Vintage Culture Is Ready to Bring Brazilian House to III Points

House music seems to grow with every passing year, and no one is holding down in Brazil quite like Lukas Ruiz, better known to audiences as Vintage Culture.

With his blend of tech house, deep house, and Brazilian bass, the 31-year-old São Paulo native has helped make a name for himself around the world thanks to his sets at festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra.

"From the time I started compared to today, the growth has been awesome in the dance community," Ruiz tells New Times over email. "In 2024, it's massive and influential. People have a deeper understanding of the scene. International influences have seeped into the culture. The energy in Brazil is unmatched. Our crowds are passionate and very energetic. The audience becomes part of the show. There's also more diversity in the sound, from tech house to melodic and progressive, and more local DJs are pushing boundaries. It's exciting to see where it's heading."

As his career grew, Ruiz started his own label, Só Track Boa, releasing music from the likes of Mochakk, Bruno Be, Padox, and the Temper Trap. Só Track Boa is also the name of the label's music festival, which has quickly become one of Brazil's premiere electronic music events.

"Sé Track Boa translates from Portuguese to English as 'only good tracks.' This is what we've tried to deliver — the best dance music presenting artists in Brazil and around the world," Ruiz explains. "Só Track Boa is something very close to my heart. When we started, we didn't know how big the festival would become. Seeing it evolve into one of Brazil's most important festivals is surreal. For me, it's more than just an event; it's a community 100 percent made in Brazil. It represents the passion of the Brazilian people for electronic music, and it's about creating a space where everyone can connect and share this energy."
So far, the label has done an excellent job of championing Brazilian artists across South America. Its influence is slowly beginning to be felt in the U.S. as it occasionally hosts showcases in cities such as Miami. With the demand for house and other melodic acts on the rise, could Só Track Boa one day bring the festival experience to South Florida?

"Bringing the full festival experience to Miami would be incredible, but for now, we're still focusing our efforts on the Brazilian market," Ruiz says. "On the international front, I'm launching my new label party, Affairs, which will debut in January 2025 in Brazil."

With that in mind, it's worth noting that Lukas has had quite a busy year, performing all over the world as part of his Promised Land World Tour in support of his debut album of the same name. The hype behind him and the album has allowed him to bring that experience to as many people as possible. That includes a headlining slot at III Points this weekend, as well as taking over the decks at Club Space on Saturday, October 19.

Miami holds a special place in Ruiz's heart. He relocated here briefly in 2021 and has spun many memorable sets in the Magic City, including at this year's Ultra Music Festival.

"Ultra and Space shows are always unforgettable," he adds. "I remember playing at Space for the first time. It felt like the crowd never wanted to leave, and I played until sunrise. The connection here is strong because the city just embraces music, and I love to be able to play longer sets."

These Ultra sets are a back-to-back set on the main stage with fellow tech house giant Dom Dolla and a collaborative set with Claptone. Ruiz is as electric behind the decks with a partner as he is by himself, always able to pull the very best from his collaborators.
"When you're solo, you have complete control, and it's more about your journey with the crowd, but B2B sets bring a different energy," he explains. "You feed off each other, and it keeps you on your toes. I'm also a fan of watching DJs I admire, even if I'm part of the show. It's surprising; you never know exactly where the set will go."

At III Points, he's going at it alone, with a set that will likely focus on the tracks found on Promised Land. You can expect his set to include his signature mix of melodic house and Brazilian bass fused with deep, introspective emotional peaks.

"Releasing Promised Land is the culmination of years of production, songwriting, and performing. I've been building up to this moment since my first day as a music producer," Ruiz shares. "To finally share a complete body of work feels incredibly fulfilling. The creative process is something deeper than just single tracks. I wanted to explore new sounds while staying true to my roots."

According to Ruiz, his shows are more than just playing tracks; they are about taking listeners on a journey where the audio, visuals, and energy take over. His ultimate goal is to make people feel free.

"Expect a full journey, from the dusk at III Points to the dawn at Space," he teases. "I'll be dropping lots of surprises, unreleased tracks, and remixes from my album. I love testing new music at Space because the crowd is always open to something new and unexpected — but I don't want to give too much away yet."

Vintage Culture. With Beltran, Blond:ish, Moscoman, and Pawsa. 11 p.m. Saturday, October 19, at Club Space, 34 NE 11th St., Miami; 786-357-6456; clubspace.com. Tickets cost $40 via dice.fm.

III Points 2024. 3 p.m. to 4 a.m. Friday, October 18, and Saturday, October 19, at Mana Wynwood, 2217 NW Fifth Ave., Miami; iiipoints.com. Tickets cost $169 to $569 via iiipoints.frontgatetickets.com.