Rose Robinson is Tigerbalm and she is just coming off a run of singles and an LP on Ubiquity Records. Based in the UK the Dj & producer brings her vibrant global sound to the Razor-N-Tape with the ‘Nina EP’ out this week. We sit down here with this intriguing individual for a little talk.
WWD: Where are you at this moment and how are you spending today?
It’s a heatwave in London. I started my morning with Kundalini yoga and a walk with my dog in Victoria Park. I am now preparing my DJ Set for Wild Wood Disco Festival where I’m playing on Sat 17th June!
WWD: You grew up in London. Tell us where and paint us a picture of your environment back then.
My family grew up in Brixton/Herne Hill. I went to school in Dulwich. We then moved to Kent at the age of 8 years, so I really grew up in nature surrounded by woods!
WWD: When & how did you get into Djing?
I got myself CDJ’s and a mixer at Uni. I started to have little house parties and then eventually started to play out.
WWD: How old were you when you started to collect records?
I really started collecting in my late 20’s. I hijacked my parents’ collection which was dormant in a wooden cabinet and now they get played and have a new lease of life.
WWD: What clubs & parties were you going to in your early party days?
I used to go to Berlin tons (Feel Festival, Berghain, Melt Festival, Fusion Festival). London I always Loved Fabric, World Unknown, Colors, and underground warehouse parties in Hackney Wick (that’s all changed now).
WWD: What DJs and artists were you listening to back then?
Ilija Rudman, 40 Thieves, Maurice Fulton, Fela Kuti, The Knife, Little Dragon, Psychemagik, Bicep, Jex Opolis.
WWD: When did you first get into production? Would you say you have come a long way in your studio skill since then?
I started to dabble at around 26…I was making NuDisco beats, Cosmic Disco. I really developed through my work with Izaak Gray from Earthboogie. I then started working with Giorgio Cadamuro from Wicked Dub Plates in Fish Tank Studio Hackney Wick. I’m also having keys lessons and have a voice coach at the moment. I’ll be singing on a few of the tracks on my next album.
WWD: You were part of the Earthboogie duo. Does your sound today bare resemblance to the EB sound?
Earthboogie was really a fusion of my style and Izaak’s style. The world music influences on the Earthboogie tracks were me, and Izaak was Disco/Techno/Italo vibes. I think Earthboogie is a bit more cosmic than Tigerbalm. My new style is more earthy with 80’s influences.
WWD: Why did you decide to move on from Earthboogie and what did you take from your time as part of this duo?
Izaak and I were partners/ engaged but things didn’t work out. I loved our journey and will cherish all our achievements. Overground is my favorite Earthboogie song.
WWD: What was your first release you put out under your Tigerbalm moniker?
Ello Koko on Leng Records. I made this track in Indonesia…I remember I was in this gorgeous eco lodge in the sun…
WWD: If you had to choose some words to describe the Tigerbalm sound, how would you define it?
Energizing, Playful, Tribal, Worldly, Cosmic, Organic.
WWD: You have been releasing music on some very cool labels like Leng, and Ubiquity. Next up on RNT. How did you hook up with Razor-N-Tape and have you been a fan of the label over the years?
Jason from Razor N Tape is a close friend, we met in NYC in 2018 (I think). Obviously, I am the biggest JKriv fan; we have such similar taste in music – he’s a ridiculously talented producer! I shared the Nina track with Jason, and they loved it so here we are!
WWD: Talk us through your Nina EP a little?
The Nina EP is two tracks. The first track is called Nina and it features Farafi who I was introduced to by a girl in Bali…I was on a spiritual cooking course and this girl said I want you and Farafi to play at my wedding haha…so I listened to Farafi and of course loved the vibe and reached out to them. Farafi is an Afro Jazz Duo from Berlin consisting of Joy Tyson and Darlini Singh. This is how i met Joy who features on my album track Kete and Tokyo Business (she’s also on the tune I made for the next Crazy P Curates Comp)
The second track is called Sisters and features Les Amazones D’Afrique on the vocals. Again, sampled and reworked into this Balearic groove. I love Sisters…I made both tracks during lockdown!
WWD: Tell us a little about the remixes.
Ah yes, we have the king of Tel Aviv Elado & Voilaaa. Two of my favorite producers. Elados’ remix is a pumping dance floor rework that I’ve been playing it for 6 months all over the world. Voilaaa’s remix is a lovely tropical rework. Gosh I couldn’t be happier with how this release turned out!
WWD: Quirky female vocals and tropical vibes seem to be a hallmark of a Tigerbalm record. You have a lot of female vocals in your music. Is that a conscious choice that they are mostly female?
Lots of female energy indeed! My new album has Andre from Afriqoui and Idd Aziz so you will see some male energy coming through, but I do love working with women; the music is a bit sexier if you ask me 😊
I want to have more women remixing my releases in the future!
WWD: What are your thoughts on the music industry’s attitude towards women today? Have you faced any challenges thus far? Do you feel that change is here?
It’s a very male dominated industry at the moment but more women are breaking through; I want focus on empowering women as much as possible on this journey. I’ve met so many incredible people in the industry, so I try and sieve out the bad stuff.
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