An Interview with Cómeme, Label-newcomer Rizu X about workflows, collaborations on her latest EP, and a look at experiences as an electronic music producer.

Lizette, since 2015 working under the name Rizu X. Between Border Cities Laredo, TX, USA and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, México she created and developed a style of eclectic and playful electronic music, dembow, acid, minimal and tribal. "I like to push the limits of a sample or a sequence I create and see how far I can take it by making it sound little to nothing from the initial". Creating a style for herself she is leaving her sound-mark in places like Traición x Naafi, and is celebrated as the new newcomer of Matias Aguayos Label Cómeme.

Liz, your experience and work are impressive! You've worked as a producer, DJ. At what point did you realize that the music business was right up your alley?

Thank you! I guess it was the most logical step after I stopped investing my creative energy as a dancer/performer and a change of scenery. Music was always there from the beginning, but I just reconnected with that part of myself when I started working on what now is Rizu X.

You've been working as an artist since 2015. How did you come aware this was your passion? How did you get in touch with music and especially with electronic music?

I started buying music gear for fun like loop pedals, synthesizers, and drum machines. It became a little addictive, it’s like playing with toys. The workflow was very organic and immersive. Slowly started getting local and regional gigs with more of a synthpop vibe at first, but the production aspect of it was what pushed me into deep dive more on the technical side and experiment more even to DJ, discovering many Electronic music genres and artists as well.

From your point of view, what is it about to write a track?  And what ways can you recommend to get on with it to other artists that look up to you?

I personally can find inspiration in many things, but in the end, is how you channel that energy. More than a genre or style, music sets the vibe of a room, a moment/situation, marks lives, and so on. What is it you are trying to communicate with specific instruments or samples? Sometimes this answer is not clear until you go through the whole process, but I can only advise you to dominate your own setup and workflow while producing. Impeccable technique and detailing are always great, but it can come secondary, no one is born an expert.

Take us on a trip in a day of Rizu X. Where do you start listening to music and where does it stop?

I tend to wake up and listen to podcasts or ASMR artists. Occasionally also mixes or new releases I get interested in whenever I read about them. I gradually do find myself keeping a list of tracks or albums I want to buy or screenshots so I won’t forget. My taste is not super specific, but there is a little bit of everything in there. From Pop culture classics to Club bangers, Experimental productions, and random beats. Just exploring different textures, melodies, and rhythms all over.

How many hours a week do you work in your music studio and spend time with music in general?

When I first started it was very obsessive like an almost everyday type of thing. Nowadays, since I am involved in different kinds of creative projects, I try to at least have a good day or even 2 assigned to studio time.

The EP Rizu X - Myokymia came out in April which is the latest of your productions. I’d be really interested in hearing about your workflow and how all the tracks come about :) There have several people involved what role do they play in your life and how do you work together to create an EP?

I had several tracks I worked on during the pandemic when on lockdown that were very different from each other. I was in constant communication with friend and collaborator Nathan (Tearz/Mystic Stylez) from Gone Baby records who moved from Houston, TX to NYC. He offered me a release while everything was standing pretty still. I figured it was time to get it out of my system (hard drive plus mentally speaking) and to move on to the next thing.

Mixed by Marco/Siete Catorce For the mixing was almost like a no brainer to involve Marco. With his experience and taste, since I was also in talks with him to release for his label Subreal at some point. That is still pending ofc, but it was a good opportunity for collaboration and feedback in the meantime.

Mastered Jiovanni Nadal - Jio is Nate’s roommate, so it would make sense that he would do the mastering as the label’s collaborative partner. But Jio also has his fare share of experience, amazing productions and sound work overall. He was very communicative and detailed in the process.

Artwork by Alejandra Muñoz - Ale AKA Aleszyta is a very well-known and talented 3D artist. She happens to be a childhood friend, we were raised in Nuevo Laredo(Mexico), went to school together and other shenanigans. I was happy to reconnect with her for the artwork collaboration. She depicted my mood board and lucid dreaming descriptions only like she could!

Which virtual instruments would you no longer want to do without when writing songs? Which sound generators have already gathered virtual dust?

I mainly record and mix on Ableton once I am done composing with my analog setup. Sometimes I do a hybrid setup of both that consists of one of my samplers or drum machines as a base. For sure there are some instruments I don’t use all the time, like the synthesizers I own. It depends on which one I am feeling more like would produce the sound quality I am looking for in a composition, so not all of them would be used at the same time, for Plugins as well. I like improvising at first a lot to get creative juices flowing, so it all depends on the composition unfolding. All I know is for sure the microphone needs to be used more ASAP!

As an artist you get asked many questions. What questions would you answer differently today compared to when you have started and what do you think has stayed the same?

I probably don’t look back much to read about what I say or listen to what I did. Not sure if it’s a good or bad thing, but in general I just try to not hold on to anything. I believe in accepting we are ever-changing individuals , and as such it’s ok to mess up. Staying hungry for learning really is the key and that is what probably has been a constant until now.

With the knowledge you have today, do you regret something or would like to have done something different?

When you adventure into the unknown is real scary. You can doubt yourself so much and others with more experience can be very intimidating, but probably would’ve liked to know that better before. With no connections or people with your affinities near you the road can be tough. It is very important to surround yourself with a community and network that can support you and everyone in it, elevate each other.

What tips would you give to aspiring music producers?

I don’t know much about the pulls and strings, I have so much to learn myself still. But for sure explore, practice, network an get yourself out there. Who cares if you used the hottest audio interface on the market or the cheapest midi controller? Find your voice and that will resonate with others.

Are there projects in the making that we are going to hear about soon?

I have an upcoming release on the works with Mexico City label CVJV NEGRV Records. The label has a list of incredible releases with amazing producers, would definitely recommend to give them a listen. A couple mixes pending soon as well in collaboration with Cómeme. Also pending, several track collaborations with producer friends scattered around the globe that will hopefully get to be released at some point next year. And fingers crossed, soon venturing into sound design and cinematic compositions as part of other endeavors. As a cinephile and video producer, I find that very exciting!

What tracks have you chosen for the mixtape

There will be a mix of what I have been in the mood of listening to lately, music from producer friends and unreleased material. Hope you all enjoy!