Now & Next: Robot84

Now & Next is a quick-fire interview series built around two simple but telling questions. We ask artists to reflect on where they’re at in their career and creative journey, and where they’re headed next. For each answer, they pick two tracks: one that sums up where they’re at right now, and another that hints at where they’re going. The artists also drop a few lines about each track, giving us a peek into their creative mindset.

parallax background

Now & Next is a quick-fire interview series built around two simple but telling questions. We ask artists to reflect on where they’re at in their career and creative journey, and where they’re headed next. For each answer, they pick two tracks: one that sums up where they’re at right now, and another that hints at where they’re going. The artists also drop a few lines about each track, giving us a peek into their creative mindset.

Robot84 Q&A

Where Am I?

Right now, I’m buzzing from the response to two vinyl releases that have recently dropped around the same time. The fifth instalment of my Promo series has landed and sold out already in some shops, and I’ve made my debut on the Magic Wand label’s Special Editions series. Two projects I’m immensely proud of. I’ve got lots of plans for this year. I’m planning Promo vol 6, and there just might be something else a bit different happening in the not-too-distant future too. Things aren't always so straightforward behind the scenes in my personal life. I’m two years into recovery from a very serious stroke. I am doing well, but it has been very complicated; I had to learn to walk again, and I have been left with problems on the left side of my body. I walk with a limp, my arm isn’t what it was, and generally, I don’t have the same strength or capabilities that I did. The stroke has given me one of the biggest hurdles of my life to overcome, and I am still working on that every day. Crowded or noisy environments overwhelm my brain quickly, and I experience spatial neglect on my left side, meaning my vision is impaired, especially in low light or flashing settings. It’s frustrating, to say the least. This has had a considerable impact personally and professionally. I have been DJing for over 30 years, and it was second nature. The stroke left me with brain damage that makes tasks involving planning and coordination incredibly difficult. Sadly, the technical side of DJing and using a mixing deck now falls into that category. But it’s not a total loss, I see this as a temporary problem and a challenge to find new ways to do things. On the very bright side, this experience has also lit a fire in my creativity. It’s deepened my drive to keep going and to keep making music however I can. To have my music makes me very lucky because regardless of what’s going on with my health, it is something so good, and it’s part of me.

Where Am I Going?

Looking ahead, I have a lot of work to do - music and me. I’m still releasing music both digitally and on vinyl, and I count myself lucky every day to still be doing this. Through everything, I’ve stayed focused and driven, and I plan to keep that energy going. My biggest goal, which still feels like a dream at this point, is to DJ again. I know I have it in me somewhere, but I have to retrain those skills and overcome the fear. I will do it, hopefully this year, but if that doesn’t happen I’ll get there in my own time.

Track (Now):
Blind (Frankie Knuckles Remix)
Hercules & Love Affair

"Blind (Frankie Knuckles Remix) is a track that’s always inspired me. These days, I find myself leaning into its energy and emotion more than ever. It reminds me why I keep doing this, professionally, yes, but personally, too. Music helps me process, stay focused, and feel connected to who I am. There’s no fixed end point with recovery, but music continues to be the through-line, keeping me grounded as I move forward. On a professional level, Frankie Knuckles’ remix of ‘Blind’ captures that perfect blend of Italo and house for me, which is something I’ve always aimed for in my own work. If I ever come close to creating something that hits like that, I’ll be a very happy man!"

Track (Next):
Love Supreme
Alexander Robotnik

"Another go-to track for me is Love Supreme by Alexander Robotnik. Might seem an odd choice to indicate where I’m headed, as it was made in the '80s but it’s stood the test of time, in fact, it was decades ahead of its time; the energy, musicality, and production still blow my mind. It sums up everything I love about electronic music, and that level of excellence and aspiration is like a guiding light shining on where I want to keep heading."

Where Am I?

Right now, I’m buzzing from the response to two vinyl releases that have recently dropped around the same time. The fifth instalment of my Promo series has landed and sold out already in some shops, and I’ve made my debut on the Magic Wand label’s Special Editions series. Two projects I’m immensely proud of. I’ve got lots of plans for this year. I’m planning Promo vol 6, and there just might be something else a bit different happening in the not-too-distant future too. Things aren't always so straightforward behind the scenes in my personal life. I’m two years into recovery from a very serious stroke. I am doing well, but it has been very complicated; I had to learn to walk again, and I have been left with problems on the left side of my body. I walk with a limp, my arm isn’t what it was, and generally, I don’t have the same strength or capabilities that I did. The stroke has given me one of the biggest hurdles of my life to overcome, and I am still working on that every day. Crowded or noisy environments overwhelm my brain quickly, and I experience spatial neglect on my left side, meaning my vision is impaired, especially in low light or flashing settings. It’s frustrating, to say the least. This has had a considerable impact personally and professionally. I have been DJing for over 30 years, and it was second nature. The stroke left me with brain damage that makes tasks involving planning and coordination incredibly difficult. Sadly, the technical side of DJing and using a mixing deck now falls into that category. But it’s not a total loss, I see this as a temporary problem and a challenge to find new ways to do things. On the very bright side, this experience has also lit a fire in my creativity. It’s deepened my drive to keep going and to keep making music however I can. To have my music makes me very lucky because regardless of what’s going on with my health, it is something so good, and it’s part of me.

Track (Now):
Blind (Frankie Knuckles Remix)
Hercules & Love Affair

"Blind (Frankie Knuckles Remix) is a track that’s always inspired me. These days, I find myself leaning into its energy and emotion more than ever. It reminds me why I keep doing this, professionally, yes, but personally, too. Music helps me process, stay focused, and feel connected to who I am. There’s no fixed end point with recovery, but music continues to be the through-line, keeping me grounded as I move forward. On a professional level, Frankie Knuckles’ remix of ‘Blind’ captures that perfect blend of Italo and house for me, which is something I’ve always aimed for in my own work. If I ever come close to creating something that hits like that, I’ll be a very happy man!"

Where Am I Going?

Looking ahead, I have a lot of work to do - music and me. I’m still releasing music both digitally and on vinyl, and I count myself lucky every day to still be doing this. Through everything, I’ve stayed focused and driven, and I plan to keep that energy going. My biggest goal, which still feels like a dream at this point, is to DJ again. I know I have it in me somewhere, but I have to retrain those skills and overcome the fear. I will do it, hopefully this year, but if that doesn’t happen I’ll get there in my own time.

Track (Next):
Love Supreme
Alexander Robotnik

"Another go-to track for me is Love Supreme by Alexander Robotnik. Might seem an odd choice to indicate where I’m headed, as it was made in the '80s but it’s stood the test of time, in fact, it was decades ahead of its time; the energy, musicality, and production still blow my mind. It sums up everything I love about electronic music, and that level of excellence and aspiration is like a guiding light shining on where I want to keep heading."