RYAN MURGATROYD: ONLY JUST WARMING UP

Two Decades of Electronic Exploration

For more than two decades, Ryan Murgatroyd has explored technology, electronic music, and African musical influences. Ryan Murgatroyd has experimented with these connections long before Afro House became a global movement.

The South African DJ, producer, educator, and music technologist continues pushing those ideas forward. His 2014 release Bantwanas Piano became a defining record and an early expression of African spiritual vocals within electronic music.

More than 100 releases followed, alongside music on labels including Defected and Get Physical. His international performances have included Boiler Room. Yet, Ryan sees his career differently. He believes his most interesting work still lies ahead.

After stepping back to reconsider his relationship with electronic music, he reached a clear conclusion. He is not finished. He is only getting started.

A New Creative Chapter

Ryan has now released his first single in six years. An “avalanche” of new music follows, while Swoon Recordings will return in 2027.

Sound Press caught up with Ryan to discuss the music that shaped him, technology, creativity, and South African electronic music. The conversation also explored the pursuit of the perfect record and what comes next.

What Does the Murgatroyd Sound Represent?

How would Ryan describe the project to someone discovering his music for the first time?

He describes the Murgatroyd project as sitting on the edge of the underground. Technology remains central to his creative process. He constantly explores new technologies and different ways to create, inspire, and control music.

His goal remains ambitious. He wants listeners to hear the project and recognise the highest level of electronic music. He describes it as a project for purists and music lovers.

However, his music can also reach wider audiences. He points to his remix of Lane 8’s “Stir Me Up”, along with tracks such as “Wicked Eyes” and “I Kalimba.”

The Lasting Impact of Bantwanas Piano

What made Bantwanas Piano so important to Ryan’s journey?

Ryan recalls returning from Ibiza after seeing David August and Solomun perform deep and slow records at their Sankeys residency. Those dancefloors changed his perspective on how house music could work.

He loved the idea of artists taking their time. The music moved slowly and groovily, with monstrous low end and emotion.

After returning home, he wrote two of his favourite catalogue pieces: Bantwanas Piano and Glow.

He remains proud of both records. He also sees Bantwanas Piano as a prelude to the use of African spiritual vocals in dance music.

Today, he considers it a true classic. For a producer, he says, that represents the highest accolade.

African Influences Before Afro House Became a Trend

Ryan’s relationship with African musical influences developed long before Afro House became a global movement.

While teaching students at Soulcandi in the early 2000s, he encountered a different side of house music. At the time, he was producing more European-influenced dance music. His students began asking him to create Kwaito and Deep House in the classroom.

Being challenged to create those sounds revealed a natural sensitivity towards them. His students even jokingly called him “The crazy white boy” because of his ability to make Afro-inspired music.

That experience encouraged a natural fusion between African sounds and the other styles he explored.

Ryan takes pride in experimenting with these combinations and collaborating meaningfully with legitimate African vocalists. He stresses that he worked with original African vocalists rather than taking vocals from sample packs.

The Moments That Shaped His Career

Which moments stand out after more than 20 years in electronic music?

Ryan points to several early achievements:

• Performing at Boiler Room.
• Playing a Spanish bullring for the Get Physical show in Barcelona in 2016.
• Becoming one of the first artists to release on major European labels.
• Releasing music through Still for Talent, Get Physical, and Defected.

However, his journey eventually reached a turning point. Ryan stepped back and questioned whether he still wanted electronic music to be his career.

Electronic music can demand enormous creative energy. Technology influences the studio process, while artists must continually develop ideas and work relentlessly to bring them to life.

After reflecting deeply, Ryan found his answer.

He realised he was only just warming up.

Swoon Recordings and Supporting Artists

Ryan founded Swoon Recordings as a home for hundreds of unreleased songs sitting on his drive. He later brought partners into the label, expanding its purpose to include other artists.

The nurturing side of his work happens more through Soulcandi Institute of Music. Swoon instead focuses on signing sophisticated artists with clear and developed sonic identities.

The label took a short hiatus after COVID-19 because of difficult financial realities. Now, it is returning with a selection of new releases in early 2027.

The Pursuit of the Perfect Record

How does an artist stay inspired after more than 100 releases?

Ryan admits that no artist gets everything right every time. Artists face doubt, outside influences, trends, and the temptation to follow technological movements.

He has experienced this himself. At one point, he refused to use layers unless he designed them from scratch using modular equipment.

His answer to staying inspired remains simple: keep trying to do it better.

Ryan describes himself as living, eating, and breathing with one purpose: making the world’s best electronic music. He sees the pursuit of the perfect record as something artists may never fully achieve.

Even now, he wakes up amazed that his work involves designing circuits in modular synthesis and programming synthesizers.

Where Is South African Electronic Music Going?

Ryan sees an exciting future for the local scene. He believes South African electronic music is finally moving beyond the expectation that it must sound like Afro House.

There are many incredible artists across the country. He expects the next generation to apply new technologies to their music and push beyond what came before.

He also expects more African artists to create electronic music that does not rely on expected clichés. That possibility excites him.

What Comes Next?

Ryan’s first single is already available across all platforms. He describes it as a final tribute to the older Murgatroyd sound, combining African influence, delicate organic elements, and melancholy.

After that, the direction changes dramatically.

His future releases promise what he calls pure anarchy. His mandate is clear: create the filthiest, funkiest, dirtiest, best-produced, and most undeniably groovy music of his career.

With new music ahead and Swoon Recordings returning in 2027, Ryan Murgatroyd is entering another chapter.

And perhaps the most exciting part?

He believes he is only just warming up.