Over the last decade and beyond, Sandy Riveria has pushed his talents into the hearts of many house music lovers worldwide with his excellent productions that harness a fine quality and style. Sandy is also heavily with the Defected Label and has released some of his biggest and best tunes to date. But all the hype at the moment for the man with the fro is the release of his highly anticipated artist album ‘Trouble’ and the worldwide tour that followed and is still going.

‘Trouble’ is something Sandy is very proud of. It’s 100% sample free and is an album that showcases his many different tastes while paying homage to his journey in music.

Sandy has taken some time of his busy schedule to answer some pressing questions for RA.

"Yes I totally set out to make it a sample free album – it’s the best way to do music!"

Firstly, how is your current worldwide touring going? Any interesting stories?

Well its all been great, I don’t have anything too wild, those days are behind me now! But I did have a great time in Ibiza recently. I got a boat and went all around the Island and to Formentera. It was beautiful!

Also in Riga, Latvia, I went out with a racing car driver in his rally car! He drove me all around the city and even drove me to the plane I had to get on, I didn’t even have to check in! I arrived on the tarmac in a rally car!

What can people expect when they come to see you play?

A bubble gum of music! Ha ha no I mean they will just get a good night out! I adapt to the crowd. If they are a harder crowd they’ll get it harder. If they like it softer that’s what I’ll play.

"In Riga, Latvia, I went out with a racing car driver in his rally car! He drove me all around the city and even drove me to the plane I had to get on, I didn’t even have to check in! I arrived on the tarmac in a rally car! "

I’ve read a comment that this new album is 100% sample free. Was this something you set out to do and did it change the way you approached the album?

Yes I totally set out to make it a sample free album – it’s the best way to do music!

How did the Black Wiz label come about with Robert Owen and what are your future plans in the way of releases? Also is there any meaning to the name ‘Black Wiz’?

So far so good! We are really new. The name comes from a nick name my cousin and I had when we was younger.

October will see you touring Australia and New Zealand with many big parties lined up. As you have played in Australia many times before, how have you found it and will you get time for anything other than DJing?

Yes! I love Australia. I will be taking a vacation after the gigs and spending most of it in Sydney.

"Ibiza this year was great. The Defected parties have been busy right from the start."

Always on the lips of everybody’s tongues is the question about how good Ibiza is this year. What has been your impression of the 2005 parties?

Ibiza this year was great. The Defected parties have been busy right from the start. Unfortunately I don’t get to spend much time there as I have to leave to go to other gigs. Space has been great this year but I haven’t had the chance to check out much else.

There have been many stories about you getting into accidental trouble, from your innocent row in the ocean which you found yourself crossing countries to getting grilled at the airports cause of permit mix ups. Could you fill us in on those events?

Those troubled times are past me now so I don’t think I should chat about that anymore! Haha!

Finally, I’ve noticed your liking of the 70’s, both in your hair style and website design. Do the 70’s play a big part in your influences today? And how did you go about discovering your fine fro and trying to maintain it?

Hahaha Aveda everything! I use their shampoo, conditioner and leave in conditioner every day and if I don’t... poooof it goes huge! Sometimes it does anyway!