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?
Iโm 43, Living in Lille, in the north of France. Iโve been producing at home since yearsโฆ
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 othersโฆ). In this time I already was interested by making music, and I started then with my amiga computerโฆ In 1998 I Buy my first ยซย realย ยป synth, wich was a Roland MC303โฆ 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 tripโฆ I began with grooveboxes and no sequencer softwaresโฆ and step by step I modify my home studio setup till having my todayโs configuration. I never took any courses and never had any advices from nobodyโฆ thatโs 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 masteringโฆ. Building a track, searching melodies and beats are much more my cup of teaโฆ :-)
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?
Yesโฆ I have a job outside of Electronic Music. So, when I donโt work outside and either make music I cook for my family and friendsโฆ
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 donโt listen Electronic Music, Iโm keen on Reggae music, Bob Marley,ย Tiken Jah Fakoly โฆ Do they inspire me? I donโt knowโฆ
7. What was the first and last physical (CD, Vinyl, Cassette etc)ย piece of music you bought?
Ouchโฆ it think it was ยซย Depeche mode Remixes 81-04ย ยป โฆ.
8. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people?
โฆ Wellโฆ can I use my joker on that one?
9. Which producers in your opinion get consistently overlooked?
They are so manyโฆ
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 โฆ worakls, joachim pastor, kollektiv turmstrasse, oliver koletzki โฆ
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! Donโt try to sound like othersโฆ
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
