You don't get rich throwing a reggae party

The Zug-based duo Rising Fyah Sound grew out of a friendship between two young men. Today, Severin Fabris and Sandro Schgör perform on international stages and are among the few DJs in Switzerland who have remained loyal to reggae and dancehall over two decades.
 

Severin Fabris (36) from Zug and Sandro Schgör (36) from Cham have been manning the turntables together now for two decades. Their collective, Rising Fyah Sound, will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special night at the Galvanik venue on Saturday, 3rd October. For the pair, the event is about much more than just a birthday party. "Really, it’s about bringing reggae back to Zug," says Severin Fabris. "We want to share this music with people and show that it’s still alive and well here."

From the first meeting to a shared sound system
The two met as teenagers. At the time, Severin Fabris was already organising events at Industrie45, and had started collecting records. "I actually organised events before I started DJ-ing myself," he recounts. Sandro Schgör was a regular at reggae parties. "I already knew Sevi was a DJ. We kept running into each other at events, until he asked if I wanted to join his sound system." A sound system? This refers to a collective that plays music, organises parties, and keeps reggae and dancehall culture alive. What began as a chance meeting blossomed into a friendship - and a duo that continues to sustain the Zug reggae scene to this day.

The name "Rising Fyah Sound" alludes to Jamaican culture, where sound systems have played a central role for decades. "'Fyah' is the Jamaican pronunciation of 'fire'," explains Severin Fabris. Fire, he notes, symbolises energy and expression. The term "Sound," meanwhile, traces back to Jamaican sound systems - mobile setups featuring speakers, turntables and DJs that used to travel through neighbourhoods.

Why they refuse to compromise
While many DJs today blend various genres, Severin Fabris and Sandro Schgör have remained true to their musical style. "We could have easily played whatever was trending at the time," says Sandro. "But we always wanted to stick to reggae and dancehall." Although Afrobeats might make the speakers thump during the occasional set these days, the core remains unchanged. "It’s important to us that people know what we stand for. Anyone who comes to see us should hear exactly that."

Severin Fabris (36, right) and Sandro Schgör (36) have known each other since they were 16.
The duo Rising Fyah Sound celebrated one of their greatest successes by winning the "Trouble Soundclash" in Stuttgart.                Photos courtesy of the artists
 

Staying true to their musical roots, however, wasn't always easy, as the reggae and dancehall scene has shrunk in recent years. "There are far fewer parties dedicated solely to these genres nowadays," says Severin Fabris. "In the past, there were many more subcultures. The focus today is often on music for the mainstream." adds Sandro Schgör. Nevertheless, conforming to current trends was never an option for the pair. "We would never play songs we don't believe in just because they happen to be trendy," says Sandro Schgör. "We do this out of passion," adds Severin Fabris. "There are perhaps one or two sound systems in Europe that can actually make a living from reggae. Everyone else does it because they love the culture."

Jamaica as a formative experience
Their passion took the duo beyond their local region: what began with parties in Zug evolved into performances across Switzerland and, later, abroad. Last year, Rising Fyah Sound won the prestigious "Trouble Soundclash" in Stuttgart, having previously taken second place at the "Rumblemania Soundclash XXL" in Wuppertal. "We had to work for all of this step by step," says Severin Fabris. "That’s why this success means so much to us."

A trip to Jamaica - the birthplace of reggae and dancehall - had a profound impact on the pair. "Up until then, we only knew the culture from parties, videos, and stories," recalls Sandro Schgör. "Experiencing it firsthand was something else entirely." For Severin Fabris, the trip was a pivotal moment: "That was where we had our 'aha' moment. Suddenly, we understood how this music is part of everyday life," says Sandro Schgör. They returned to Switzerland with this new understanding. "We wanted to take that feeling with us and share it." It was clear to them from the start that it was never just about the money: "You certainly don't get rich throwing reggae parties."

The duo leaves open the question of whether the anniversary event will lead to future gatherings. Only one thing is certain: as long as the passion remains, Rising Fyah Sound will keep going. Sandro Schgör sums up what has driven the duo for 20 years: "We do this because we love the music. If we can share our enthusiasm and get others excited too, then we’ve achieved our goal."

An evening of reggae
The anniversary event takes place on Saturday, 3rd October, at the Galvanik in Zug. A relaxed musical gathering will kick off at 5 pm in the "kleine g." The doors to the Galvanik open at 9 pm, with the live performances starting at 11 pm.
In addition to Rising Fyah Sound, the lineup features internationally renowned reggae artist Cali P and Lucerne-based singer Carmabylon. The program is rounded out by Sungun, Mo Fyah, Zhion, Bad Company, and DJ Slo Mo.
Admission is CHF 25, whether purchased in advance or at the door.