The Will Clarke Podcast

“This Industry Will Chew You Up"… Riva Starr Explains Why He’s Still Here

Aug 26, 2025
Riva Starr, known as Stefano Miele, is an innovative East-London DJ and label owner of Snatch! Records, celebrated for his genre-fluid approach. He discusses the evolution of music creation and the importance of authenticity in an industry rife with challenges. Riva shares insights on maintaining a balance between artistic expression and personal life, the dynamics of launching a label in today's market, and the significance of genuine collaboration. He also reflects on his creative process during lockdown and the continued relevance of album releases in a singles-driven world.
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ADVICE

Run Your Label With Your Own A&R

  • Sign demos personally and trust your own A&R instincts when running a label.
  • Only release tracks you would play in your own club sets to keep the label coherent.
ADVICE

Reinvest Label Earnings Into Music

  • Reinvest label earnings into promotion, artwork and paying musicians instead of personal profit.
  • Use income to widen your musical projects and fund special releases.
INSIGHT

Image Often Trumps Music For Labels

  • Image and party associations now often outrank musical quality when artists choose labels.
  • That shift makes starting and growing a label harder unless you offer truly original music.
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