Double the Groove: A Chat with RSquared

What started as a spontaneous back-to-back between two university friends has grown into one of the UK’s most promising house and techno duos. Ryan and Rory, better known as RSquared, met while studying at Bournemouth University and quickly realized their shared taste in groove-led percussion and disco-inspired energy could evolve into something more.

Since releasing their debut EP in 2020, RSquared has built a solid reputation through releases on respected labels including Defected, Knee Deep in Sound, Paco Osuna’s Mindshake, and Deeperfect. Their breakout track Brown Eyes marked a defining moment—earning major support from names like Marco Carola, Jamie Jones, and Hot Since 82, who later signed the duo to his imprint. One of their most streamed releases dropped on the American label House Hats Collective, showing just how far their music now travels beyond the UK scene.

With continued backing from BBC Radio 1 and Capital Dance, the duo continue to expand their reach within modern house and techno. In this interview, Ryan and Rory talk about how it all started, how their sound has evolved over the years, and the realities of today’s music industry—from unexpected breakthroughs to lessons learned on the road.

You both met at Bournemouth University—what sparked the idea to collaborate as RSquared rather than pursue solo projects?

We both originally started out as solo artists. Rory had a solo gig booked in Maidstone, while Ryan was due to play in Bournemouth. When Rory’s event was unexpectedly cancelled, Ryan suggested doing a back-to-back set with him in Bournemouth instead. The chemistry during that set was instant—and that’s how RSquared was born.

Your productions have landed on respected labels like Defected and Knee Deep in Sound. How did those signings come about?

We’ve always admired those labels—they were dream destinations for our music from the very beginning. Our relationship with Hot Since 82 and the Knee Deep in Sound team started quite organically; we’d been sending him demos over email for a while, and one day we sent Brown Eyes. He loved it, and that moment really opened the door for us.

What’s one release that you feel really marked a turning point in your careers?

Without a doubt, Brown Eyes. It was the track where we truly found our sound—blending our love for tech house with nostalgic 80s influences. The response to that record was incredible and felt like a real breakthrough moment for us.

Many DJs like Marco Carola and Jamie Jones have supported your tracks. Do you remember the first time you heard a major artist play your music out?

Yes—Hot Since 82 played our earlier track Reminiscence at a Circus event in Liverpool. That moment will always stand out. It was one of the first major events back after COVID, and the atmosphere was electric. Seeing the crowd’s reaction to our track on such a big stage was surreal.

BBC Radio 1 and Capital Dance have been big supporters—how has radio exposure impacted your trajectory?

Radio support is absolutely vital for a successful release. Every time we receive a Radio 1 play, we notice a significant spike in streams and engagement. It’s an amazing platform to connect with a wider audience and build momentum behind a record.

How do you balance working together in the studio—do you each have specific roles, or is it more fluid?

Since one of us is based in Essex and the other in Portsmouth, we usually collaborate remotely. One of us will start an idea and upload it to Dropbox, and the other will then build on it with a fresh perspective. It’s a workflow that’s evolved naturally and keeps things creative and efficient.

What’s been the biggest challenge of evolving from university collaborators into an internationally recognized duo?

The biggest challenge has been adapting to how multifaceted the industry is now. It’s not just about producing and DJing—you also have to be a content creator, marketer, and strategist. That side of things can be less enjoyable compared to the music itself, but it’s become a key part of the job.

Touring and studio time can clash—how do you keep creativity flowing while on the road?

As our touring schedule gets busier, especially with international dates like South America, finding uninterrupted studio time can be tough. We make a conscious effort to keep creating—even if it’s just sketching new ideas between shows—to stay inspired and maintain momentum.

Who outside of house and techno would you love to collaborate with in the future?

Joy Orbison would be a dream collaborator. His sound design and approach to rhythm are incredibly unique and inspiring.

Is there a club or festival still on your bucket list to play?

Space Miami and Lost Village Festival in the UK are both at the top of our list. The energy and vibe at those events are unmatched.

If each of you could only bring one piece of gear to a desert island studio, what would it be?

Definitely our laptop—it holds thousands of samples, plugins, and ideas. We’d be completely lost without it.

And finally—who’s most likely to miss soundcheck because they overslept?

Rory loves his sleep—but since going sober, he’s become the more punctual one. So realistically, it’s probably Ryan!