For more than three decades, Roger Sanchez has helped shape modern house music, both on the turntables and through his label work.
His imprint Undr The Radr has carved a lane for uncompromising club music and talent discovery, championing artists before the mainstream clocks them. The label’s latest signing, ‘Fiera,’ pairs Miami producers Leyva and Eric V with vocalist Kristen Knight for a mentorship-driven collaboration steeped in Latin culture and Miami attitude.
We sat down with Sanchez to discuss why the track stood out, how he approaches signing decisions, and what’s exciting him about Miami’s new generation of producers.
As someone who’s been helping shape dance music for decades, what keeps you excited about the scene today?
I love that there are different elements and new producers and artists merging local sounds into house, especially the Latin and Afro sounds
What role does instinct versus experience play in your decision making as a DJ and label head?
I think they go hand in hand- my experience on what works on the dance floor informs my instinct when I’m listening to new music, especially a possible signing for my labels.
Roger Sanchez – Picture: Taylor Donaldson
You’ve described the new release on your label, Fiera as “pure Miami heat meets tech house beats.” What was it about this track that immediately stood out to you the first time you heard it?
When Kristen and I received the instrumental from Leyva and Eric, the horns instantly caught my attention. The Beats and bass perfectly framed the hrn hook and I thought “this could be a dance floor monster”.
Undr The Radr has always championed authentic, underground sounds. How does Fiera reflect the ethos and direction of the label right now?
I feel Fiera is very current with the sound of Undr the Radr – underground beats and elements combining with very creative vocals. I especially lean into Latin vocals mixed with tech and house.
Leyva and Eric V spent over two years developing this track as a mentorship-driven collaboration. How important is that kind of organic, long-term creative process when you’re deciding what to sign?
I think that it can take time to truly find your sound and no time is wasted when experimenting. Leyva and Eric have really upped their game over the last few years and this track is a great example of their work.
Miami plays a huge role in the identity of Fiera. What does the city represent to you musically and how do you feel that spirit translates into this record?
Kristen is a Miami native and really feels the pulse of it flowing through her veins. The energy, spirit and SABOR is reflected in the attitude of the lyrics and melodies of Fiera
What did Kristen Knight’s voice and story bring to the record for you?
The story behind Fiera centers on a confident, ambitious Latina artist chasing her dreams.
Roger Sanchez
Do you think narrative and identity are becoming more important in electronic music today?
Absolutely! As artists establish their own unique approach musically, their culture and environment really comes into play in their art. Kristen has been diving into her latin roots with Fiera and definitely brought the spice of Miami into it.
As a legendary DJ who’s seen multiple eras of dance music, what excites you most about the current wave of producers coming out of cities like Miami?
I feel that Miami producers have a wealth of influences to draw from and the influx of top notch production spaces and local support is truly making inroads in our scene.
Undr The Radr has built a reputation for spotlighting artists before they break big. What advice would you give to emerging producers hoping to get noticed by labels like yours?
Always put your best tracks forward when submitting to UTR, be consistent and persistent. If something isn’t right for us, please keep sending music as we may find something that resonates in a future submission. Also, always keep the dance floor in mind for UTR.
When you play a track like Fiera out live, how quickly can you tell if it’s connecting with a crowd? Have you had any standout reactions so far?
I know when something connects by the energy of the room and responses- when the first drop of the horns hits, I’ve gotten people cheering and responding to it from the first time I played it out, especially in latin markets, and when the beats come back in, the dance floor goes off!
What inspires you most right now when it comes to music and creativity?
I’m inspired by unconventional approaches to a familiar framework of House music- new sounds, unexpected vocal treatments and warmth in bass and chord elements as well as stripped back, percussive approaches. The unfamiliar, beautifully melded with elements I recognize, continues to inspire me to move my own sound forward.
