Volta, whose real name is Raphaël, has been one of the cornerstones of the Swiss electronic scene for over 25 years. Born in 1982, he was immersed in music from a young age, captivated by his brother's turntables. At 10 years old, he started composing on his first synthesizer and attended Hug Musique in Lausanne, a place that would later become his employer.
Passionate about the first Swiss raves of the 90s, Volta drew inspiration from the raw and visionary sounds of Emmanuel Top, Underground Resistance, Kraftwerk, and The Prodigy. By the age of 18, he was already DJing at Space in Ibiza, and he built his reputation on Swiss and European stages alongside icons such as Vitalic, DJ Hell, and Marco Carola. He is known for his exclusively vinyl sets, where technique and sonic curiosity make each performance a unique experience.
In 2003, he founded VR Records, a vinyl shop that became a cult destination, and then R-Productions, which organized landmark events such as Les Pirates Audio and Les Moulins Bleus, where he supported the local scene and provided a platform for emerging talents. That same year, he launched the VR School, a DJing and music production school, where he shares his knowledge with passion and discipline. The Chocolate DJ Contest, which he has been contributing to from the start, has uncovered several rising stars.
On the production side, his remix for Jesse Somfay in 2006 was praised by artists like Ellen Allien and Richie Hawtin. Alongside Salvatore Freda, he released several EPs on prestigious labels such as Liebe Detail, Music Man, and Remote Area, with tracks played by Carl Cox and Luciano.
Today, at the helm of Wavestudios, an agency specializing in sound design for brands, Volta continues to DJ, teach, and elevate the Swiss techno scene, notably through events like Club François. His unwavering commitment and generosity have earned him the respect of the scene, both for his career and for his dedication to sharing his knowledge.
