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Rob Brown Interview
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Czarkastik replied on Mon Mar 7, 2005 @ 5:38pm |
 Coolness: 149155 | Steve Lalla interviewed Rob Brown for an upcoming column.. unfortunately the Hour won't have room to print everything Rob said, so here's a transcipt of the whole thing, for the heads...!
lallaland-first of all, excuse my ignorance, but is Rob Brown your real name? You are excused ;) , and yes, it is - Robert Michael Brown. It’s actually a bit of an issue at the moment because there is a progressive Dj out of the UK trying to make a name for himself and he goes by Rob Brown as well. I’m not thrilled about that, and I don’t know if that is his real name. Then of course, there is the Bruno Brown – Rob Brown thing here in Montreal. They sometimes get our gigs mixed up in papers (myself and Bruno), and people often come up to me asking me “aren’t you playing at ____ tonight?”, but it’s actually Bruno. I’m sure the same thing has happened to him. lallaland-when did you start DJing? why and how did you get into it? There are two answers to that. One is I saw the movie Juice and thought it looked cool. The other is less dorky and not as cute. I used to skateboard, many moons and 30 pounds ago. I was into bands like the descendents, firehose, UMC’s, Souls Of Mischief, Gangstarr – Lots of melodic punk rock, alternative and early underground hip hop. I HATED dance music. My girlfriend at the time was heavily into Snap’s “rhythm is a dancer”. I hated that song. Then one night, in the summer of 1993, I ended up at a rave/warehouse party somehow. I know it sounds cheesy, but that changed everything. Also, it’s funny, because skaters hated “ravers” back then, and I figured I would end up making fun of “ravers” all night, but that did not happen. Far from it. In retrospect, because I did not really know why I got so wrapped up in it at the time - There was something about all these people getting together in these dark rooms and dancing all night long that appealed to me. Also, the fact that it was so “underground” at the time. You really felt like you were a part of something – Something that not many people knew of, because they didn’t at the time. Then of course, there was the music and the DJ. The idea that this cat behind 2 turntables and a mixer could control the mood/energy/ of a room/ crowd and take people away from there everyday problems, and maybe give them a memory threw music that would last forever was also very appealing to me. To be honest, at the very beginning it was mostly a social thing – because at the time, all I did was wake up, skateboard all day, go to bed and then repeat that pretty much every day. My social interactions were limited to my friends who I skated with. But within 3 parties, the music grabbed me, and the dj bug hit me. I also have to give credit to the Tiga and Gnat show (RIP) for turning me on to allot of music. I do still miss skateboarding though. Oh, I got my first pair of decks in 1994 and my first gig new years eve 1995. I was a fierce bedroom DJ for a year ;) . lallaland-what style of music were you playing at the time? My first few records were Hip Hop Cutz. I remember my first 3 records. One by black moon, one by souls of mischief and one by funkdoobiest. I dabbled in D n B for a few months in the very beginning – But got into the whole “Funky Breaks” thing pretty quick. I was really into hip hop, and D n B was kind of like Hip Hop beats sped way the fuck up, bur without the rapping. Then when I heard “funky breaks” – I found a nice medium, because it was faster than hip hop, but not as fast as D n B. There was something special about breaks as well. I can’t really describe it with words. The feeling of that music really grabbed me, and as for the crowd, it was great stuff to dance to. Breaks were huge in the early rave days- Not only in MTL, but on both coasts – east and west. I could go on forever about breaks. They were as I like to say, my “first love” – But I’ll digress. I started incorporating some early progressive house into my sets within a year, but that did not last long. By the time I was resident @ Sona (Summer 96) , I was playing a mixture of house and breaks – But I was definitely getting more into the house thing. lallaland-how would you describe the style of music you play nowadays? I play house. Period. When I was playing allot of breaks - I got the stigma of being a “funky breaks” dj. I admit, I was at first, but I started incorporating different sounds pretty quick. But I was still known as “the funky breaks DJ”. It took a long, long time to shake that. Now, I seem to have the stigma of being a “funky house” dj, or a “jacking Chicago house” dj. Sure, I love Chicago house, and once again, I admit that allot of the stuff that I play is very “chicago” – But at the end of the day I play house. Fuck all the stigmas and categorizations. I like to throw all kinds of stuff into the mix, even a funky break or 2 once in a blue moon – But the base is house music. Am I getting repetitive? Sorry, I tend to do that, but maybe I can get rid of the typecast. I PLAY HOUSE MUSIC. WRITE THAT IN BIG ASS BOLD LETTERS ;) . I would also like to say, that to those of you reading this that think house is a 4/4 beat with a diva screaming over it – There is much, much more to it than that. Also, what you hear where you go to hear what you hear is not all there is to hear ;) . Always be curious about music! There is allot of it out there. Stay curious! Don’t just settle for what is right in front of you. Dig deep;) . lallaland-when did you get into production, and what are you currently up to in that field? I stared fooling around with some software in 2001-2002. To be perfectly honest, I don’t consider myself a “professional” producer yet, and I am a tad lazy with it at times – But I am working / learning more and more as time goes by – And there is allot to learn. I have a record out right now on Odds n Ends that I did with Leon Louder. Next up are releases on Muzique Boutique, Peaches, Momma’s Home Cooking and EST. There are some remixes on the way as well. I’m working on a few different things right now – But I still have lots to learn before I would consider myself a real “producer”. Making music is lots of fun, but it can also be very tedious. What I have realized recently, is its work! You can’t just try something, and if it doesn’t work out the way you like, scrap it, or stop right away. You have to put the time in. I have been lazy with it, because I prefer Dj ing, but I’m starting to take a more serious approach to production. I’m not trying to re-create the wheel just yet, but give me some time. You never know. lallaland-do you think that 'DJ' is a realistic career choice given Montreal's current climate? what about DJ/producer?? That is a tuff question to answer. It is also entrapment ;) . You can definitely make a living off it. I mean, it’s my main source of income, and I do ok – But if you wanna have a house and a wife and some kids, dogs, cats, whatever… you definitely have to step it up. Just being a local DJ can pay well, not so well and everything in between, but if you want to make the big bucks you gotta have big records out or some kind of “hype machine” behind you in most cases. It’s hard to explain quickly, and not something I really care to either. As for it being a “realistic” career choice – It can be. Dj ing and producing can lead to all kinds of different stuff. It’s definitely a tuff industry with allot of politics and allot of BS – But most industries are like that once there is $ to be made aren’t they? I will say this though. You don’t have to be a good dj to be a dj who gets gigs. There are all kinds of ways to get your foot in the door. I will let you draw your own conclusions ;) . (don’t fucking misquote that – I like it that way ;) lallaland-have you experienced the 'grass-is-greener on the other side of the fence' conundrum? do you ever find that its easier, or that you are more respected, being booked and playing outside of Montreal? Conundrum is not the word I would use to describe it – But yeah, totally. Once again, this is kind of hard to answer quicky – I don’t feel much pressure in terms of performing as a Dj, nor do I get nervous when I have to play – But I do feel more pressure at home than when I’m in Ottawa or Overseas. It’s not pressure about my ability to play music- It’s more like…It’s not even pressure really. It’s more a matter of frustration – And that frustration comes from many things that I won’t get into in detail. It’s funny that you mention respect – Because some frustration stems from respect, or rather lack of it in certain situations and from certain people. I think allot of people don’t get the respect they deserve in Montreal. I also think some people use the word respect very loosely, and with little conviction at times. I’m not going to complain though. I do ok, and get to play music for a living. There are sooooo many people who want that, and I get to do it on the level I am doing it at, so I have to be grateful for that. Also, one thing I am very proud of, is that no matter what anyone says about me (and in 10 years, believe me, allot has been said haha) – I have pretty much never heard of anyone saying “Rob Brown sucks” or “Rob Brown is not a good Dj”. I take LOTS of pride in what I do, and am very passionate about it. The fact that people appreciate what I do, or think I’m a good dj is something that keeps me going when things get “dark”. I don’t do this to be cool, I don’t do this to be adored, I don’t do this because it’s all I can do. I do because I love it, and I do it for you! No, not you steve ;) …for YOU. lallaland-tell me about your upcoming gigs.. where, when and what... (in and outside of Montreal over the next couple of months) Ok..This Friday (11th) I’m @ Stereo in the main room with Fred Everything. The next night I’m in Ottawa @ my monthly residency @ Helsinki. The following weekend I’m in Boston. The week after that I’m at Mhotel (951 rachel east) on a Wednesday (the 23rd). Everyone should come to that one. It’s a really cool night with a different concept. Then the 7th of April I’m doing the Broken Crew’s breaks night for there legends of Montreal breaks thing. (you prob know whats actually called steve??) - So if you want to hear me play a breaks set, it doesn’t happen often, so come by. I’m also starting a new residency @ Stereo-Bar one Saturday a month. The first will be on the 9th of April – They have a new deal at the door that will make allot of people very happy. The promo is coming. Then, I’m going to South American to play a few gigs in April and hopefully back to the UK in May. lallaland-what changes have you seen in the electronic music community over the years? in the styles of music? and in the scene itself? All kinds – Everything is always changing. Either in a good way, or bad way or indifferent. The technology available now to make music is insane – So even though in a sense, everything has been done before, it’s at least being done in a different way and with a different edge. The “scene” – It’s gone from 1,000 people in 1993 to 100, 000 people (at least, and in MTL) in just over a decade. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I dunno yet…I’m still trying to figure it out;) . I will say this. There should be less politics and more music and dacing. Less shit talking, and more people getting along instead of hating on one another. Especially in the house scene. It’s really not that big – People need to put there differences aside and work together if they want things to grow. It’s time for more change. lallaland-if your brain was implanted into a winamp program and stuck looping the same three tracks for eternity, which three tracks would they be? Man, that just had to be the last question. Do you know how hard and how much music I would have to look through and listen to to accurately answer that. Haha. Off the top of my head, and this answer could change by the minute. -Something by stevie wonder. -Something by Metallica (Older metallica) -Something by Miles davis oh…And “love song” by deep dish, I want you by “rosie gaines” and some “at that bank” by Gemini. Just 3 – You crazy? For more info: robbrown333@hotmail.com, [ www.hour.ca ] the printed version comes out Thu. March 10th |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Screwhead replied on Mon Mar 7, 2005 @ 6:45pm |
 Coolness: 685740 | Rob Brown kicked my ass at Street Fighter 2 when I was 14.
True story. |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Mico replied on Mon Mar 7, 2005 @ 11:36pm |
 Coolness: 150610 | hehe,
good article though. |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» jase replied on Thu Mar 17, 2005 @ 1:55pm |
 Coolness: 36285 | wicked interview, didnt forget his city hall roots. those were the best days. big up rob brown
james |
Rob Brown Interview
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