RICARDO TAVARES.
My first HARDER was in fall of 2017 at Open House in Manhattan. I never made it to its original Brooklyn start, but I was certainly into its vibe from my first night at Ricardo Tavares’ sexy shindig with a strong electronic sound and rotating roster of queer artists du jour. I will always remember the night that Ricardo invited me to my first NYC hosting gig for his Dec 29, 2017 HARDER. I was honored to continue joining his ranks as HARDER made its way back to Brooklyn, ultimately landing at its current home at 3 Dollar Bill.
HARDER has traveled extensively with nights in Fire Island, P-Town, Chicago, DC, San Fran, Brazil, Berlin, and more. And that’s not all Ricardo brings to the table. He continues to create new concepts that speak to his playful, but cool vision. You can always be certain that his parties will bring out guys who are not only hot, but also have opinions. On one side of you may be a casual blow job, and the other side a thoughtful discussion on the resurgence of Dadaism, and oftentimes both from the same people. He brings together top DJs in the underground tech/tech house scene for music that moves you, and often sounds like the background track of an 80s gay porn flick in the best way. Get a taste with this Bill Sanders live set from HARDER in Jan 2020.
Prior to his next HARDER on Sept 10 at 3DB, I got to chat with Ricardo about his nightlife journey through the years. Enjoy.
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DXD: How did your NYC nightlife journey begin?
RT: Well, I moved to New York City in 1994. I started going to Sound Factory, The Tunnel, Club USA, Limelight, etc. I met all the right people. I worked at The Cock when they opened in 1998, but didn't work a nightlife for a long time after that. Then about 10 years ago, maybe longer, I was a host for Aspen. And then six years ago, I started HARDER.
DXD: What are some of your fondest memories of places and spaces that shaped your personal vision for nightlife?
RT: I loved Palladium. There was also Save The Robots on Avenue B, a tiny little after hours place. You could get there on a Monday morning on Avenue B between 2nd and 3rd. It was pretty messy and small, but fun and great music. Sugar Babies was another great party on Monday nights at CBGB's. There were so many parties going on back in the '90s that you could go out every night to a different place in a different space. I think Palladium, The Tunnel, and Sound Factory are the clubs that shaped me.
DXD: Is there any person or place in NYC nightlife that has especially inspired you?
RT: I think that Saint at Large that does The Black Party is a huge inspiration for me.
Image from TWERKING HARD IN THE EAST VILLAGE
DXD: I caught of pic of you DJing Good Times at EasternBloc back in 2013. What came first - Producing or DJing?
RT: I was a professional DJ for many years in the late '90s. Then I went to London for nine months in 2003, and DJ'ed there. That's where I became friends with the Horse Meat Disco guys and I'm still friends with them. DJ'ing came first, and I might go back, actually.
DXD: What were you up to between then and beginning of HARDER?
RT: Baking. I'm a baker. I went to culinary/pastry school, and worked in the service industry for 20 years.
DXD: HARDER is a Brooklyn-born baby. How did it begin and how has that progressed through the years?
RT: So I was a baker, like I said, I was gonna open a coffee shop, I needed money to keep the construction going. Ryan Smith from Wrecked said, "Let's do a benefit party." Pickles offered me the space in Park Slope. And the DJs were Ryan Smith, Bryan Gatallie, and Mr. Wallace. It was the first time Mr. Wallace played, and it was a success. People then started mailing me, "Let's do more parties," and then that's how HARDER started. The coffee shop never opened, but the party is still going. How has it progressed through the years? Well, it started in illegal sex clubs in Manhattan and Brooklyn, but my vision was always to be what it is now, and maybe even bigger.
DXD: What's the sound of HARDER?
RT: Well, the sound of HARDER is electronic between techno and house quality. I know that concept of quality is relative. There’s definitely no circuit music. It is anything that makes people dance. Obviously there's limitations, but it's between house and techno, and anything in between.
DXD: I love working with HARDER because it's sexy without needing to be a “sex party.” How do you promote the sexual energy so well, but still focus on the music?
RT: Well, thank you, I appreciate that. It's not a sex party even though it started in sex clubs and was 90% sex, but my focus always been on the music. I always believed that we could have a good dance party with good DJs, still be sexy, and like you said, not be a sex party. Nothing against sex parties, obviously. I think nowadays it is because the fame of the party, that it's so intense and so connected to sex, that people go wanting that. But luckily, it's not the focus anymore.
DXD: The HARDER flyers are some of my favorites. What artists have you worked with to create some of your fliers?
RT: Oh, man, okay. Yeah, I worked with a bunch of graphic designers, including Dustin Koda, who did my flyers for a long time, who lives in Hawaii now. Right now, I am working with Martin Justesen. He has 100% control. I used to be in charge of everything, but I needed to delegate stuff. I’ve also worked with Benedict from Berlin who is an illustrator, and I'm hoping to work with him again.
DXD: And now you have shirts featuring the HARDER art that we can buy?
RT: Yes, you can. Right here!
DXD: Is there any iconic moment or memory that you feel capture the HARDER spirit?
RT: I had Christeene performing at the World Pride, that was a pretty lovely moment. But every time is so different, and that's what I love about it. The DJs that I bring, they bring something different, it's not the same every time. But the Christeene moment... Long live Christeene!
DXD: Indeed. Now onwards, what other parties have you been bringing to the scene in recent years?
RT: I have my silly little Friday night parties, Nipples. That was also once at Nowhere Bar. I might bring that back also because it was silly with the '80s, '90s, new wave music, very different. Yeah. I also had a one-off called Physical, that was my first big Manhattan party right before the pandemic, that I also wanna bring that back because it's a completely different take from HARDER and I want to do it in Manhattan because I think Manhattan needs to have good music. I'm just looking for a space since so many clubs closed down because of the pandemic.
DXD: What inspires these new parties and brings them to life?
RT: Just so I can keep myself creative and do different things, and make a living off being a full-time producer.
DXD: Where would you be on an ideal Saturday night when you're not putting on a party?
RT: Easy. Wrecked, Carry Nation, and Horse Meat Disco. Those are my friends' parties that I love very much.
DXD: Top three things you love seeing at your parties?
RT: Good music. People just letting loose and being happy. And obviously, the sexy guys.
DXD: What's one thing you wish you could say to every guest before they arrive at your party?
RT: Everybody wants to make sure I'm okay and that I'm having fun, but the party's for them, not for me. I am not there to have fun. I do have fun, but I just wish they don't have to worry about me. I do what I do so that you can enjoy the event.
DXD: What advice do you have as we return to the dance floor?
RT: Just be nice to people, and be polite. You don't have to be friends with everybody, but let's be friendly with everybody.
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Ricardo, my immense gratitude for giving me my first gig and many more, for creating queer spaces, and for doing this interview. You can check out the next HARDER on Sept 10 at 3DB, featuring DJs Justin Strauss and SPRKLBB.
Keep up with HARDER events on Instagram: @harderevent
Keep up with Ricardo on Instagram: @ricardomontolban
Xx,
