Robin Tabor - Interview
The man behind the Sleazy Labels.
Rob Made is the label boss for Sleazy Deep and sub-label Sleazy G. In his own words, London-born Rob describes the project: "Sleazy Deep is a universal collective of underground nu skool disco, deep house funk & ultra modern sonics for bespoke minds. Underground & futuristic, featuring cutting-edge artists from around the globe for the modern world of dance. Continue reading for a Q& A with the label boss, Rob’s ear for deep, grooving house, bona fide producer, DJ talent
COULD YOU START BY TELLING US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF?
Sure, I'm a family man with my Mrs and little boy Beau, with another baby boy on the way for Christmas! I have been in the music business since I was about 20, starting at record distributors Amato to the world-class & renowned classic techno, house & dance label REACT. Moving up the ranks through the years and into digital distribution, I'm now working for Sony Music and running my label Sleazy Deep, new sub-label Sleazy G, and also producing & DJing as Rob Made.
ROB MADE AS AN ARTIST, WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION? DO YOU HAVE A CONCEPT BEFORE YOU ENTER THE STUDIO?
I've been a huge 80's film and music fan since I grew up in that era, yet my first real love & passion for music was in the 90's with early house, old school hardcore, drum & bass. I just love electronic synthesised music, especially epic and euphoric sounds, and my love of pop gives me great passion to work with vocals. Fusing this with modern movements and the sound of now is definitely what inspires me and my sound at that time. I also love what other great artists and producers are doing that I'm playing in my sets, so I always look for inspiration from my peers too. Solomun, Kolombo, Sharam Jey… all are so on point it's ridiculous, true pioneers!
I BELIEVE YOU ARE SELF-TAUGHT TO A GREATER EXTENT. WHEN AND WHERE DID YOU START?
Out & About
Rob Mad live wearing Sleazy G merch.
So I've been DJing since I was at college, and it was all 12" back then, which was something I just loved. I never owned decks; many friends did, and I saw more worth in buying records to play and show my friends up with on the decks (once I'd learnt). From that, it was a natural progression to want to make music, and the first insight to this was Dance EJay haha, then moved quickly onto Cubase and a good friend buying a sampler. Many many hours of playing around followed for years, it wasn't as easy back in my day to just google tutorials like it is today, it probably took me 5yrs to even start using EQ and to understand mixing properly… these were some valuable lessons I learn't from a good friend while working at REACT, Sharky or Jon, he was a true legend in happy hardcore and offered me some tips which really helped me. I saw he was using Logic and decided to get myself a brand new iMac, Logic 7, and I was away. My first tracks on this new set-up were picked up and signed by Matt Stuarts Gung-Ho to launch his label under my name L.E.O, and I followed that with my track on Nic Fancuilli's Saved Records called Yeah! This became Pete Tong’s Essential New Tune in 2007 with Jimpsters Remix, which was an amazing official start. When I look back at my music, I'm proud, but I still had years of learning and changed my sound & style with the launch of Sleazy Deep & Rob Made and this is when things really picked up, I still learn every day from all the people around me & the Sleazy Deep family. I help artists wherever I can and also ask for continued tips myself… I think this is why I love music and producing so much, the endless possibilities and ever-evolving circles of sampling. Things can only ever get better with time, looking back to move forward, just is.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ROB MADE AND YOUR FORMER MONIKERS?
OK, so I started in the electro/dirty underground sound with L.E.O, this was 125bpm, very upbeat, nasty, dirty sound with big synths and lots of progressive elements being such a HUGE Sasha & Digweed fan back then! At the same time I was part of London DJ/Production Duo 2's Company for around 4 years on the London circuit with residencies at EGG & The Cross; in this guise, we had a huge smash on Global Underground. This was more driving tech house & techno. Moving on from there I got my first taste for deep house & slo-mo and started releasing on Grouper & Dutchie Music as London Electric Orchestra this was down tempo 115bpm-118bpm deep trippy tech house kinda stuff, I really enjoyed this sound. Still, when the Nu Disco / Deep House movement properly kicked in with Hot Creations & Cross Town Rebels, I knew I need a change and felt this is where I belong so came up with Rob Made and my label Sleazy Deep.
AS A DJ, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO PLAY AND AS A PRODUCER WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE TRACK FROM YOUR DISCOGRAPHY
My favourite place to DJ ever so far has got to be the Cross (R.I.P.) been shut for years, but there was something so special about those 3 old train arches adjoined by an outside garden terrace. My favourite track of mine is normally the newest one I've finished and most happy with is Bluford Duck - Kissed (Rob Made Remix) but as your saying from my discography I'd go with what made my debut as Rob Made You & Me, my recent remix of Bob & Lukes Hollywood on Sleazy Deep or my original track which I turned Solomun down to sign - The Way I See, I was just too nice and didn't want to upset a license deal I'd just made with another label… what was I thinking!!! ;- (
THE LABEL SLEAZY DEEP, HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT AND WHERE IS IT HEADED?
I came up with the idea after falling in love with the new sound Hot Creations and Crosstown Rebels were pursuing, sleazy deep house. I was running my label F*** House Music at the time with old DJ partner from 2's Company and decided I wanted to start afresh with a new sound and new moniker. Turned out to be a great decision, and the name just fits the scene! Sleazy Deep will continue to move with the trends as long as I'm into it. I'm not jumping on the UK Garage or 90's band wagon, was there the first time around, and I'm just not seeing anything new coming from it. So for now, more deep, sexy house music & nu skool disco fused with vocals, keeping that futuristic edge!
THE SLEAZY ROSTER IS GETTING BIGGER AND SO IS SLEAZY DEEP AS A LABEL; HOW ARE YOU STILL MANAGING TO SUSTAIN OUTPUTTING HIGH QUALITY MUSIC IN SUCH QUANTITIES?
Thanks, the simple truth is I get so many demos sent to me, like f!*% loads; yes, you have to sift through the shit, but you always find something, plus I have a huge network with my artists, their friends e.t.c. So I’m always hearing fresh and exciting stuff. As I do all the A&R, it's me who decides what I like or don't like and can't find it in myself to hand over for someone to filter for me; I feel I need to make any decision when it comes to demos… It's funny answering this; I have about 200 demos to get through right now, and I last cleared my folder 2 weeks ago. I've been putting it off and have many people waiting for answers, haha. I need more time...
ALONGSIDE THE CONSISTENTLY GOOD MUSIC SLEAZY DEEP PUSHES OUT, YOU GUYS HAVE SOME PRETTY COOL ARTWORK THAT ANYONE FAMILIAR WITH THE LABEL CAN RECOGNISE. IS IT TRUE THAT YOU DESIGN THESE YOURSELF AS WELL?
Again, thanks for the kind words. It's true I do it all myself. I went to art college originally and wanted to work in animation and game design yet the maths truly put me off so switched to music after picking up my vinyl addiction; it's been like crack ever since, but I'm glad I get to do the designs for the label as it's something I really enjoy doing too
IN YOUR INTERVIEW WITH UNDERGROUND TEL AVIV, YOU MENTIONED THAT G-HOUSE IS GOING TO BE BIG IN THE US, WHY DO YOU THINK THIS?
I know people in the US, I read blogs and just feel this scene can't go unnoticed! The other reason is the US originated Hip Hop and is currently riding the EDM wave; G-House is the perfect fit.
LOOKING BACK AT WHAT YOU HAVE ALREADY ACHIEVED, WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR ROB MADE?
For Rob Made, the story hasn't properly started; the labels are bigger than me. Yet I am the label(s); I want to keep working on my sound as a producer and see where that takes me :)
WITH THE RAPID EVOLUTION OF DIGITAL MEDIA DISTRIBUTION AND GETTING YOURSELF OUT THERE, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL THE ASPIRING DJS AND PRODUCERS?
Just work hard, don't expect something for nothing. Do your homework and don't expect anything to happen overnight. If it does, you've done your homework and deserve it. Stay true to your passions.
HOW DO YOU KICK BACK, RELAX AND TAKE YOUR MIND OFF ANYTHING WORK RELATED?
Enjoying my family life, kicking back with good food and some good TV & Film. What more do you need?
ROB, THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR TIME WITH ME.
I'm all worded out, but I'd like to say thanks for this & thanks to all for the support xxx
ROB MADE // SLEAZY DEEP // SLEAZY G
