We're so excited to continue our Brighton Mixtapes Series. Since the success of our beloved Berlin Mixtapes Series, which has featured awesome guests so far, we are on a mission to showcase more of the exciting talent that is right on our doorstep.
Next up we welcome a familiar face within Brighton's Techno scene. Rob Holme has been smashing up dance floors and flinging bangers across radio airwaves for quite some time now. Starting his career on the circuit at the CUBE, Rob also used to run his own Techno night with two friends entitled Elements of Groove. Not only that, Rob is also a recognisable face as a resident for longstanding club night Tech-Noir.
Rob's mixes are a blend of Nu-Disco and Deep House through to Tech and Techno. Playing Techno however is where Rob feels happiest. This has taken him to frequent and play at many venues in Brighton as well as London and internationally in Belgium and Greece.
Rob has also been a regular on the radio airwaves with shows on Trickstar Radio and Codesouth.fm. In the past he was also a key partner in the globally syndicated radio show Global Dance Session, which featured in over 30 countries.
We caught up with Rob to find out more.
Hi Rob, how are you and what have you been up to this week?
Sadly not much as I have a terrible cough! Apart from that I am doing very well. I have been doing much online browsing for music equipment and sample packs this week. I am now finally going to try my hand at producing. Still a total novice here, so who knows what will happen.
How long have you been DJing?
I would say around 20 odd years now. I started on a pair of plastic belt driven Tandy record players (an electrical retailer that closed many years ago) with a little pitch control dial on the front and a realistic looking mixer from the same shop.
What inspired you to start DJing?
During my school days I was invited along to a house party. I was watching these guys mixing music on a pair of decks playing vinyl. I just stood there for around four hours just watching them and I was instantly hooked.
Not long after that, I started looking into equipment for myself but sadly at the time the price and funds did not match. The price of vinyl wasn't cheap. I was sightly broken, things had to change and luckily they did.
What sort of music can people expect when they come to see you play?
It totally depends on the type of night as I play a wide range of genres. Electro Swing is my guilty pleasure but I also love to play Deep House, House, Tech, Techno and Progressive.
Where was your first gig and how did it go?
There used to be a venue in Brighton called the CUBE. They used to have an open deck night on a Sunday. I never originally wanted to play in pubs or clubs but my friends at the time kept on at me to go and enter it, so I finally gave in.
After agreeing a date and time with the venue host (Brian Cheetham), I was ready to pick out some tunes. Naturally, I was sifting through my vinyl collection until my friends asked me what I was doing! "Going through my vinyl, that's what I'm doing!" - They were quick to point that the venue only had CDJs. I panicked, as I was only used to playing vinyl and I didn't have a clue how to play on CDJs!
I quickly had to figure out how to get my music onto CDs and before long the weekend had landed and it was time to rock up at the venue. I got behind the booth and felt like I was in a spaceship with all these flashing lights in front of me. I had a CD in one hand trying to figure out where to insert it, but I played it cool by saying ’just checking all the controls’.
I didn’t know what the hell I was doing as I had never seen a CDJ before let alone played on one. It's fair to say that out of the 7 tracks I played I think I mixed three of them with any grace. It can't have been that bad though as I was asked back and then to held down a residency there.
You used to run a night in Brighton called Elements of Groove. Tell us more about that.
The night involved myself and two Hungarian guys George and Jani. They heard me playing at the CUBE and got in contact with me saying they liked my style and sound. They asked if I wanted to play for them and offered me the chance.
Sadly, at the time I was off to Australia to visit my family but when I returned we spoke again and arranged a gig. It went really well and I ended up joining them to make a trio. We stayed together for around 8 years until different paths in our lives separated us. Jani gave up music and George returned back to Hungary.
You have also been a radio DJ for a number of years. Which stations have you played at and tell us a little more about the shows?
Yes, radio has been part of my life for quite some time and I have some great memories. I started on Trickstar Radio with the boys (Jani & George) playing every Friday night from 20:00 until 22:00 and we did that for four years.
I had a little break as we separated but then got the urge to start up again, this time joining Codesouth.fm with a weekly show. The show was called Techno Addiction, which also ran every Friday at the same time. I ended the show around two months ago as I want to put my energy and time into producing.
You regularly come to Berlin-Brighton and hang out with the crew a lot. What is it about the night that is special to you?
The people, the atmosphere and great music. You have brought a quality night to the city and it has been one of the longest running nights in Brighton. You should be very proud my friend.
Where's your favourite place to just kick back and chill in Brighton?
I am not a massive lover of town or city pubs, they are not my thing. The best place however, I would say, is the Block Bar on St. James Street. It's such a great place and I have always had an awesome time there. If you are reading this and you have not been to this venue, then you need to pay it a visit.
And equally, where's your favourite place to let loose?
For me there is only three venues in Brighton. These are the Waterbear, the Volks and Concorde 2.
Which other DJs or producers are you liking right now?
Bart Skils, Cosmic Boys, Sisko Electrofanatik, Tony Romanello, Annie Hill, Zafer Atabey. Just to name a few that are doing it for me right now.
What are your go-to labels?
Terminal M, Gain Records, Redlof Records, Infekted Records, Drumcode and Red Channel Records.
You have compiled our latest Brighton Mixtapes Series Episode 028 - Tell us more about your mix.
This one is full of peak time rollers with a few break down tracks. There are a few vocals in there too. This is the style of Techno I really enjoy. Have a listen and I hope you enjoy it.
What else can we expect from you soon? What's next on the horizon for DJ gigs, where can people see you next?
I have been laying low for most of the year due to the passing of my dear mother. It hit me harder than I thought and have only recently started getting myself back out into the open world. In the new year I will start my hand at producing and see what happens and no doubt I'll be back behind the decks DJing again soon too.
Exciting stuff! It's been an absolute pleasure as always talking with you Rob. Next up here's the Quickfire Round:
Genre: Techno
Favourite Colour: Light grey
What do you put on your chips: Ketchup
Apple or Android: Apple all day long
Can you juggle: No
First record ever bought: Grant Nelson - Spellbound
Do you collect anything: Grey hair from my Hungarian sidekick Szabi
Favourite place to hang out in Brighton: Block Bar
Coffee or Tea: Coffee
Favourite beer: Don't drink
Weirdest food you have eaten: Some Australian dried bug
Favourite Track right now: Can't limit this to one track
View on Seagulls: OK when not trying to steal my food
Favourite seafood: Prawns
Favourite word/expression: OHHH MAN
3 words to describe your mix: Peaktime, Techno, Goodness
Tracklisting:
Marco Cordi & Luca Antolini - Language (Original Mix)
Goteko - Cyllene (Original Mix)
Eric James - Cosmic Revolution (Original Mix)
Magin Karica - Ethereal Voices (Original Mix)
MESH (SA) ft SAFY - Zamam (Stoked Remix)
Horatio & Folual - Chosen (Original Mix)
Frankyeffe & VE/RA - It's Time (Original Mix)
Metodi Hristov ft Marie Vaunt - I Am Free (Patrik Berg Remix)
Besty Fritz - Replay (Original Mix) [Promo TBA]
BASTET & Samuel Well - Mental Disorder (Original Mix)
Kate Hex - Depth & Control (Original Mix)
Angel-V-Tryambakam (Original Mix)
Dykstra - Yourself (Original Mix)
Norvis - Antigram (Original Mix)
Alberto Ruiz - Microtonic (Rojan Remix)
Vincent (IT) - Transient (Original Mix)
UMEK - Shanti (Original Mix)
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