GET TO KNOW: Grobbie

To us, 2011 very much felt like a warm up, the prelude to something much bigger. Where upcoming artists were just finding their feet last year and honing their skills, it is in 2012 that their talent will be truly recognised. As such we’ve decided to resurrect one of our forgotten features in an effort to give you a definitive heads-up on who you should be looking out for over the next twelve months. To coin a well known phrase, ‘you heard it here first’.

So, without further-a-do, let’s introduce Grobbie, perhaps not in need of an introduction to some and certainly not if you’re a regular to this blog, but on the whole a fresh name who you will definitely be hearing more of. Originally from Aberdeen before migrating to Glasgow last summer, Grobbie has wasted no time in getting himself noticed. With only one email to us we were immediately hooked on his sound – an indescribable melting pot of rumbling sub-bass, pitched up vocal cuts and burning rhythms. Somewhat representative of the current blur between club genres at the moment and falling under that oh-so-lazy but at times necessary term, ‘UK Bass’ – his is a sound that can’t be held down.

Residing under the ridiculously fresh Tuff Wax Records, a label which has made leaps and bounds for Aberdeen while releasing nothing but consistent quality for some time, Grobbie has his feet planted firmly in two cities, both experiencing a boom in home-grown talent. We’re not betting people (well, aside post-club drunken roulette in the Gala Casino), but if we were, we’d have no qualms in declaring Grobbie as ready to blow. His sound is polished, deep, atmospheric, and addictive – it’s what Milton Babbitt envisioned kids dancing to when he built the first electronic synthesizer in the 50’s. Ultimately, Grobbie is the sound of now...

Check out tracks from Grobbie below including a free download of his collaboration with Yoin and the mix he did for us last year:









We also recently caught up with Grobbie to talk Tuff Wax and what 2012 has in store for the producer:

Synth: So you’re originally from Aberdeen but recently moved to Glasgow. How do you find the clubbing community in Glasgow compares to Aberdeen as obviously there’s a lot of great things going on up there too?

Grobbie: Yeah I moved last summer. The Aberdeen scene is on fire right now, some amazing producers coming out of there - Tuff Wax records has definitely been a highlight in the last year. There are some great club nights and promoters pushing really good music and it's only going to get bigger in 2012. The Glasgow scene too, such great DJ's and producers who are owning it just now - just look at guys like Hudson Mohawke and Rustie.

Synth: Tuff Wax Records have been putting out some really good stuff recently, can you explain a little about Tuff Wax and the sound they promote?

Grobbie: Tuff Wax is an independent label run by Lockah, specialising in limited vinyl presses. For me, the sound is all about forward thinking. If you look at the last few releases, nothing is tied down to a single direction or sound. For instance Yoin recently had a release with his own brand of future-juke bass music (I don't even know what to call it, but its mental) and lo-fi grungy-surfpop band Dolfinz had a release in the last couple of months - so it's all pretty varied!


Tuff Wax: Aberdeen Truth

Synth: So taking it back to the beginning, how did you originally get into club music and what inspired you to start producing? Any particular artists that you’d care to namedrop?

Grobbie: Well if we are talking about dance music in general I think I got into it by trying to make beats on a crappy music program, which led me into things like happy hardcore (of all things) to see how it worked. When I moved to uni I got really into drum&bass and it all kind of escalated from there. I remember I saw Skream supporting Dj Hype on my birthday and that just blew my mind - I was pretty hooked on all things bass from then on. If you're looking for a producer/track I think the one that really stood out was Anti-war dub by Digital Mystikz - or just the old dubstep anthems from around 2006.

Synth: Your own sound manifests itself at the crossroads of bass, taking in elements of Dubstep, House, Techno & Garage. How would you personally describe your sound and what do think has influenced your direction?

Grobbie: For ages I was trying to recreate sounds I had heard in clubs, but it just sounded mince haha! I started DJing dubstep in club Origin at a night called Rinseout, which was great - massive shouts to Lo-Profile and De Brain, and of course the owner/promoter Tez. I think I just started experimenting with different sounds to try to find something new, as well as reacting to the whole brostep thing that was blowing up everywhere. If I try to think about labelling the stuff I make I think I would end up boxing myself in and only thinking along one line - you know? I think you've summed my sound up pretty well to be honest!

Synth: So looking ahead over 2012 what can we look forward to from Grobbie in the way of releases and gigs?

Grobbie: Well it's all looking pretty exciting this year, I have a 7'' release with Tuff Wax - with a release show in March. Also I've got some pretty exciting gigs lined up in Glasgow and Aberdeen, so I'll keep you posted on them when I know full details. Apart from that I'm just going to carry on what I've been doing really, looking forward to 2012!

Grobbie on Soundcloud
Grobbie on Facebook