Whilst on his massive tour of Australasia, we sat down with deep tech’s latest phenomenon; Robbie Doherty to chat about his bucket list venues, cats vs dogs, and who he’d pick to play his own night at Fabric London.
Robbie has come a long way in recent times, with his music becoming some of the most in demand tracks on Beatport, receiving constant support from heavyweight artists, After breaking into the UK Top 50 with “Pour The Milk” in 2020, his sound has taken a new direction.
Evolving to a more minimal/deep tech sound, he’s already earning his stripes in the genre. Releases on labels such as Heavy House Society, neXup recz and Trick show how his sound has matured in recent years and we can’t wait to see what 2025 brings for him.
Hey Robbie, thanks so much for chatting with us! Let’s start from the beginning – how did your passion for music first come about? Were there any specific influences in your life that pointed you toward the music scene?
Even though I grew up in rural Northern Ireland, my parents were into electronic music and were fans of Carl Cox during the early stages of his career. When I moved to Bristol for Uni that pushed it even further as it’s such a thriving city for electronic music.
Fast forward to 2024 and you were the third highest selling artist in the minimal/deep-tech genre, only behind Sidney Charles and Josh Baker. How does it feel to be topping these charts, especially at such a key point in your career?
I get on well with both artists and I really rate them as producers. Sidney is someone who I’ve listened to since I first got into house music, so to be up there with him is awesome. It was a really humbling feeling for sure, I just go into the studio with an open mind experimenting, so to have had the music so well received and supported by DJs on the circuit is great.
Your release on Max Dean’s neXup Recz label last year especially took off, becoming the fourth highest-selling track in the minimal/deep-tech charts. Was there a specific inspiration behind that track? If so, how did that shape its direction in the studio?
There wasn’t really a specific inspiration as such, there’s some tracks that are naturally more club / dance floor focused. I always try to dig for obscure samples and this one naturally did its thing. With the b-side I try to offer something different, and the mind-bending approach seemed to work as my idol Carl Cox dropped it!
You’ve played at some incredible venues across the UK and internationally last year, from Trick’s boat party in Tenerife to PIV and neXup in Amsterdam, to Mint Warehouse in Leeds, The Loft in Manchester, and the legendary Fabric London. Are there any venues you’re still hoping to tick off your bucket list?
DC-10 is definitely up there, I had a great time at Solid Grooves last year when I popped down with my good friend Mike (who also happens to be Max Dean, Luke Dean & Obskür’s agent) – I was only meant to be popping in as Chris Stussy said he was supporting my music.. but we had a good few pints at the backstage bar haha!
Looking back to 2020, you released “Pour the Milk,” which hit 44th on the UK Official Singles Chart. Your sound has clearly evolved since then, what sparked the shift in your musical direction?
I think a lot of it comes down to maturity, I think a lot of artists naturally make music that’s a lot more commercial when they’re first starting out and finding their feet. My direction now just aims to be within the parts of electronic music where I can keep it credible but accessible.
You’ve received support from some of the biggest names in the industry, like Seth Troxler, Enzo Siragusa, Jamie Jones, and Chris Stussy. Was there one artist in particular where you were totally blown away to learn they had supported your music?
It was great to receive support from so many credible artists at the top level of the industry, but Carl Cox is right up there for me. Carl is a family favourite, and to see him play the b-side of my NEXUP release in Italy was a wicked surprise.. I still have no idea how he got it so I can only assume he was digging haha!
Stepping away from music for a second, do you prefer cats or dogs?
Dogs! But me and my partner Abi don’t own either at the moment! She works in the day and I travel a lot with touring now..so it wouldn’t be fair!
Back in August you also launched your own label, AVENU. You’ve already dropped some standout tracks like “Flawless” and “Bass Jumpin’ (Sweat).” Are there any artists you’d love to have on the label in the future?
There’s a few, but I really want to focus on championing up and coming talent! Names.. now that would be telling 😉
Picture this, Fabric asks you to curate your own takeover at the club. What artists are you putting on the line up and why?
Carl Cox extended set in Room 1.. and I might have to shamelessly put myself on warm up haha.
AVENU takeover in Room 2 (unannounced artists).
RUZE all night long in Room 3.. wicked artists & good friends of mine!
Finally, what’s your favourite track by another artist that you wish you’d made?
“Orbital – Chime”.. timeless classic. Fellow Northern Irishman as well..haha
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