Erizo sat down with us to reflect on his journey from Texas to Riyadh and how he is helping to shape the local dance music scene.
Texas-born, Riyadh-based hard techno DJ and producer Erizo thrives when the BPMs are sky high. Since launching his career in 2007, he has dedicated himself fully to the craft, honing a fierce sound that spans neo-rave, industrial rave, and acid techno. His music—made to shake sweaty warehouses and gritty, late-night basements—has earned him support from icons like I Hate Models, Trym, SNTS, and Vendex, along with labels like KKULA and FLASH Recordings.
Erizo’s journey has been anything but conventional. In 2016, he moved from Texas to Saudi Arabia after landing a job opportunity too good to pass up. “I have a strong background in IT and cybersecurity, and I received an offer in Saudi Arabia that made perfect sense at the time (2016) — both professionally and geographically,” he said. “Relocating to Saudi Arabia brought me geographically closer to Europe, which opened the door to more collaboration opportunities with artists and promoters.”
Erizo’s decision to move to Riyadh came with its challenges. In the early years, the music scene was still nascent, and creative opportunities were scarce. That took a toll on his creativity and motivation. He admitted, “In the early years, the creative energy just wasn’t there. The scene was quiet, and I lost a lot of drive to produce or perform. It felt like music had taken a back seat.”
But the country’s gradual progress and sweeping reforms in 2019 led to the emergence of underground culture as a new movement began to take shape. This revival fueled Erizo’s passion for music again, and he soon became actively involved in shaping the underground scene.
“The country started opening up, relaxing regulations, and implementing major reforms,” Erizo said. “That transformation gave me a reason to stay — I was genuinely interested in how it would all unfold. As the reforms continued, I started seeing signs of an underground movement emerging. That reignited my passion. I found myself inspired again and even started organizing my own events. That momentum brought me back into the music space in a real way.”
When asked about Saudi Arabia’s evolving dance scene, Erizo described it as “growing, and fast.” With the country embracing new opportunities and cultural experiences, a wave of new venues hosting weekly and monthly events has steadily emerged.
While these gatherings are becoming more common, the scene hasn’t quite caught the fire of genres like hardstyle and hard techno. “Right now, the dominant sounds are house, Afro-house, and melodic techno,” Erizo noted. “Occasionally, you’ll come across peak-time or hard techno events, but they’re still relatively rare.”
Overall, the scene [in Saudi Arabia] is still finding its identity. At times, it can feel a bit scattered or uncertain, but that’s a natural part of any new movement — especially in a country where this type of culture is just beginning to take root.
Erizo
With the local scene still in its early stages, most partygoers are just beginning to discover electronic music. In this context, Erizo sees himself not just as a performer but also as an educator. Leveraging on his years of experience, he embraces the opportunity to guide the audience in deepening their appreciation of the genre.
Erizo said, “Most people here have only been exposed to nightlife and dance culture within the last one to four years. As a DJ, that puts you in a unique position—you’re not just entertaining; you’re introducing people to something entirely new. There’s a genuine excitement and openness to the experience.”
The community is still relatively small; there’s a strong sense of connection. A lot of people know each other, and that adds to the vibe. It feels fresh, intimate, and like something meaningful is being built from the ground up.
Erizo
For those unacquainted with the local scene in Saudi Arabia, Erizo has generously shared how locals unwind. He said, “Dining out is a big part of life here — there are tons of great restaurants. If it’s someone’s first time in Saudi Arabia, I usually take them to a traditional local spot for authentic Saudi cuisine. It’s a completely different experience from what you’d find in the US, and it’s something people always remember.”
Beyond the warmth of the dining culture, Erizo also shed light on some aspects of the local nightlife. He shared, “As for clubbing, it really depends on the time of year. Events here can be seasonal because of the weather—outdoor venues aren’t ideal during the summer heat, so you’ll find more indoor events during that time. There are always things happening, but the specific vibe depends on when you’re visiting.”
Looking ahead, Erizo is charting his course with clarity and intention, fully aware that being at the heart of a thriving scene is most important to breaking through on a global scale. “My near-term plan is to eventually make Europe my main base. In the music industry, your location has a significant impact,” he shared. “While Saudi is evolving, it’s still not at a point where it could be a fully sustainable home base for most styles of electronic music.”
Erizo’s latest mix for our This Is Home series reflects his creative process—a dynamic blend of recent influences and ideas that inspire him. He enjoys the freedom to innovate, and you can expect a lot of forward-thinking sounds that offer an honest glimpse into his inner world.
“My taste in music is pretty broad, and that usually comes through in my DJ sets,” Erizo said. “When I’m making a mix for an online channel, I tend to experiment more than I would during a live gig. It gives me the freedom to explore different sounds and ideas, and I think that comes through in the set.”
