APPAREL INTERVIEW:

Tigerbalm
Producer, South London [Uk]

 

A few months after the release of her debut album 'International Love Affair', the South London-based DJ and producer Rose Robinson -aka Tigerbalm- launches 'International Love Affair Remixes', a remix album where numerous artists try their hand at producing some sensational new versions of the original tracks. The record -released both digitally and on vinyl- adds value to this project which is enriched with a new gem, and we took the opportunity to have a chat with Tigerbalm, not just about her latest issue. Between work, life, passions and curious details, the meeting was very stimulating and we hope that reading this interview will intrigue our readers, prompting them to explore the magical world of this talented artist.

 
 
 
 



APPAREL INTERVIEW:

Tigerbalm
Producer, South London [Uk]

 

A few months after the release of her debut album 'International Love Affair', the South London-based DJ and producer Rose Robinson -aka Tigerbalm- launches 'International Love Affair Remixes', a remix album where numerous artists try their hand at producing some sensational new versions of the original tracks. The record -released both digitally and on vinyl- adds value to this project which is enriched with a new gem, and we took the opportunity to have a chat with Tigerbalm, not just about her latest issue. Between work, life, passions and curious details, the meeting was very stimulating and we hope that reading this interview will intrigue our readers, prompting them to explore the magical world of this talented artist.

 
 
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Tigerbalm Q&A

 

-Hi Rose! First of all our usual, but non the less important, ice-breaker question: how you doing?

- I’m fab and a little exhausted after 24hours in Leeds for the Crazy P Curates Tour with 20/20 Vision; it was so fun to play with Ralph Lawson, Hardway Bros and Crazy P! It was my first time in Leeds!

 

-How do you usually relate with the imminent release of your music? Are you excited, maybe a bit nervous, or just simply cool about it?

- I get really excited surrounding my releases because It’s such a joy for everyone to be able to play the music. I love hearing feedback on which tracks different people gravitate towards. I don’t really get nervous as I’ve been playing these tunes for months before they come out and watching the reactions in clubs.

 

-Can you talk us through the choice of producing a remix album of your -and very much appreciated by us- ‘International Love Affair’? Was it part of the plan even before the release of the original record? We’re also quite curious to know how you picked the remixers…

- It was really important to me that the remixes LP offered a spectrum if tempos, moods and genres. Ubiquity were really supportive with the development of this record; introducing Chico Mann & Isaac Soto. Joy Tyson the Berlin-based vocalist featured on Kete & Tokyo Business introduced me to Tulshi & Inca Jones. The rest were chosen and sourced by me with some introductions and help from friends such as Bill Brewster, Paul Murphy & Simon Purnell from Leng Records. We always wanted to do a remixes LP when we mapped out the album release.

 

 

 
 

-Let’s rewind the tape for a moment. Tell us when you first got into music. What was (if there’s one) the event that made you understand you wanted to do this in your life.

- Since I was born I have always loved music, dance & performing. My parents love music so I grew up surrounded by it. I would be doing all these performances for my parents with my friends with dance moves haha. Any stage, I was on it. I only started to DJ and make music in my mid 20’s but have always been eccentric creating, designing styling… I did a lot of art too at school. I love creating positive spaces; that can be through design, music and any other medium…

 

 
 

-Now a personal curiosity, which I think that’ll interest our readers. I lived in London for many years and I’ve been stunned by the charm of this special place. Since I was a kid I’ve been attracted by London and its ‘vibe’, culture and inspiring diversity so -as you’re a born and bred Londoner- can you tell us how your hometown influenced your musical education and, more broadly, your personality?

- I’ve grew up in Brixton/ Herne Hill area before moving to Kent. I returned to London for my studies and moved between Victoria, South Kensington, Notting Hill, Covent Garden, Limehouse, De Beauvoir and now have my own flat in Victoria Park in Hackney. I’ll never leave East London now- I’m obsessed. Each area of this city has its own charm and community. I especially love the green spaces and markets; when I return from trips abroad I’m often in awe and appreciation of the parks scattered all over London. I have a cockapoo called Forest so he keeps me very connected to nature. I’m very focused on wellness and self care. I go regularly to ecstatic dance, five rhythms, moving connections, Sauna (Hackney Bath’s) and Gong (Sunita Movement). These types of practices allow me to keep connected with a high vibration to feed my music and mood. I’m really focused on health and positive energy. London offers so much support for this with a thriving community. In terms of music, I honestly have been most inspired by my trips to Brazil and Mexico but London has so many incredible music lovers & record stores (Love Vinyl & Phonica). I remember the craziest nights in Hackney Wick when you could go to amazing underground raves at peoples warehouses that lasted for days. My friend David Beiger introduced me to a party called ‘Colors‘ which really influenced me musically, this was the first time I heard world dance music mixed with Disco and Cosmic Dance music. Prajnaghosa from Colors now runs Social Joy Records. I also used to host 80 person listening parties with Izaak Gray from Earthboogie at our warehouse with the Earthboogie Quad Soundsystem (now owned by East London Audio). I follow audiophile dance venues/nights like Giant Steps, Brilliant Corners, Lucky Cloud Sound Systems & 17 Little Portland Street where i can listen to high fidelity sound.

 
 
 
 
 
 

-Knowing first hand how much time you need to ‘invest’ in order to acquire musical knowledge, I’d like to understand better how much of your daily time you devote to listening to new music, digging etc. And if there is a specific moment of the day that you dedicate to dig, research and practice for the DJ side of your profession.

- What I find works for me is to create a ‘music day’ once a week where I just swirl and go into a cave of music. I save all the labels and remixes from my favorite tunes and then research them. The list is so long it’s insane. The nature of my research is also driven but the parties I’m booked for. I have a few monthly residences where I get to play all my new music; it’s great as I can familiarize myself with all my new music. I prep my sets for big club gigs at these gigs. I also sync all my new music onto my iPhone so i can listen when traveling on the go, while driving etc.

 

 

-It's not always easy for a musician (even less for a DJ) to find a routine that allows to devote oneself completely to the profession/passion. Do you manage to have a -somehow- comforting routine?

- I’ve been a full time DJ for 10 years so have fully immersed myself in the profession. I have a routine each day. I don’t look at my phone or e-mail until midday. I walk my dog first thing then meditate for 10 minutes before Kundalini yoga or stretching. This peaceful entry to the day allows me to calm my nervous system and have some peace before I bombard myself with music haha.

 
 
 

-Let us in your house/studio for a moment. Could you describe what’s on your desk on a normal day and what there always needs to be? (a cup of coffee, a magazine, a snack, a book, a synthesiser…).

- I have my microphone set-up with my Yamaha studio speakers on my desk. It’s very clean with lots of plants on the desk and a nice 32 inch screen : ) I love to drink Matcha at my desk. My music studio is in Hackney Wick. I need to have a separate place to create. I also have vintage Tannoy's at my flat which I used for listening to my new music while in development.

 
 
 
 

-Now let’s go back to 'International Love Affair Remixes’. Have you got any particular expectation of this album? How would you like it to be perceived by the audience?

- I just hope for my music to bring some inspiration and pleasure to people. I try to just do things that make me feel good without expectations : P

 

 

 

 

-Is there a peculiar, unusual, unique anecdote related to this album that you’d like to share with us?

- The Remixes LP was just an organic progression from the album because I really wanted to have remixes of each track.

 

 

Thanks for your answers. We wish you the very best for your present and a bright future full of good music and good vibes!

 
 

-Knowing first hand how much time you need to ‘invest’ in order to acquire musical knowledge, I’d like to understand better how much of your daily time you devote to listening to new music, digging etc. And if there is a specific moment of the day that you dedicate to dig, research and practice for the DJ side of your profession.

- What I find works for me is to create a ‘music day’ once a week where I just swirl and go into a cave of music. I save all the labels and remixes from my favorite tunes and then research them. The list is so long it’s insane. The nature of my research is also driven but the parties I’m booked for. I have a few monthly residences where I get to play all my new music; it’s great as I can familiarize myself with all my new music. I prep my sets for big club gigs at these gigs. I also sync all my new music onto my iPhone so i can listen when traveling on the go, while driving etc.

 

 

-It's not always easy for a musician (even less for a DJ) to find a routine that allows to devote oneself completely to the profession/passion. Do you manage to have a -somehow- comforting routine?

- I’ve been a full time DJ for 10 years so have fully immersed myself in the profession. I have a routine each day. I don’t look at my phone or e-mail until midday. I walk my dog first thing then meditate for 10 minutes before Kundalini yoga or stretching. This peaceful entry to the day allows me to calm my nervous system and have some peace before I bombard myself with music haha.

 
 
 

-Let us in your house/studio for a moment. Could you describe what’s on your desk on a normal day and what there always needs to be? (a cup of coffee, a magazine, a snack, a book, a synthesiser…).

- I have my microphone set-up with my Yamaha studio speakers on my desk. It’s very clean with lots of plants on the desk and a nice 32 inch screen : ) I love to drink Matcha at my desk. My music studio is in Hackney Wick. I need to have a separate place to create. I also have vintage Tannoy's at my flat which I used for listening to my new music while in development.

 
 
 
 

-Now let’s go back to 'International Love Affair Remixes’. Have you got any particular expectation of this album? How would you like it to be perceived by the audience?

- I just hope for my music to bring some inspiration and pleasure to people. I try to just do things that make me feel good without expectations : P

 

 

 

 

-Is there a peculiar, unusual, unique anecdote related to this album that you’d like to share with us?

- The Remixes LP was just an organic progression from the album because I really wanted to have remixes of each track.

 

 

Thanks for your answers. We wish you the very best for your present and a bright future full of good music and good vibes!

 
kisk

Giuseppe D'Alessandro

Illustrator / Editor

schilling

Ludovico Schilling

Author