Ahead of Justin Robertson’s gig at the second installment of Musiq Concrete this Saturday at the Lightbox, I caught up with him to talk about how his career has managed to last so long!
You’ve been in the dance industry for a while now how have you managed to stand the test of time?
Well as long as the music continues to excite me, then its easy! its such a great position to be in, to earn a living out of something you love. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
What has been the biggest change from when you first started DJing to today?
Well just the massive explosion in electronic music and the proliferation of sub genres, when i first started everyone pretty much played the same records! Because there just weren’t that many producers out there. This was a time before drum n bass , electro, breaks, or anything like that had been formulated! electronic music and music technology really opened up music for all, it was a proper revolution, more so than punk ever was. So now i am gald to say the scene stays fresh as people see new ways to use the technology to create their own sound.
You seem to carry different DJ styles and persona’s varying on where you’re playing is this challenging to keep up with or a welcome outlet?
I am a music sponge, i love to soak! I think its hard to hear everything thats coming out, but I love to dig about for bits, so its a pleasure really, a great way to pass the day!
Are there any current producers who you think could be massive?
A young techno producer called Colin John, leftside wobble on the disco re-edit tip, zombie disco squad and hannah holland will go big time, hot city and l-vis 1990 continue to float my barge .
What do you see as the next steps for yourself as a producer/DJ?
My new deadstock 33’s album is nearly done, new single out on paper recordings and is it balearic -balearic psych folk house! so up for that, working on some raucous dancefloor stuff, and I am involved in a lot of song writing these days, as well as a busy remix schedule, so happily busy.
As you’re such a world renowned DJ and have played at vast range of clubs, can you name a favourite? Or a favourite country to play in, is your home town of London still up there?
you can’t beat a london rave up. Bugged out is still my fave crowd love it!
I adore Argentina, I’ve had some amazing times there, especially playing with the chemical brothers in a mad rain storm!
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Glad to have a chance to write about this guy as he’s been occupying my player a lot recently. Bought a vinyl of his years back and it’s great to see how far he’s come in terms of production. The man in question is Phonat, he’s got a new album out, and while still a relative newcomer to the electro scene, I’d definitely consider him one of the finest producers out there at the moment. His style is an infectiously catchy mix of French House and chopped-up melodic electro, and he’s been dabbling in drum & bass too, with excellent results. “Love Hits the Fan” is the second release from the self-titled album, which you can listen to in full on Beatport. It’s out on official release, along with a sweet remix package, in about 10 weeks, in the meantime, get a load of this epic promo video! Also, if you’ll forgive me a cheeky re-host (thank you Penned Madness), you can grab a wicked re-edit of his the first release from the album,”Set Me Free”, in full mp3 quality, below.
Just got a hot little remix that Nadisko sent us to give to y’all. Its surprising anything good can come from a remix of INXS but the boys have managed to create a club banger that will get everyone dancing.This is a song which will grab you by the hair and drag you kicking and screaming to the dancefloor (check the breakdown at around 3.10 to see exactly what i mean). Expect to hear lots more from these guys in the next coming months…BIG THINGS BE COMING!
Our breaks loving bretheren from This Is Breaks have sent us through an exclusive for you guys to grab. Breaks maestro, Plaza De Funk has done up a supremely cool mini-mix for TIB who have sent through to us to share as an exclusive. This one is for his latest single’s release which is rating highly across the breaks kingdom, Push’N'Pull has got the slick sounds of the Stanton Warriors with a sexy vocal feature from Miss Trouble.
My opinion on the new single is that Mr. De Funk has one upped the Warriors with this single, taking a classic sound and making it his own. It’s an energetic number and one of my favourite breaks tunes this year. So where’s the business?! Right below.
Tracklist is as follows;
Plaza De Funk Ft. Miss Trouble – Push’N'Pull (Gigi Barocco Remix)
Push’N'Pull is up for grabs on Beatport now! Shoot over and buy it, I just did. The original is a delicious slice of breakbeat goodness and Gigi’s remix is super squeaky.
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I love nostalgic feelings and I’d like to thank Emperatron for bringing about that feeling today upon hearing their top notch rework of the 90’s classic by Babylon Zoo, Spaceman.
Really loving the electro lead on this one, the glitched up chipmunk vocals, the lead presents an inspirational vibe. I really think this one would work a treat at an old-skool rave, it’s got the modern kick of house and the lovable lyrics of an electronic classic.
They also sent through a really chilled out Dubstep remix of Fukkk Off’s More Than Friends. This one has a lovely low slung bassline that builds and sweeps with bassy goodness. These guys know how to nail a feel good vibe!
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Sorry to Against the Grain for this one, as I’ve been meaning to cover it for a while, but this iPhone app is one seriously badass piece of…app.
What I’m loving about this is it’s simple execution, it’s kind of like a sampling cheat sheet so people like myself who are hilariously unskilled behind the decks can gain that extra bit of confidence in their ability and track freshness. It’s got an amazingly simplistic interface as well and it’s a plug and play sampling tool. All thumbs up for Krafty Kuts and Against the Grain on this one.
You can pick this one up on iTunes. Now before you cringe, it’s the app store. Not the music store…
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Just received a little gem from coco machete records regarding SCNDL’s new EP ‘Need to Know’. This is a great Ep featuring some absolutely blinding remixes: Lee Mortimer takes the main riffs and raves it up with his turbulent basslines while Markus Lange & SteroFunk keep it on the deeper side of dark electro. Fukkk Offf wraps up the package witha simple yet effective edit that fattens things up on the bottom while keeping it glued to the floor. I highly recommend you check them all out on Beatport!
Last Friday, man of the moment Alan Hostage recorded a blinder of an essential mix with Annie Mac. Hostage had the crowd going at a 100mph with his blinding bass heavy music! (sweat was actually dripping off the ceiling and speakers) Incase you missed it we have the whole set for your listening pleasure. Hostage was also kind enough to send us his latest banger ‘Skin Out’ in full 32okbps glory!
