Regal aka AcidBoy talks techno and the role of labels in DJ culture

Electronic music star and label visionary Regal, aka AcidBoy, tells Headliner about his career in music so far, from his work as a musician to launching the revered label Involve Records.

Over the past 12 years, Regal has become one of techno’s most esteemed exponents. His EP releases and show-stopping performances across some of the world’s most iconic venues and festivals have marked him out as a generational talent.

The decision to launch his own label, Involve Records, only served to further his reputation as one of the scenes most influential figures.

Earlier this year, Regal took the decision to adopt an alter ego by the name of AcidBoy in a move to accelerate the return of the Acid Techno sub-genre. His album under the AcidBoy moniker, The Final Chapter, has been described as a balance between the past and the present, blending elements of Regal’s earlier work with his new identity.

Here, he tells Headliner about his illustrious career so far, as well as what the future holds.

When did music first meaningfully enter your life?

Music has been a crucial part of my life since I was a kid. I remember constantly listening to children’s music on cassette tapes as a child. Then as I grew older, I would ask for music tapes for my birthdays, even though I didn’t really know much about genres or bands back then. So, most of these were compilation albums, and those collections were my gateway into discovering music. From those early cassettes, I began to explore different sounds and develop a real love for music.

What inspired you to start creating your own music?

I can’t pinpoint a specific moment, but even as a kid, I remember listening to songs and thinking, ‘Oh okay, this is cool, but if I were the producer I’d change this part or add that element. I think that the instinct to shape and create music was always in me. Then I discovered I could actually produce my own music, and that moment was enlightening for me. I haven’t stopped making music since that moment and it’s been a continuous journey for me.

What drew you to techno?

I think that techno in its purest form came to me fairly early in life. I remember being around 14 or 15 when a friend brought a CD to school that he’d borrowed from his older brother. This CD was a compilation of electronic music, reflecting the popular sounds in Spain at the time. It came from a famous club called Bachatta, which was huge in the Spanish electronic music scene back then. That CD introduced me to a new world and I found myself drawn to techno’s beats right away.

Can you talk us through your career progression? Was there a big break moment? Are there any key moments that pushed your career to new levels?

My career has been more of a steady, natural progression rather than a series of big breaks or intense hype. There have certainly been key moments that helped me grow. For example, signing my first EP with Len Faki’s label Figure was a significant step. It led to opportunities to perform at his showcases, which opened new doors for me and exposed me to a broader audience. Those experiences allowed me to build my name and establish more connections within the industry.

What are the biggest challenges facing DJs and techno artists today?

One of the main challenges today is the saturation of DJs and content, especially on social media. Standing out has become increasingly difficult. A few years ago, it was already a lot to juggle being a DJ, producer, graphic designer and sometimes even a label manager. Now, it feels like artists are also expected to be social media managers, content creators, video editors and even influencers. It can be overwhelming and often has very little to do with music itself. On the other hand, what has changed is that now it seems more important to be an influencer than to be an actual musician, which is rather an involution than an evolution in my eyes. The focus has shifted, and maintaining authenticity can be tough in this landscape.

Tell us about the formation of Involve Records and the work it does today.

Involve Records started as a platform purely for my own music. I grew tired of dealing with A&Rs, artistic guidelines and unanswered emails, so I decided to create my own outlet. Over time, I realized there were a lot of talented artists out there whose music deserved to be heard. So, I decided to open Involve to other artists as well. What Involve Records then became was not only a platform to release music but also one that organized showcases and tours around the world, helping bring the sounds we love to a wider audience and supporting other artists in the scene.

How vital can labels still be in today’s music industry landscape?

I think labels have lost some of their influence, especially in the electronic music scene. Years ago, releasing on a certain label could really push an artist forward. Nowadays, it seems that what matters most is the music itself – whether a track resonates with listeners and gains momentum. If a song goes viral, it’s more significant than the label it’s released on. The way people discover music has changed, and so has the role of traditional labels.

What does the future hold for you?

Hopefully, more music, growth and opportunities to push my sound further. Now that I’ve started my new strictly Acid Techno / Trance project ACIDBOY, which is a sort of a back-to-the-beginnings project, I’m excited to see where it will take me. My goal is to keep doing what I love: creating music, connecting with fans and supporting other artists that I love. I’m excited to see where the journey takes me.

PHOTOS: Juanmar Alvarado