You’ve become, according to most in the media, the ‘Golden boy of Londons UK funky scene’. How does it feel to have such a title? Do you feel any kind of responsibility to the audience and to yourself because of this title?
I don’t feel any responsibility as music to me is for enjoyment first of all. So to be at the forefront is all good really as it shows my sound stands out from the rest.
Who influenced you as a young man musically? Who are still in the favorites, who are you listening to now?
I still listen to a lot of Garage and even more dubstep now too. I was always listening to dubstep even before it was called such a thing.
What difficulties have you faced as a budding musician and producer?
Making time for family.
It seems that DJing and producing in the bass music scene are mainly male dominated occupations. Girls are few and far between. Why do you think that is?
When I play out I seem to see a lot of females. More dubstep orientated sounds are dominated by men.
Are you able to describe your own sound and style?
It’s a cross between Garage, Grime, Dubstep an House music.
Tell me about your label, Kick&Snares. When and why did you decide to create it?
It’s anything and everything. At the moment it’s going through a transition of being a label for producers around me rather than one solely for Roska.
It’s a fact that the global music industry is centered around the US and Great Britain. Do you think this puts musicians from other countries at a disadvantage?
Yes and no. I say yes as everyone looks to the UK for new sounds and influences but no as everyone outside the UK can place their spin on a sound and start their own scenes if they wanted to.
Has the reality of the music business lead you to become disillusioned in any way? Or is it everything you hoped it would be?
I don’t care about music business I know what I know and all I do is make music and get it out the listeners and fans.
You’ve played in many countries all over the world! Was there a big difference between the musical atmosphere and feedback of the public in your gigs in different countries, cities? Tell us something about your experience and impressions.
I am the first to play my sound in most countries so I have to educate and get the crowd involved mostly. I have a handful of fans in most countries now so its a matter of working on it more and keep pushing the music.
How do you relax? Any hobbies? Perhaps a hobby-projects not related to music?
I don’t relax. I will take a holiday sometime this year.
How often do you visit gigs as a listener, not as the performer? What kind of gigs do you like to visit?
Most gigs I go to I go early and watch the other acts. I go around once a month if I have time.
When working on new tracks, how you determine that they are ready? Do you have any specific criteria in evaluating your own tracks?
Everything stays at demo stage. I test them out or on radio and then I work out what needs to be done from that.
If we talk about spreading the music, how do you feel about the phenomenon of ‘pay what you want’, which is now gaining popularity? When the musicians spread their releases for free download or the ability to make a donation.
I will do it now and then but its fair to say being a musician is a job as well as to entertain…
Would you define yourself as mainstream artist or underground artist? And is there any importance in such characteristics for you?
I’m nowhere near mainstream at this moment in time. Underground is where I live for now.
With the development of Internet and wide availability of various social networks, everyone can now feel closer to their idol. In some sense, you can watch every step and action of your favorite musicians. What do you think, what are the pros and cons in this for the artist?
Pros are everyone can find out what is next within seconds. The cons are as a musician sometimes you are too close to the negativity and sometimes draw the wrong attention.
You have experience in performing not only in clubs but also at big festivals. How do you feel, is this type of music good for large festivals, for big stages… or is it more club format? How do you feel?
Festivals are much better as they are built on music lovers and also people who are open to new sounds. Clubs are more intimate and for lovers of specific sounds or artists.
How do you see yourself in the future? Which prospects of your own development are the most interesting for you?
I see myself doing the same thing for a long time.
What should we expect from Roska in 2011?
April 2011 – Abrupt/Error Code out on Hotflush and Mid 2011 – Rinse Pres Roska 2 out on Rinse
And, maybe as an epilogue, what would you advise to budding musicians?
Work hard and hard work pays off.
