Robot Orchestra Beating the Odds One Beat at a time...

First and foremost, who is Robot Orchestra and where do you reside?

I'm a 26 year old, self taught musician and producer from Cologne/Germany.

I love the creativity of your name. Was it difficult for you to settle on a name? Why Robot Orchestra?

The name is relatively new. I used to call myself Kid Karma for most of the time I've been making music.

About two years ago, I felt that I had outgrown the name and considered new ones. I finally settled on Robot Orchestra.

I stumbled upon the name by accident while reading a magazine article from the 1950's about robots playing music at a bar.

I found it to be a great metaphor for the way that most music is made nowadays, since electronic productions often replace "real" musicians.

I was listening to your recent release, Beat the Odds, and I was really impressed with your drum programming. How long have you been making beats and what beatmakers inspire you?

I've been making beats for almost ten years now and I started out of necessity. I was looking for beats for a few rap songs I wanted to record at that time. I couldn't get my hands on any good instrumentals, so I decided to start making beats myself.

Soon after that I stopped writing and focused entirely on my beats.

I steadily developed my skills over the years and always tried to push my boundaries, to learn new things.

I guess my biggest inspiration is the godfather of beats, J Dilla. He was always way ahead of his time and changed my whole perspective on (hip hop) music. Pete Rock and Dj Premier had a great impact on my productions as well.

Speaking of Beat the Odds, what is the concept of the instrumental project?

While working on a project prior to Beat The Odds (titled Late Night Sessions), I didn't use any samples because I thought it provided me with a bigger challenge. But soon after I finished the album, I felt like there was something crucial missing...

As a result I wanted the new album to be a straight forward sample-based instrumental album. I wanted to go back to the basics of hip hop music. That ruff and rugged sound that I fell in love with in the 90's.

To answer your question, my concept was pretty simple: 70's soul samples, thick drums and a heavy bass. No more, no less.


Beat tapes or instrumental tapes are beneficial because...

...it´s a great way to give the listener an overview of the producer´s various skills.

Plus, beat tapes really help to get in touch with other like-minded artists (such as rappers, other producers and Dj's)...

To me, a beat tape is more than just a collection of loose beats. A good beat tape stands for itself a is able to hold the listener's attention despite the lack of vocals.

The internet makes it easier for people to collaborate due to advancements in technology. The internet also makes it easier for people to promote their talents. Are there any emcees that you would like to work with in the future?

Reaching for the stars, I would say Blu, Fashawn and Elzhi...

But on a more realistic note, I would like to work with Shad (from Toronto), Kendrick Lamar and you, Praverb. Just to name a few.

But we'll see what the future holds...

After promoting Beat the Odds, Robot Orchestra will start working on...

...a few rap tracks for Kai Straw and Eff Tony that I will produce and mix. And hopefully I'll be working on other collaborations that will arise in the near future...Soon I will start working my first beat video. And of course, I already started working on the next instrumental album.


How can the masses get in contact with you?

Visit me on Bandcamp

SoundCloud

YouTube

or e-mail me directly at: robot-orchestra@web.de

Any final words?

Thanks for having me on Praverb.net. Big up to all the beat-fanatics out there, keeping this culture alive.

And last but not least, thanks to everybody who supports my music. I really appreciate it!