The Phonetic Recordings boss with his ‘808 Digital (Say What)’ one of the tunes of 2012
Yo Rob, another grand summer for you. Well the word around the Med this summer is all about your 808 Digital (Say What) tune with loads of huge DJs chasing for it. Tell us about the tune…
“It’s all gone a bit nuts really, I’m still pinching myself. I took the track out to Ibiza at the start of July, making sure all the big DJ’s through to the west end residents had a copy. Since then I’ve been getting several calls/emails a day from DJ’s, Radio & Clubbers trying to get their hands on copies. It seems every time it gets played, people are asking what it is. Eddie Gordon mailed it to his King of Spins Global Radio list last week, it shot straight to the No.1 spot on their Top 20 Radio chart the next morning.”
You’ve been back at your second home We Love…at Space again, how has this season been, it seems they are back on track again…
“We Love always have their finger on the pulse, the music programming, DJ’s Booked, Production and Promotion are second to none. A lot of thought and homework goes into a We Love Line up, it’s educational yet entertaining and makes for one serious party. Wherever I go in the world (or Ibiza) people ask me about We Love with a genuine fondness…It’s the highlight of the clubbing week on the white island and a real honour to be asked to play there.”
Where else on the white isle have you had a chance to check out that’s been smashing it?
“Finally got the chance to go to Ushuaia this summer, a festival’esque venue that looks great. It was just a bit flat musically on the night we were there, with the crowd waiting for something to happen. It’s great for the island though, helping to move things forwards and keeping the other clubs on their toes.”
Who’s DJ sets have impressed you this summer?
“Groove Armada are guaranteed to deliver on every set, my good friend Jason Bye has become a legend in his own right performing day in day out on the Island. Derrick May, but then you’d expect nothing less.
Roger Sanchez raised the bar about ten notches when I heard him play, prob one of the most exciting, technical DJ sets I’ve heard in a long time.”
Where are the places you like to chill when you are there?
“Talamanca Beach, Cala Salada to get away from it all…Salinas is still a big fave for lots of people, great for people watching, that’s not a reference to the nudists either!”
The major 4 clubs in Ibiza this week have told the local councils that they will not be opening until July next year because all of the open air clubs like Ushuaia and Ocean Beach Club are taking away their business with their opening hours. Thoughts on this?
“Is this actually true? Not sure if trying to hold the council to ransom is probably the best idea, they make things tough enough as it is. But if so, the clubs will know what they are doing.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
Rob Roar (We Love Space) August Top 10
1. Rob Roar – 808 Digital (Say What) (Rob Roar’s What We Say Mix)
2. Roland Clark, The New Iberican League – Work It (Club Mix)
3. Rob Roar – Get Static (Rob Roar’s Terrace Attack Mix)
4. Robotman – Do Da Doo (Christian Smith Tech House Remix)
5. Chus & Ceballos, Cevin Fisher – Lost In Music (Manuel De La Mare Space Mix)
6. Loleatta Holloway – Love Sensation (Gregor Salto Acid Vocal Mix)
7. ACME – Transition (Original Mix)
8. Mathias Siwell – Always Tired (El Mundo & Satori Remix)
9. Pirupa – Party Non Stop (Vocal)
10. Maceo Plex – Deez Nutz (Original Mix)
The world’s nightclubs and stadiums are full to the rafters with everyone dancing to the dance beat. So why is British clubland so dire at the moment? One DJ yesterday told us he thinks it is all down to British club owners being complacent and left behind by their rivals around the globe. We were once the envy of everyone, DJs now shudder when they see a UK booking in their busy diaries…
“That’s a question to which the debate could go on for hours, Certain factors would include; DJs being booked because they can bring 40 people with them instead of their musical taste & talent, resulting in some pretty boring DJ sets and in turn disillusioned crowds. The Cocaine influx a few years back definitely changed the dynamics as did bars being able to stay open later whilst booking House DJ’s. Some of the Dance Music Press also seem to have lost touch somewhat, the days of Dan Prince’s Club Country in Mixmag definitely helped educate an army of Clubbers about nights that they otherwise wouldn’t have heard of. There are quite a few club owners who haven’t updated sound systems, CDJ2000 decks etc, they think they are saving money, but in the long run it has a negative affect. Saying that, there are still some very good London nights, it’s just cherry picking the right ones. I too was getting a little bored when going out in London, the main reason we at Phonetic Recordings decided to start doing parties. We’ve taken little snippets of the best bits of clubbing we’ve experienced from around the world, and put them under one roof with an amazing response. Our We Are Phonetic parties at Pacha London have been excellent, teaming up with Scott Cuba who for 10 years hosted of one of the best kept secrets in London Clubland ‘Coco Cuba’, The first time I played there I was blown away…reminiscent of the Chuff Chuff Parties. We’re now doing the first Saturday of the month at Pacha London, kicking off on Sat 6th October Bi-monthly. Our next Phonetic Presents party at McQueen, Shoreditch is on Saturday 17th November, Get em in the diary! Other great London clubs include Cargo, Shoreditch, I played there on Saturday for the Hat Club, the crowd was amazing, massive queues outside and the whole place rocking inside. Another big favourite is Lo-Profile, run by the Gaydar Radio Owners…The closest thing to playing Ibiza in London.”
What has been your anthem of the summer?
“I’m genuinely embarrassed to say this, but my 808 Digital (Say What) has had the biggest reaction of the night everytime it’s dropped, it builds into a real frenzy and always gets the crowd rocking.
We Love Space Footage: Rob Roar – 808 Digital (Say What)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofFvfQzjGWs&feature=relmfu
How is the sponsorship deal going with Pioneer, what does it entail?
“Really good, I spent the day with Rob, the Pioneer technical whizz kid, showcasing the new product and demonstrating some pretty serious moves on the DJM2000, I’ve picked up all sorts of tips and tricks to incorporate into my sets. It’s amazing what that mixer can do by combining certain effects at the same time. Check this out too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEVnaLDL2VU
What has Phonetic Recordings got coming out over the next few months…
“I’m really excited about our forthcoming release schedule, some great great tracks…
Rob Roar ‘808 Digital (Say What)’ is finally released this week on Beatport: http://bit.ly/SeknCV
Colorless have new EP out on 20/8/12: http://bit.ly/PR3rQG
Damien J. Carter, Michael Maze, Matt Devereaux ‘Dare’ (DJ Chus Mix) http://bit.ly/PiTSvJ
Rob Roar ‘Get Static’ http://bit.ly/PdRfgO
Soulful Brothers ‘Work It’: http://bit.ly/PR3a0i
John Moss EP A really nice package from one of the Bora bora Ibiza residents: http://snd.sc/PhSf54
Martijn ten Velden ‘Wish U Woud’ The Remixes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNt7QVNWnsk
We also have a big track forthcoming in conjunction with Paul Oakenfold, just being finished, it’s been tearing up Dancefloors for Paul & myself off an unfinished version. We’re really looking forwards to working it.”
What is coming next from you studio wise…
“In the past I had always struggled finding the time, running the label, DJ’ing & being a general nuisance! Hence our Max Linen productions coming out once in a blue moon. 2012 is different, I’ve sectioned off parts of my diary in advance to make sure I get some good studio hours in. Just finished my Get Static single out in September on Phonetic which has been getting a wicked response when played, some We Love Footage: http://bit.ly/PR43FV
Expect to see many more Rob Roar productions on the latter part of this year.
What other labels do you think have done well this year…
“It’s good to see Simon & Defected continuously putting out great records, Alex Arnout’s Dogmatik is great, DJ Chus, Daley Padley, Noir & Christian Smith are also doing some great things, Keep an eye out for Deli Records too.”
Away from dance music, what sort of artists do you like listening to at home or on the move…?
“I’ve been a big fan of The Drums over the last few years: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuC1bCoH2TY
My ipod is a real mish mash of everything, loving Grimes ‘Genesis’, there’s a great Renaissance Classics CD I keep listening to, other tracks from of Oasis, Robert Smith, Kaisers, The Jam, Foster The People & Hotel Costes thrown in there too. One of the track’s that most impressed me as of late is Gotye ‘Somebody I used to know’…That’s a genius production.”
What are your thoughts on EDM in America at the moment? Chris Lake seems to think that the US have had their golden period right now and is worried about how much the money is steering the dance music wagon the way the big promoters want it to go. In other words, the scene has lost it’s soul over there…
“I’m playing at the Hard Rock Pool party in Las Vegas on Sat 1st September, I was chatting with Paul Oakenfold the the day (Paul is playing the day after) and he had mentioned if I had experienced the dance music invasion in Vegas yet? I was there a couple of years ago but it was fairly low profile, by all accounts it’s really blown up in Vegas now. It wasn’t a particular reference to EDM, but the scene there as a whole. EDM for me is Pop music, it’s great that it has it’s own moniker, keeping it separate from good quality underground House Music.”
From an industry point of view, what are your views on the state of the record industry in the UK at the moment. What are the worries for you and what are the good signs?
“I speak to labels and producers daily, it’s def very tough out there. Sales are poor as music is a lifestyle expense, to top this you have the digital file sharing hammering the industry, it’s only now that the Film industry are piping up, things are slowly starting to happen to combat it. But it’s all happening far too slow. I just hope we don’t lose some of the great producers that feel they can’t earn a living from releasing singles. The positive side is that LIVE performances seem to be going from strength to strength, I seem to be gigging all over the place right now, playing some amazing venues.”
And finally, tell us about some of the great clubs you have rocked around the world in 2012…
“It’s all about We Love Space for me, to play the main slot on the Sunset Terrace, is as good as it gets. I’m genuinely in love with the place and the people, if I only played there ever again…I’d be a happy boy…”
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Rob Roar August News Letter
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