By Young Belfast-based DJ and producer Robbie Doherty is killing us with the title track from his new EP. With its jazzy percussion and salsa vibes, Moving Rhythms calls for dancing alfresco, fan in hand. It’s the kind of track that would have destroyed the old Space terrace, in Ibiza. The UK’s Max Chapman adds his weight, stripping out the vocal for a deeper alternative. But it’s Robbie’s original that gets our vote.
Elsewhere on the EP, Robbie’s deep house cut Small Lane is all rubbery bass and twinkling sonics. On I Do, the young DJ and producer opts for airy pads, ethereal adlibs, jazzy keys, guitar and well-crafted stabs. Give the EP a whirl here.
Robbie Doherty grew up on a diet of funk, disco and mid-90s house beats. His debut release, Pour The Milk, out on Relentless/Cr2 Records, has amassed over 37 million streams on Spotify alone. With his Moving Rhythms EP out now on Amsterdam label PIV, it’s time to get to know Robbie Doherty a little better…
My earliest musical memory is…
burning holes in my socks dancing to Public Domain in the living room with my uncle. I know it sounds cliché but music has always been very prominent in my life.
The dancefloor moment that changed my life was…
when I went to see Sasha play in Lush!, in Portrush. The lights went down and there was nothing but a flicker of letters on the LED screen behind the booth. For what felt like a lifetime, a real eerie pad was playing with some other melodic elements but no drums. The screen lit up with Sasha’s name on it and there was an almighty roar from the whole crowd. Sasha captivated me that night with a flawless progressive house set that kept me hostage in the middle of the dancefloor.
My first DJ gig was…
in my local nightclub, Lush! I was offered a warm-up set after they listened to a mix I sent in. That gig and the feeling of connecting with the crowd at the party left me hungry for more!
The best DJ on the planet is…
Carl Cox. Well, he’s my personal favourite. What a legend. But every artist has their own flair and every listener has their own taste.
The best producer on the planet is…
There are so many great producers out there. However, respect goes to the guys who paved the way for the house scene today. Tracks made by guys like Frankie Knuckles and Larry Heard are timeless.
The track I wish I’d made is…
Belfast by Orbital. Who wouldn’t want to be the creator of this masterpiece? Also, Belfast is my local city so it seems quite fitting.
The vocalist I’d most love to work with is…
Gregory Porter. I’m a bit jealous of Disclosure but those lads do deserve to work with such a legend.
The best piece of studio hardware ever invented is…
any sampler and the Korg M1 synth. I do love that classic M1 organ preset!
The best piece of studio software ever invented is…
I mostly use Ableton stock plug-ins, such as analogue. However, I am a fan of serum and use it a fair bit for my basslines.
I’d love a day in the studio with…
Disclosure. They are amazing producers and don’t seem to take themselves too seriously. It would be a great day’s craic in the studio with them.
The best advice I’ve ever received from another DJ or producer is…
enjoy what you do and make music for you. There’s no harm in using others’ musical styles as inspiration but if you’re trying too hard to sound like someone else, you’ll never be as big as them. I can’t remember who said it though.
The last full album I listened to was…
Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes’ What Kinda Music. Delicious.
A little-known fact about me is…
I always have an orange during or after a set. Oranges are actually on my rider. It started when I whipped out an orange to snack on during my first ever gig.
The only thing I’d rescue from my burning house is…
my laptop. There’s too much unreleased music on there to lose!
I can’t wait for…
all the clubs to open so I can see lots of lovely faces on the dancefloor again.
Also read: Masters At Work Turn Out Remix Package for Joseph Capriati
