Roland Kieff, known by his electrifying stage name DJ Roko, has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the world of EDM. Inspired by iconic figures like Calvin Harris, David Guetta, and Tiesto, the UK-born artist relocated to the dynamic city of Glasgow, Scotland, where he now infuses his music with a fresh and pulsating energy.
Recently, DJ Roko has shared his seminal new single ‘Heaven’, a vibrant release that exemplifies his unique sound. Infectious melodies, pulsating beats, and soaring drops coalesce in an exhilarating track. To celebrate the release of the single, DJ Roko sat down with us to talk about his latest release, songwriting style, and how EDM has evolved over the years.
It’s so great to catch up with you, thanks for taking the time. Let’s dig right into things, what inspired you to start your journey into music?
“DJing for over 20 years, for me was listening to all genres of music, but for me, the electronic dance music genre really excited me, the fact that technology has played a huge pivotal role in the development of dance music, the scenes of the 1970s disco scene, four on the floor, the 1980s DJS like Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley, Frankie knuckles pioneered the house music scene. The arrival of the analogue synthesizer was developed bringing out innovative music the likes of Kraftwerk energising the sounds and creating unusual effects, which then led to the age of electronic music. Developing even further from the 1990s, to now. Technology has given me the tools to progress in the age of EDM.”
What influences have helped define your music over the years?
“Early 1980s, Depeche Mode, Human League, 1990s Technotronic, Shamen, Bomb the Bass, Blackbox, To resent DJs Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Tiesto, and Fatboy Slim.”
How would you describe your sound?
“Happy, Uplifting, Feel Good, Loved Up, Melodic.”
Can you tell us a bit more about your new single?
“My new release was created by me looking for a feel-good vocal, which I came across through 100s of sample vocal work, once I found the Vocal, I then created the process.”
What was your songwriting process?
“The vocal was laid down, I edited the vocal to remove various background noise, I then created the Drum loop, starting with the Bass, then the hats, added Claps in, then adding a different Snare beat to the usual, which I wanted to sound different.”
“The bass was then laid down, adding in various effects to give it more feel. Adding in Piano, then creating the string effect to give it a heavenly feel.”
What’s the most important thing for you when you’re writing a song?
“I listen to my songs again and again making sure there is nothing that I feel that needs to be there, once I am happy and I love what I created, I then feel it's time for others to enjoy my work. The most important thing is that I like what I do, makes me feel good writing/producing songs that hopefully everyone can appreciate and feel good about themselves.”
What’s next for you as an artist?
“I have a new album which I am writing/producing at the moment, along with a track coming out soon which I have written and is different to what I have created currently, the track which will be out soon I have written especially for a charity which is close to my heart, and all funds which generate from this track called ‘Eternally’ will be given to the Charity Hear where I live In Glasgow, UK, called cash for kids.”
Do you have anything you would like to say to our audience?
Enjoy what you do, I have had lots of setbacks, but I continue to do what I love, I want my family to be proud of me, like I am proud of them, I hope everybody out there enjoys my music, my new release Heaven is a beautiful song and a feel-good tune to get you dancing, please support me on my journey, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify.
While DJ Roko remains immersed in the production of his much-awaited full-length EDM album, ‘Heaven’ serves as a tantalizing taste of what's to come. The upcoming album promises to be a sonic odyssey of upbeat, feel-good anthems – both instrumental and vocal – showcasing DJ Roko's infectious gift for creating unforgettable music.
DJ Roko's dedication to his craft and unwavering passion for creating music that he enjoys, which then transcends to his audience. As DJ Roko embarks on his musical journey. he remains devoted to pushing boundaries and exploring new sonic landscapes. His commitment to excellence. combined with his undeniable talent, make DJ Roko a name to watch in the ever-evolving world of EDM.
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