Leroy Roberts: Maknite svoje telefone i otplešite u izlazak sunca!

UES: Your passion for music started when you at the age of 12. How did you feel then? Did you have support from grown-ups? Was it hard to find records?

Leroy Roberts: “To be fair if im being honest it started a long time before that…..My mother is a real music person so there was alot of reggae, soul, 80’s msic around the house growing up so i think she definetely moulded me into a music lover. As for DJing she always support me from the moment I told her i wanted decks for my birthday so she worked very very hard to get me them and always made sure she could support me in buying records from a really young age so I am eternally greatful to her for that!! Thanks Mum!

As for finding records it was fine as we had Blackmarket Records in London as a teenager and they were always very helpful in finding you the best beats.”

UES: It was quite a different vibe and scene when you started playing music, than it is now. What are the differences, and what we can we all do to make clubbing scene even better?

Leroy Roberts: “I mean i first started DJing in clubs around 13/14 years old at the time i was playing UK Garage and also Drum & Bass…….Those were really great party days in London even at that young age to be fair it was mainly a london thing though with that music and as i grew up and moulded my sound into what it is today i realised how much globally house music is followed and it was a big eye opener for me but i will say I do think UK Garage has play a part in some of the best house music around today. The scene has obviously suffered slightly due to alot of venue closures around the city and stricter laws but all in all i think it makes all of us involved in throwing parties more resiliant and stronger to make sure it lives on…..It’s all about supporting each other really and we must continue to do that to keep all our parties flourishing.”

UES: You played garage, electro, and then you had a pause for several years. Big come back, with house sound. What changed in that period and how did your carrier continue?

Leroy Roberts: “Yeah i mean I was unfortunate to have a break due to 90% of my record collection being stolen from me, I was really young and was still at school so it really hit me hard as alot of records you can’t replace so i just gave up really but then as i got into my early 20’s I was partying alot around london and was really itching to get behind the decks again so i started with a clean slate. I was playing electro mainly and i entered a DJ competiton for a party named “Ibiza Underground” in 2008 and i won that and from then i didnt look back. As for the evolving of my sound it was mainly going to a saturday night party in London run by Enzo Siragusa and Tony Cannatella named “Circuit” it was in shoreditch and had a great crowd of people in a lovely basement……As soon as i got i there the first time i was hooked to this new music i was hearing that i had never heard before and that was it for me really anywhere Enzo, Seb and alot of the other guys that played there was playing i would follow and try learn more about that music……….I have always tired to draw inspiration from my peers on the london scene as i think we have one of the stronger pool of DJs around and i would sooner pay to see local artists than the big DJs but thats just my preference.”

UES: You live in London. Can you tell us how London clubbing looks like now?

Leroy Roberts: “London clubbing is doing great although it is harder for us to put on parties everyone is still getting it done and putting on memorable parties there is always somewhere to go every week we have Fuse, Cerca Trova, Toi Toi, Half Baked, Wetyourself, Keep On Going an also we have our party B.A.R.E”

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UES: What are your favorite clubs? And what is your favorite party project?

Leroy Roberts: “Favourite club hands down will always be fabric as for partys as i said in the previous question it has to be all of these as they are all positive people keeping things alive in London”

UES: What inspires you to create?

Leroy Roberts: “Positivity really i feed off of that stuff and also hearing my friends sets live in London……For me there are no better DJs than them guys and girls…….I leave the venue feeling happy after seeing one of them smashed the dancefloor to pieces!!!”

UES: What are the real values we should all worship more?

Leroy Roberts: “Togetherness…….If we want things to stay alive and continue the politics and judgement need to be cut out really and everyone just needs to support each other…….theres enough hate in the world to be doing it to each other on the scene man”

[quote_center]If we want things to stay alive and continue the politics and judgement need to be cut out really and everyone just needs to support each other[/quote_center]

UES: You had workshops for kids who wanted to learn to play music and get in clubbing scene. What is your advice/message to all the young djs and producers who are starting their way in clubbing?

Leroy Roberts: “Spend alot of time researching music but Just do it with love and dont listen to any judgement around you…..Everyone is always gonna be bringing something different to the table so play the music you love and do it with the biggest smile on your face.”

UES: We noticed beautiful energy through promotion of your B.A.R.E project? What is B.A.R.E project all about?

Leroy Roberts: “I think its best described best in 2 of our slogans which are…. “It’s more than just a party.. It’s a lifestyle. Where like minded individuals create the things we collectively wish existed, inspiring growth & positivity” And “Let yourself be silenty drawn in by the strange pull of whatever it is you truly love”

We are just a collective of people that are trying to bring everyone together through love and music among other things…….It makes us happy to see people happy and thats what we try and create with the partys we put on.”

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UES: Is this your first time in Croatia? Do you expect something from Split as a town and Split as a clubbing spot?

Leroy Roberts: “YES!!!! My first time here and I have only heard great things so im looking forward to bringing a little of my london sound here and partying also with you guys all night.

UES: Will you maybe visit any of the festivals in Croatia this summer?

Leroy Roberts: “Yes i think i will be back for Sonus hopefully :)”

UES: What is your message to Clubbers all around?

Leroy Roberts: “Put your phones away and dance the into the sunrise <3 x”

– Interview by Jelena Cikatić –