The 295th episode of our 12 Questions segment features producer Bob The Groove.
1. How old are you, where are you living and how long have you been producing and Djing?
I’m 43, Living in Lille, in the north of France. I’ve been producing at home since years…
2. Where do your musical roots lie, what are your first memories of electronic music and when did you know you wanted to pursue it seriously? Are there any particular productions or artists from the past that really made you think to yourself ‘this is what I want to do.”
My first memory of electronic music was in the early nineties. I was a student then, and arrived in Lille with is a city not far from the belgium frontier. I discover electronic Music here in belgian Club (Boccacio, AtTheVilla and many others…). In this time I already was interested by making music, and I started then with my amiga computer… In 1998 I Buy my first « real » synth, wich was a Roland MC303… and This was the real starting point. In these days I was inspired by various artists like Moby, Hardfloor.
3. How difficult was learning to produce for you in the beginning? Did you take any Audio Engineering programs or production courses to help you out or are you pretty much self taught? And did anyone give any advice early on that really helped?
Learning to produce for me is a long 20 years trip… I began with grooveboxes and no sequencer softwares… and step by step I modify my home studio setup till having my today’s configuration. I never took any courses and never had any advices from nobody… that’s probably one part of why it took so long 🙂
4. What parts of the production process do you find the most difficult and what comes easiest for you? When you do hit a creative block what helps you through it?
For me, the most difficult part of production process is mastering…. Building a track, searching melodies and beats are much more my cup of tea… 🙂
5. What’s a normal day like for you? Do you have a job outside of electronic music? And what do you like to do when you’re not working on music?
Yes… I have a job outside of Electronic Music. So, when I don’t work outside and either make music I cook for my family and friends…
6. Apart from electronic music what other genres do you listen to and who are your favourite artists outside of electronic? and do these genres or artists have a direct effect on your own productions?
When I don’t listen Electronic Music, I’m keen on Reggae music, Bob Marley, Tiken Jah Fakoly … Do they inspire me? I don’t know…
7. What was the first and last physical (CD, Vinyl, Cassette etc) piece of music you bought?
Ouch… it think it was « Depeche mode Remixes 81-04 » ….
8. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people?
… Well… can I use my joker on that one?
9. Which producers in your opinion get consistently overlooked?
They are so many…
10. Which producers consistently inspire you? And where else does your inspiration come from?
mmm. I dont really know where my inspiration comes from. In these days there are some producers that I really like … worakls, joachim pastor, kollektiv turmstrasse, oliver koletzki …
11. There are countless producers out there trying to find their way and create their own unique sound, what advice do you have for them?
Do what you like! Don’t try to sound like others…
12. If the final DJ/live set of your career was next week what would your last track be?
Probably Mory Kante – Yeke Yeke (Hardfloor Remix)
‘Bristol City Sunset’ is out now on 238W, you can purchase the release: here
