Artist Feature: Saam Roberts

Samuel Roberts AKA " Saam Roberts" is a 25 year old electro house Producer/Remixer from Keighley, Bradford. West Yorkshire, England, UK. Saam's productions we're first unveiled in early 2013 having been discovered by Phunk Junk Records.

Electro Update did a mini interview with Saam Roberts to learn more about him as an artist and his music. He has also been kind enough to make a promo mix of all his latest music just for you! Make sure you listen in to it. 

1.How did your musical journey begin and what age? 

I've been brought up around music really, My dad played guitar a lot when i was younger, he loved blues so that's the kind of stuff I was brought up with. My mum is even more musical than my dad, she used to teach and play a whole heap of instruments including Piano, flute, clarinet & saxophone. As you'd expect, my brother and I went on to play piano at around 7 or 8 years old. Although I no longer play the piano, it undoubtedly helps with my productions.

2. What got you into EDM/djing and producing?

My first memories of dance music is back in the late 90's. Tracks such as "Synthesia" by the Thrillseekers and "offshore" by Chicane are two songs that really stand out to me now. I was sucked in by the journey they take you on. It's something I'd never heard in any kind of music except classical music. 

I didn't start producing music until around 2010 which is when i first heard Skrillex's music. He without a doubt is the person that made me want to make my own music. The fact that all of his tracks are so different was really the key thing. The freedom of being able to make different types of music really appealed to me. 

3. Why have you chosen to go into or should I say specialise in trance and progressive house as opposed to other genres?

Well, this is where I'm going to surprise anyone that's already into my music. I DID start of making Trance and Progressive house, that really dates back to my first love in dance music as mentioned earlier, I was also hugely influenced by Deadmau5's productions and wanted to create similar music to his. BUT, in the last 3 months I feel like I've finally developed my own sound and I don't think it belongs in that "genre" any more. My newer stuff (especially the stuff you'll hear in the mix) is probably "electro" but I feel I've managed to balance trance, Progressive & electro in my own way to really get a unique sound. But the reason I started initially making trance/progressive was to try to create something as awe inspiring as the stuff Chicane has in the past.

4. How would you describe your sound/style of music?

Well, to elaborate on what I've said already I really feel that my "sound" is a fusion of Electro House, Progressive House, Trance & Dubstep. 

All of my music tends to have two main ingredients.

Passionate Breakdowns & Big Drops.

I Try to make sure that all of my breakdowns have lots of passion and build up well because without passion and feeling, a song just doesn't connect the listener to the track. I'm a big believer in making sure you can drift off into another place during some parts of a song, otherwise it all just becomes too robotic. This very much comes from trance and progressive house. 

Then I make sure my "Drops" hit hard and have lots of energy and aggression. Without the energy its not electronic dance music in my opinion, just electronic music. Afterall, if you're in a club and the song doesn't make you want to dance it's not doing its job! This most certainly comes from Electro house and dubstep. 

5. Who or what are some of the influences of your music?

My earliest influence is Chicane. If I had to pick only one producers music to listen to for the rest of my life it would be his.

More recently I'd say Skrillex, deadmau5 & Nicky Romero but in reality I'd be lying if i said I didn't draw inspiration from every single song I hear.

6. Who would you like to collaborate with in future projects, can be other producers or vocalists?

Well, I'm actually working on collaborations with several people at the moment. I wont name them all because I would literally be here for days but I will say that a few are fellow "Kick it Recordings" artists, 2 vocalists & a producer I've already worked with in the past. 

If I was in dreamland and I could pick any producer in the world to collaborate with it would most certainly be either Skrillex or Chicane.

7. Where do you see yourself in the future, say about 5-10 years’ time?

Well, this one's a tough one because music changes so much in such a short period of time. In 5 years’ time my music may no longer be relevant lol. I'd love it if in 5 years’ time I'd established myself as a "big" artist, but I'm also due to start working as a music production tutor at a local DJ academy soon, so that's another thing I'm really looking forward to. 

As long as in 5 years’ time I'm either still writing my own music or helping others to do so I'll be a happy man.

8. Which country, venue or festival would be your dream to play at? 

Very simple for me. Creamfields UK is a festival I've fallen in love with over the last 3 years since my first time there. So without a doubt that is top of my list. Closely followed by playing in any of the big clubs in Ibiza.

9. What projects are you currently working on and what can we expect from you in 2013 (tours etc)? 

Well, I've got a lot of new music that is finished and pending release. All of which is signed to Kick it recordings. 

I'm currently working on another couple of remixes for the label and i'm finishing off a few collaborations. 

My next solo Original track is a vocal Progressive House/Electro House track called 'Animal' which has two remixes, one from Jordan Clayton & one from Deadslim.

My next remix is one I did for Audio:Hertz & Katy Lewis. These guys are seriously talented and I was honoured to have been asked to do the remix. The whole release is amazing, that drops on 30th of July. Defo one to go out and buy. It has Summer written all over it!

In terms of playing live that's STILL something in planning. I've been so busy with writing music that I really haven't had the time to get out and play any of it myself. I'm hoping that in the next 12 months I'll be playing live, but it'll only be in the UK to start with.

10. What have been some of your successes so far?

First Ever Official label release broke into Phunk Junk Records (the label that signed it) top ten best sellers chart on beatport within 24 hours of going on sale.

This track peaked at no.3 and is still sitting comfortably in the top ten. Thanks to the sucsess of this release LW recordings have used the track as part of a compilation album entitled "Warehouse Electro Anthems (Volume 6)". Due for release on July 23rd.

First Official remix also broke into Phunk Junk Records top ten best sellers chart on beatport within 48 hours. Second original mix release also went into their top ten within a week. All three are still in the top ten.

11. Any other up and coming producers to keep an eye one?

I'm going to stay away from naming "Big" producers and stick with the ones that I think should have a lot more recognition than they're currently getting. so, here are 3 to track for the next 12 months:

Audio:Hertz are  definitely  one to watch. They've been making banger after banger over the last few months and are set to go on a mini tour over the next few months. Including shows in the UK, Europe & South America. Their next EP drops on 30th July and its a beauty! I've included one of the tracks in my mix.

ItsNotAdam is a producer I'm fairly close with which most will find strange considering he's in Miami and I'm in the UK. Without doubt one of the most talented musicians I've ever worked with and he's finally getting some big recognition. He's playing his first set next month in Miami on the same line up as heavy weights Noizia & Dillon Francis.

Kwerk is the last one on this list. Not many electro house fans will know of him because he produces Breakbeak/Breaks. Each of his last few tracks have found their way into the top 100 on beatport in his genre, something usually associated with worldwide superstars.

Promo Mix: http://www.mixcloud.com/Electro_Update/saam-roberts-mix-for-electro-update

Saam Roberts is a fantastic upcoming Producer/Remixer. Make sure you check out his music.

Catch up on Saam's latest updates on all social networks:

www.saamroberts.com

www.kickitrecordings.com

www.facebook.com/saamroberts

www.twitter.com/saamroberts