Meet the artist: Rik Watts
by 1 September 2026
SAY HELLO TO RIK WATTS
When we first met Rik Watts during one of Ramon Tapia’s label nights in Antwerp, there was an instant connection. At least on our part; what a warm vibe! And when we heard him play that night, we recognized it immediately: this is proper techno. Now, months, or perhaps even more than a year, later, the time has come. We get to release his Force EP on MEUK Records.
Let’s pause for a moment to consider that warm atmosphere we just mentioned, because it can certainly be heard in his compelling grooves. What further characterizes his sound is that it is raw, pure, and no-nonsense, exactly the way we like it.
All of this is explored in even greater depth in his interview, in which we start with the beginning of his musical journey and follow his development up to his upcoming release on our label.
Your story goes back to the late ’90s rave era. How has your musical career developed?
My journey started in 1997/1998 when I first went to Dance Valley and Awakenings. The energy of the crowd, the power of the sound system and the music hit me like nothing before — I was instantly hooked. At 19 or 20, I was a loud-mouthed kid serving in the Royal Dutch Navy. I spent almost everything I earned while sailing on vinyl and parties. I began with belt-drive turntables and dove straight into the trance sound of that era. I bought a lot of records in The Hague at Rhythm Import — a shop where a serious amount of my salary disappeared. A few years later I got my first PC and a Korg Electribe, and the real producing adventure began. From trance I gradually moved into deeper, rawer territory. Interestingly, some of that old trance still fits perfectly in today’s techno sets because of its raw energy and BPM.
It’s been a long road of falling down and getting back up. There were times I thought I had made it, only to be crushed by feedback. But after years of persistence and deep personal and emotional growth, everything changed. My music became purer because I became more myself. I stopped chasing a spot in the scene. Today I welcome feedback as a chance to grow, and most importantly — I’m having a lot of fun again.
At what point did you realize techno was where you truly belonged?
Every year I went to Dance Valley, and whenever Carl Cox or Dave Clarke closed the festival, I felt something shift inside me. Their raw drive and powerful energy connected with me on a much deeper level than trance did. That’s when I slowly started buying more and more techno records. New names kept appearing in my bags, and before long Cari Lekebusch had become one of my biggest heroes. What truly pulled me into techno is its rich history and the freedom it offers — there are no strict rules. I love the deep, hypnotic grooves in the lower frequencies most of all. When the groove is solid and dense, you can completely lose yourself in the smallest, minimalistic changes. That’s the magic for me.
If you had to distill techno down to its essence, what would it be?
For me, it’s all about creative freedom, warmth, movement and groove. Anything I’d say beyond that would only weaken its impact.
How would you characterize the sound you’ve been developing over the years?
Warm and deep techno with a soulful edge. My tracks are built on solid, rolling grooves that feel both powerful and inviting — blending raw energy with organic warmth and musicality. Expect basslines and grooves that make you move while keeping your mind engaged — true feel-good techno with character.
You describe your music as “feel-good techno with character”. Is that something that reflects your broader outlook on life as well?
Absolutely. Alongside my music, I built House-V: a space where body, mind and spirit come together. Through movement, training, breathwork, coaching and personal growth, I help people build inner strength, release what holds them back, and live more aligned with who they truly are.
For me, it’s all about that family feeling: showing up for each other and creating spaces where you feel at home in your own skin.
Also with my music, I warmly invite people to join the circle and become stronger, more connected, and above all… senang (feeling good).
Connection seems to be a recurring theme in your life. How does DJing allow you to express that?
Discovering new music is something I love, especially when I really take the time to dive deep into it. My music choices are directly connected to how I’m feeling at that moment. That’s exactly what I want to share — who I am. For me, it’s about self-expression. And when someone else connects with it and feels happy because of my music… that gives the best dopamine shot you can imagine.
Can you take us inside your creative process?
I get the furthest with Ableton, combined with my TR-707, MC-303, and a huge library of samples. Sometimes I open old unfinished projects and start by dumping everything that’s in my head straight into Ableton. I have a folder full of loops from old projects that I regularly listen through. If something grabs me, I open it up and try to finish it. Other times I grab the microphone and beatbox the rhythms or melodies I hear in my head. I also often re-use elements or tracks from previous projects if they feel right to build on. You could say that most of my tracks are built around samples, combined with lots of FX and processing. Watching tutorials to discover how to get the most out of Ableton and its instruments is also one of my favorite things to do. Some days I finish a full arrangement in just four hours. Other times I end up with twelve loops that sit for a month before I finally complete them. It really depends on my mood and energy level — how I am or what I’ve done that day has a big influence on how productive I am in the studio.
What made releasing with MEUK Records feel like a natural fit?
First of all, I was asked — and I really like Eva and Denn. They’re genuine, nice people and I’m happy to share my music with them. I also love Rotterdam, so I’m always glad to support everything that happens around the city and the scene. After I got the invitation, I took a closer look at what MEUK does in terms of promotion and activities. Their dedication and the quality of the artwork really stood out to me, which made me even more excited to be part of it.
To wrap things up, what can people expect from your upcoming EP?
The Force EP is a raw and groovy four-tracker consisting of Doors, Force, Many and No Box — pure floor pressure with no unnecessary elements.
Expect techno with tight, rolling grooves, solid basslines and subtle gritty layers. No unnecessary fluff — just pure function, pressure and restraint. The tracks are built to lock you in, build tension and keep the dancefloor moving with warm, driving energy.FORCE EP
TRACKLIST
1. Doors
2. Force
3. Many
4. No Box
Release date: 15 September 2026
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