Redroche
REDROCHE (pronounced RED-ROCK) is comprised of production duo and brothers, Antoine and Gio. The story begins with Antoine, the DJ behind Redroche. Antoine showed interest in music at a fairly young age. His parents pushed him early on to study the violin but there was something that always attracted Antoine to pursue the drums. At the age of thirteen his parents agreed to let him purchase a five piece Pearl drum set and begin lessons. Within six months this youngster was turning the heads of many large bands in the area by entering in many “battle of the bands” and showing up to local jam hotspot to show off his talent. After high-school Antoine went to University leaving behind the dream of becoming a drummer in a band to focus on a degree in business. While at university he discovered a love for house music with the release of Daft Punk’s “Homework” and the ever popular “underground scene”.
“This really changed my life and opened my eyes to a whole new world. The more I listened to this album, the more I got into it and a new appreciation for music was growing inside. I started exploring house music and the underground scene at the time and I was instantly hooked for life”.
In 2000, Antoine graduated from university and returned to his home town. Once at home he had discovered that his brother Gio (other half of Redroche), had immersed himself into the same scene and fell in love with the same type of music and had progressed into the world of music production during the boom of the computer and all the new technology that was being put forth through various programs. Immersing themselves into production and the underground party scene in Canada, together they decided to create a company called “Eyezcream Entertainment” and become some serious promoters and bring talent to Canada from abroad. Turning the heads of major promoters in the Canadian underground club scene with some incredible shows and spending valuable time with many of these artists during these times instilled some great tips, advice and plans for the future.
“We were highly successful in bringing acts to Canada for the first time, and even undiscovered talent from Canada to our parts of the country that no one was bringing at the time like STEVE ANGELLO, AXWELL, DJ DLG, OLAV BASOSKI, HATIRAS, MC FLIPSIDE, ANTOINE CLAMARAN, DAVE ARMSTRONG and THE RURALS for example. This was way before all of their success and fame within the industry today, which is super crazy now that we think about it.”
Shortly after 911, the two brothers decided to make some serious changes and business ventures together. They pooled together and formed their very own label, what is now known as Eyezcream Recordings. At the same time, they decided to build a small soft studio in their basement and begin productions under the alias “Redroche”. The label exploded onto the scene with a string of releases from the discovery of fellow Canadian, superhero of funk, Dave Armstrong. WMC 2003, the label’s first appearance at the conference turned out to be something of a miracle.
“It was crazy to experience. We literally didn’t know what we were doing. We all piled into a car and drove to Miami to promote our first single. Twenty two hours of driving in the car, with only fifty vinyls we finally made it to South Beach. That’s all the promo material we had at the time, but we seriously worked it to everyone we seen. By the end of the trip we knew everyone there, and everyone was playing our track at parties everywhere, which at the time was “release the tension” and “Make your Move” by Dave Armstrong”.
That summer “Make Your Move” earned a gold record and pushed the label to new heights and had every major label finally looking at Eyezcream for licensing its new material. Eyezcream today is highly respected in the industry and has started out some serious careers and continues to do so to this day.
With this success came new opportunities. A new label was formed between Steve Angello, Dave Armstrong and Gio called “Truth Recordings”. The first release was called “Groove in You” and was highly success in 2004 with remixes by Laidback Luke and DJ DLG. With everyone touring, focusing on their own careers and building their young labels, Truth Recordings was set aside and remained a fun project between good friends.
In 2004, after countless hours in the studio the first production by Redroche is born. A terrific collaboration with DJ DLG called “On the Run”. It was an instant hit with crowds at the 2005 WMC conference and licensed too many compilations (such as Ministry of Sound Annual); and receiving some serious airtime by some of dance music’s biggest floorfillers.
“We couldn’t believe the reaction we received. Greatest feeling was looking out into the crowd at Nikki Beach during WMC05 at the first Robbie Rivera Juicy Party, with almost 5000 people at the complex and hearing everyone sing along to ON THE RUN while we were DJing on Stage. Having producers like Yves La Rock, Robbie Rivera, Antoine Clamaran, Laidback Luke and Cedric Gervais give you props after your set was something we will never forget”.
Returning from WMC05 events an inspired Redroche went straight into the studio to produce a sexy banger that was licensed by Germany’s heavyweight label – KONTOR. Collaborating again with DJ DLG and vocalist/songwriter YOTA proved to be very prolific. The single worked its way into many top German and European dance charts, major compilations and earned the awareness of many other labels and artists in those territories.
With Momentum high, Redroche called on Dave Armstrong to visit their studio to work on a sample they had stumbled over. After a few months of tossing ideas around in the studio the first version of “Love Has Gone” was finally created. An instrumental version was released Eyezcream Recordings as a test pressing vinyl and got the attention of Ministry of Sound and was placed on their Annual CD that year. Many other labels followed suit with licensing the single and they all expressed that the single was missing vocals and that we should consider finding someone to fill in the gap. The search for the right person began and lasted for almost two years. The two year wait would attest that “good things do come to those who wait”.
During this time, Redroche would hit the road to meet fans and perform all around North America, Australia and Europe. Between all the travels Redroche took the time to restructure everything to do with music. Expanding to a new office building for Eyezcream and building their professional studio space took precedence. Next task was to focus on improving production skills, running the label with new artists and placing major importance on their new sound that was about to be unleashed
2007 would be the catalyst for Redroche’s career as credible producers. The year began with the discovery of H-Boogie, who happens to be Estelle’s little sister. Estelle is the singer on the single American Boy that was produced by Kanye West. H-Boogie’s vocal skills and song writing abilities were beyond Redroche’s expectations and was hired for the single “Love Has Gone”. It turned out to be massive number 1 dance chart topper and top 40 release around the world and licensed to over fifteen countries around the globe. Ministry of Sound UK, then Hed Kandi licensed the single and created the video and with heavy promotions and marketing are what made this so successful within the dance industry. The video was spectacular with over a million views on YOUTUBE in over a couple of months, in addition to becoming a top ten on all MTV dance video shows around the world.
With the success of the ‘Love Is Gone’ came remix opportunities from other labels and artists that wanted Redroche productions. Completing some high profile remixes that began mid 2007 to end of 2008 for such artists as ROBYN, LORRAINE, CARL KENNEDY vs M.Y.N.C. PROJECT, YOAV, ALANIS MORISETTE, KUSH, ADDICTIVE FT. T2, GABRIEL & DRESDEN, ERIC MORILLO, OLAV BASOSKI, DENNIS THE MENACE & BIG WORLD, DON DIABLO and EDX to name but a few out of the twenty or more remixes in one year’s time, is truly an amazing feat for any new producer.
With these opportunities Redroche finally was getting the attention and massive support from superstar DJ’s, top radio jocks, floorfillers and producers from around the world. Some of the high profile names were Pete Tong, Tiesto, Eric Morillo, Paul Van Dyke, Armin Van Buuren, The D.O.N.S., Roger Sanchez, Laidback Luke and Carl Cox that consistently supported and still do today.
To say that Redroche was in-demand in 2008 would be an understatement. Finding the time between gigs and remix work for Redroche to put together some original work was quite a challenge. Nevertheless, one of Redroche’s favourite EP’s to date was released in the first half of the year and it was named “EP.1”. This EP featured two progressive tracks named ‘No More Sunrise” and “Open Your Eyes” which was big with artists like Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, Matt Darey, Paul Van Dyke. After “EP.1” Redroche had another single that was released on the popular Swedish label, JOIA records as a test pressing and it was called “Family”. Not receiving a proper release this release will come back to life and be resurrected in 2010.
After the summer of 2008 with gigs winding down and ADE around the corner, Redroche returned to the studio and created an instrumental track for Eyezcream Recordings called “Give U More” which ended up being championed by the likes of Axwell, Pete Tong, Eric Morillo, The D.O.N.S., EDX, Chris Lake and countless others before its first release on vinyl. Armed with positive feedback, the decision to scout the industry for a vocalist and a put together a massive remix package for 2009 was planned.
Late October 2008 Pete Tong would conduct what was called the ‘Tongfactor’ talent search, in conjunction with Beatport during his North American tour in order to expose new dance music talent. Antoine went to meet up with Pete Tong in Toronto to hand him a CD of some original material, fresh out of the studio. With no expectations of winning Redroche submitted a few tracks but would not believe what was to happen next!
January and February of 2009 we see three remixes come forth. The first is a remix for the single “Me, Myself & I” by DJ Tatana featuring Matthew Tasa which is a collaboration between Dave Armstrong and Redroche for Sirup Records. A couple of weeks later, Redroche’s remix for the single “Beat of my Heart” is released. The Original was created by the legendary Olav Basoski which features vocalist Errol Reid for Rootz Records. By February months end, one of the most anticipated records is about to be released on Erick Morillo’s Subliminal label. The single “Where are you now” created through the collaboration of DJ DLG and Erick Morillo is finally released and has been treated with an amazing electro banger by Redroche that has everyone talking and looking for this remix before WMC09.
“I’VE ALSO GOT THE CANADIAN REDROCHE GIVING IT A LITTLE PEDAL TO THE METAL, WITH AN ELECTRO HOUSE TWIST. YOU’RE GOING TO DEFINITELY HEAR THIS ONE IN MIAMI” - ERICK MORILLO (BEATPORTAL INTERVIEW 2009
In March 2009, the ‘Tongfactor’ project came to fruition with the first winners announced on Beatport. Redroche’s ‘Clear Blue Life’ was a stand-out winner of all the North American entries alongside Montreal’s Ned Shepard’s single ‘Twenty Below’. Being chosen by Pete Tong himself, recognized by Beatport and given the chance to be featured on the very first ‘Tongfactor EP1’ is an extraordinary accomplishment.
“This is a huge deal for Redroche. I really didn’t think at the time that Pete Tong would pick my track. There are so many talented producers that gave him CD’s during his North American tour. Even that night, I waited an hour or so just to give him the CD because there were so many people talking to him. I was definitely the last one to approach him which is why I’m shocked that I was chosen.”
“..REDROCHE’S TRACK ‘CLEAR BLUE LIFE’ IS A MAIN ROOM BUILDER REMINISCENT OF GLENN MORRISON OR DEADMAU5’S MORE GENTLE MOMENTS...BRILLIANT” – PETE TONG (BEATPORTAL DIARY 2009)
Redroche’s live performances earned him residencies in Cancun & Playa Del Carmen (Mexico) at the infamous club Nectar afterhours and Mamitas ultra beach club. Playing in high profile venues such as New York City’s M2 (Mansion) & Greenhouse Afterhours (SOHO), South Beach’s world famous Nikki Beach complex and Club1234 in Montreal are some of the many invaded by Redroche.
End of the summer approaches and the 2009 ADE conference is near. After months of scouting for vocalist for the ‘Give U More’ project, Redroche decides that Laura Kidd of the YoungPunx is the best fit for the record. Together with co-writer Hal Ritson they both go into the studio and breathe life into the “Give U More” instrumental. Clever lyrics, edgy attitude, a fresh vibe and incredible vocal abilities made this an instant anthem. Early UK support is intense with two different plays on Pete Tong’s “Essential Selection”; Scott Mills’ “Floor Fillers”, and Steve Smart’s “FNK Kiss FM”. Entering the Cool Cut Charts twice and remaining for a total of three weeks, another three weeks played on Roger Sanchez’s “Release Yourself show” and three other weeks on Matt Darey’s “Nocturnal Radio Show”.
Reactions followed with early support from some of house music’s biggest names. “The sound is big, I’m liking this!” Axwell: (Axtone/Positiva) “Very fresh record bro!!” Steve Angello: (Size/Swedish House Mafia) “Great tune, really feeling this one...” Chris Lake: (Rising Music/Mistakes UK) "In Brazil this weekend and Redroche's "give you more" went down a storm, both Russel and I, really loving it! James Wiltshire: (Freemasons Loaded/Skint)
Shortly after ADE, Eyezcream released a full package with remixes by Afrojack, Richard Dinsdale, Dave Armstrong, DJ DLG, and Jatanamo. The demand for licensing for this record was so great that Eyezcream decided to start production of their very first in-house video. Laura Kidd is flown down to Old Montreal Canada to meet up with Redroche and shot the video.
Directed by Aponia Films, the video has a wide appeal to the audience, with class and a little bit of edge. Not your average ‘green screen’ production, which was more of a challenge over the three day shooting of the video. The video begins with a phone conversation between Laura and Redroche who are setting up a rendezvous to meet each other. As she walks around the many beautiful parts of Old Montreal, which is reminiscent of France, she is in a ‘feel good” mood and spreads the love to everyone she comes across with her infectious voice. People on the streets begin to dance and act out as she walks past them and pointing her finger, which leads to many interesting shots. The story ends at dusk with Laura finding her way to Redroche who is on the roof top of one of Montreal nicest roof top patios, which has a breathtaking panoramic shot of the Montreal skyline. Scheduled to be released early 2010.
2009 ends off on a great note for Redroche for two reasons. Firstly, being given the duty to produce a remix of MSTRKRFT’s hit single “Bounce” which features the vocals of N.O.R.E. Redroche rips open two ultra funky mixes that gains support from Axwell and multiple plays on Steve Smart’s “FNK show” on the Kiss FM network and proving once again Redroche’s productions stand out from the rest. Secondly, a dream come true opportunity for Redroche to work with the legendary Giorgio Moroder. This came true when Redroche was asked to reinvent the disco classic “From Here to Eternity” which is scheduled for a 2010 release by Germany’s Caus-N-F-T imprint.
Entering a new decade, Redroche is ready to become globally recognized for his music, label and videos. If you are going to bet on anything in 2010, bet that you will see Redroche break into the global scene as an artist and a DJ. Coming strong with a storm of high profile remixes, DJ performances around the world and more original material that will lead towards Redroche’s first artist album means that 2010 is going to be an interesting year to say the least! Stay tuned
