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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Multiplicity Of Gatekeepers Raises The Bar
- Gatekeepers have multiplied across playlists, promoters and booking, making access much harder.
- The game rewards those who accept new rules or build independent paths, else careers can stall.
Called A Failure After One Day
- The day after releasing a Neapolitan track, an Italian label rep called to say it had failed.
- Riva used it to illustrate how fast industry reactions can be and why short-term metrics mislead.
Don't Kill Releases With Short-Term Metrics
- Avoid judging a release by first-week streams or playlist placement.
- Let music breathe and rely on long-term discovery and word-of-mouth.