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Biography
Prior to recording under the moniker John Talabot in 2008, Riverola had been the resident DJ in one of Barcelona’s most prestigious dance clubs. However, with a mix of over-exhaustion, high-expectations and a wish to create something that wasn’t currently being produced, Riverola left the club scene behind and began crafting contemporary, slow-moving house music. The producer had previously created music under the moniker Oriol D.a.r.y.l. and D.a.r.y.l., before changing his sound and changing his name to John Talabot.
In April 2009, the DJ and producer released his debut 12” “My Old School” on the German label Permanent Vacation, featuring the tracks “Afrika”, “Naomi” and “Korli”.
Talabot’s next release proved to be his breakthrough with the single “Sunshine” later in 2009. The single, which featured heaps of textured loops, delightfully positive riffs and a carefully considered drum machines, was released on the producer’s own Hivern Discs. Riverola subsequently released the EPs “Mathilda’s Dream” in 2010 and “Families” in 2011, whilst also crafting a steady stream of remixes for the likes of Tahiti 80 and Teengirl Fantasy.
One year later, in 2012, arrived the DJ and producer’s debut album “ƒIN” with vocal contributions from Pional and Ekhi. The album earned a 5 star review from The Guardian and was again released on Permanent Vacation. Riverola has subsequently issued the EP “So Will Be Now” in 2013, along with the mix album “DJ-Kicks: John Talabot”.
Live reviews
Barcelona native John Talabot is one mighty fine DJ and producer. In 2012 the Spaniard dropped one of the finest albums of the year in the form of fIN, a delectable slice of deep house and techno with some incredible melodies and vocal hooks that made you wonder why all dance music couldn’t be as perfect as this. As a DJ, he can do just about anything and get a club dancing; yes, his selections are impeccable – this is a man of great taste we’re talking about – but the real treat is to head to a night where he’s playing, only to find out he’s recreating the music from fIN right before your very eyes, adding to it and taking the tracks somewhere completely new. That’s what he did before us in the club, aided by friend and fellow producer Pional. Talabot seemed to add new melodies to the tracks, letting them drift off in new directions and becoming truly cosmic disco, while Pional dropped new beats from his synth pads, adding little vocal melodies here and there. Tracks like ‘Depak Ine’ are stretched out beyond the already-lengthy album running time, allowing the vocal samples to hang in the air that bit longer and to make you think once more what the heck croaking frogs are doing on a dance track. Eventually he drops ‘Destiny’ into the mix and the place goes wild, every hand in the air. The luck was with us tonight; we came expecting Talabot to play some tunes – we left feeling honoured to have heard fIN recreated before us. I can only hope you’re as lucky.
AndyHannah
Spain is a country not necessarily associated with house and dance music. Despite hosting some of the world's best festivals, there are very few musicians trying their hand at DJing. However, this has not deterred Barcelona native Oriol Riverola, better known by his stage name John Talabot who has been putting his original spin on electro since appearing in 2010.
He worked the underground circuit before his debut album 'ƒIN' was praised by a number of global publications and his reputation simply exploded. He still maintains some of the intimacy of his beginnings throughout the show with moody lighting and often trance like beats yet overall it is a surreal and lively dance show. He is pretty entranced in mixing abilities yet he still keeps the crowd involved by dropping huge remixes and some of his own original tracks. There is a great amount of potential surrounding this guy's followup album and it will only help enhance the live show.
sean-ward
