuine experience witnessing the power of dance music, and it completely hooked me. That moment sparked my initial interest in electronic music.
My first production was a track called Escape, which I made with my brother Sam Anderson, under an alias we used to produce under called RISA (a combination of our initials).
What do you feel has been your most notable release, which one made the biggest impact?
Probably the first Ponda Records release, Good Morning Senor Ronnie, which came out in 2020. I seem to get the most messages about that track and it's my most streamed song on Spotify.
The second track that comes to mind is strangely enough a remix my brother Ando and I did of Oceans by Hillsong United under our RISA alias has over a million plays on YouTube… so maybe that one, too!
Have you been Djing out much on your local scene?
I played at a few different clubs for many years when I was younger. These days, I am more focussed on occasional gigs and Ponda Presents shows. I’m always open to more opportunities.
What is the main night spot where you are?
The Night Cat in Fitzroy always books some solid names. I also really enjoyed Wax Museum recently - everyone in the club could professionally breakdance, and the DJ was spinning nonstop 7-inch hot breaks. It went off.
Does it attract many international DJs there? Who has played there most recently?
Yes plenty. DJ Habibeats and COEO were there recently.
Is there a good place to dig for vinyl records where you are based that you can share?
Northside Records and Licorice Pie, for sure!
Who are the artists that you follow right now?
The Trip and Chris Stussy are doing some big things right now, but I also have to shoutout my brothers Moving Still and Dar Disku pushing it hard on the Arab front.
What is the most recent record you purchased?
I picked up an orchestral Pakistani record and a Hits of Africa record—which, when I opened it up, turned out to be an Oum Kalthoum record! Definitely not complaining.
What other great artists should we watch out for from where you are from?
If you’re into euphoric trancey house and sexy disco house - check out Strath and Boyd Kelly. They’re doing big things down under.
Tell us about Ponda Records.
I started Ponda Records in 2020 as a platform for house music with global cultural influences. It’s a label that focuses on energetic and emotional sounds, blending rhythms and melodies from different parts of the world.
The label is not just about my music - it’s also a space for other artists who align with the Ponda sound. We run an event series called Ponda Presents at venues around Melbourne and a mix series called In the Pond, which features DJ sets showcasing a range of different dance music.
My new Safara EP is coming out on the 7th of Feb, with three singles that have led up to the release. The EP reflects what Ponda is all about - music that’s culturally inspired and made for the dance floor.
Give us a roundup of your new EP – Safara?
Safara is a six-track EP that represents my new direction as an artist, blending rhythms, melodies, and influences from diverse cultures and genres. The foundation is house and disco house, but the music is enriched with global sounds inspired by Afro-Funk, West African Highlife, Algerian Rai, and Arab Disco.
I wanted every track to have its own distinct character while still feeling like they belong in the same world. Each song explores different textures, emotions, and sonic landscapes, yet they all share a common thread that ties them together. The goal was to create music that feels deeply emotional and euphoric - something that hopefully resonates beyond just the dancefloor.
I wanted these tracks to be more than just dancefloor grooves- I wanted each one to stand on its own and be their own journey. The goal was for each track to have its own distinct identity while still reflecting the diverse influences that inspire me. I used iconic synths that i adore like the Juno 106, SH 101, Moog Model D, and 303, along with piano, strings and many other classical instruments to create a sound that feels rich, dynamic, and rooted in different musical traditions.
The EP touches on a few different flavours and cultures, why was it important to you to convey such diversity on one EP?
This EP represents a newer direction for me as an artist. A few years ago, I went to Houghton Festival in the UK and experienced an incredible six-hour set by Hunee and Antal - who I hadn’t really heard of before. That experience was eye opening – it showed me the power of older music and how it can blend seamlessly with a huge variety of genres from around the world. It inspired me to start digging into older, more diverse music, and that has had a huge influence on how I approach my own work.
With Safara, I wanted to bring that same spirit of diversity and exploration to the music. Each track blends sounds and melodies from across the globe (but a focus on the Middle East and North Africa) with more familiar house and disco influences. It’s about showing how these different styles and cultures can come together in a way that feels cohesive and works in a dance floor setting.
Gilles Peterson recently did an incredible Asian mix on Worldwide FM did you check it?
I haven’t yet, but that sounds amazing! I’ll definitely give it a listen.
Are there any other artists on this release that you need to shout?
This release is entirely my own production, but I did draw inspiration from a lot of incredible artists through the samples I used. I love digging for older music from different corners of the world, and this project reflects that - blending elements from various genres and eras into something fresh. I won’t list every sample, but there are definitely some deep cuts in there for anyone who loves to dig!
What are you working on next that you can share?
I have made some edits that I’ll be putting out next, followed by a few smaller EPs throughout the year. The plan is to finish off the year with a bigger EP, pushing things further and exploring new ideas along the way. Excited to keep the momentum going and share more music soon!
Check out the latest release from Rami Imam.