Interviews

Ryan Sadorus heads up Beretta Music and here he talks to us about his new release.
"This EP is uniquely a Detroit story, from start to finish. Hot in the D traces its roots to both Detroit house and ghetto tech style house, which you can mostly find in Detroit and Chicago. Nobody's Fool is a heavier, even slightly industrial track about not wanting to be anyone's secondary partner…. about how we yearn for being that centre of that affection. "See the Light" is a very atmospheric, emotive track about this great awakening…. A spiritual eye opening about seeing what's possible and waiting for us. Can you see the light?"

Tell us about Beretta Music, its musical vision, some key releases, when it started and who is involved in it.

We started BerettaMusic in 2002 as a sort of artist portal/hub even before it was a record label. It was always meant to be a mechanism by which we could build bridges with other artists and connect likeminded folks. When I met Brian Kage and we were both producing music, we decided to elevate Beretta into a record label, releasing our first “Recoil EP” together in 2003. The vision was not only to release some of our own music but to also highlight up and coming artists across Detroit.

Tell us a little more about the artists involved on this EP.

I started working with Simon Black on this music about a year ago. I knew him for his vocal talents on other Detroit labels such as Omar S' FXHE. Simon is a dynamic and creative individual, and we really work well together. He's a great live performer and singer and regularly runs a cabaret type show in Detroit.

Talk about Delano Smith, why you chose him for the remix, and what you feel he has added.

I’ve always been a fan of Delano and in recent years a friend as well. He is a Detroit and global legend has his own label Mixmode. He’s also toured all over the world.

He has a very unique and distinctive sound that is unlike anything else I’ve heard. He has a driving and hypnotic style of house that are uniquely his own.

I was really excited that Delano wanted to be involved in this record. I’m not sure if I chose him or if he chose us, but either way I’m super stoked that he wanted to remix Hot in the D.

Talk us through the tracks a little.

'Hot in the D’ was conceived the summer of 2024 where I wanted to create this jackin summer jam. It is heavily inspired by ghetto tech style house which is prevalent here in Detroit. This track has a lot of energy and shares glimpses into the Detroit vibe.

‘Nobody’s Fool’ to me almost has this harder, industrial edge to it, but lots of energy. It’s about not wanting to be anyone's “side piece” or their secondary… and how we yearn to be the centre of our partner's attention.

‘See The Light’. This track still gets me every time…. it’s a deeply emotive track about having this revelation and seeing what’s possible (the light). I think this track can be perceived in different ways by different people which is definitely the intent. Big synth chords going on here as well…. I just love this tune.

Who is this EP for?

I think that anyone that is into Detroit music, will be interested to hear this record. Detroit may be best known for Techno, but we have some amazing house artists here and this record is highly influenced from those around me here in the city. Rimarkable has been playing this record quite a bit and I’m a big fan of hers.

I think this record has something for everyone really as there are different styles/sounds there. If you like Delano Smith, Norm Talley or any similar artists, I think you’ll want to give this EP a listen, although I believe there is a pop sensibility in these tunes as well.

A lot of my productions are darker, driving, hypnotic style tunes and these tend to come up for air and pull other listeners in.

Tell us a little about the GREAT artwork.

Thanks! We have an artist that makes these cool artistic renditions of the main artist who is on the record and Simon is just a perfect example. We always love to feature and promote the artists themselves on the artwork. Originally this series concept I came up with was called “Building Characters” and centred around the artists themselves and their likeness. I still think of this with every release and although we never advertised that theme, I’m hoping it comes through in the art. As for jacket designs and record centres, I do the design myself. It’s something I actually enjoy doing, although I always feel like I’m a “work in progress” :)

Who else is HOT in Detroit right now?

Ahhhh so many great artists here right now. I gravitate towards Delano Smith, Norm Talley, DJ Cent, Dez Andres and Mike “Agent X” Clark. There are a ton of up and coming newer DJ’s as well (I’m still meeting many of them) but I’m constantly keeping my ear to the ground to see what new music is being created.

Are you looking forward to movement, and what you are hoping to see there?

Oh absolutely, we affectionately call it “Techno Christmas” around here. I know many folks come to see Detroit artists which is awesome, but being here full time I’m most excited to see folks from outside of Detroit. I’m really looking forward to seeing Riva Starr, Joris Voorn, Junior Sanchez, Mark Broom and Rimarkable, but there are several hometown folks here that I also want to check out such as Chuck Daniels, Mike “Agent X” Clark, Norm Talley and others.

Check out the latest release from Beretta Music.