'Making People Dance' with Rossko

Photo: Rossko

In a clubbing environment as competitive as London's, it takes remarkable skill and determination to get yourself noticed in an environment that is brimming with creative geniuses and DJ wizards. However, that's exactly what fast rising house and techno star Rossko has achieved.

Following a run of highly sought after clandestine raves called Cerca Trova, Rossko took charge of his own career, and was soon headhunted by none other than Enzo Siragusa for his iconic Fuse empire. Sets for Cocoon, Carl Cox's Revolution and Fabric soon followed, as word of his abilities spread like wildfire amongst the house and techno community.

As one of the few DJs to make it purely on DJing merit alone, without assistance from any championed releases or Beatport top tens, Rossko is something of an anomoly in today's underground world. We nabbed five minutes with the Londoner ahead of his set at mUmU to find out more...

You'll be heading up to Liverpool for Mumu On Feb 7th. Have you played in Liverpool before? Looking forward to it?

Yes I've been looking forward to this one since I got the invite. It's my second time in Liverpool to play but my first for mUmU.

What can we look forward to your set there? Can you let us in on any gems that you might be dropping?

I'm playing a five hour back to back set with Lee Rands their resident DJ. I know Lee from London, he's been saying for years that we should play together so it's nice to finally do it. 

As it is an extended set from early to late I'll bringing a range of music from dub, house to techno all slightly on the deeper tip. I never know what I am going to play until I get to see the venue, check the sound and the vibe from the people.

Here's one I can't stop playing recently...

You're one of the unique individuals in dance music that has gained notoriety through purely DJing and not producing, something all too rare these days. Can you tell us about your journey from being a bedroom DJ to a key member of London's house and techno scene?

Everything has happened organically for me and as cliché as it sounds, I followed my passion. I dedicated my time, kept focused and sacrificed a lot - it's these experiences, some good, some bad that have taught me a lot about myself which defines the type of DJ I am today.  

Running a clandestine party in London called Cerca Trova (means "seek and you will find") with a good friend back in 2008 helped me gain identity in London and respected locally for playing good music and putting on good parties.

Fuse was a natural progression, after being asked to become a resident about five years ago this gave me a professional platform to play out internationally. The mentoring from Enzo and Tony has allowed me to turn what I do seriously into a career.

What is the key to making it solely as a DJ? These days it's easier than ever to be able to mix multiple tracks together through software and controllers and the like. Irregardless of what setup a DJ uses, what do you think it is that sets a real DJ apart from someone who just plays tunes?

To me the medium is irrelevant. I'm not as old school as some DJs but I see myself as lucky to have experienced both sides from when it was all about pirate radio and record shops to the introduction of the internet where everything became digital. I've embraced both and used them to my advantage, too many people waste their time debating and miss the most important thing - making people dance. 

For me a real DJ is someone who can deliver an experience, create a moment or give you a memory that stays with you forever. Whenever we hear something new we are changed, we are no longer the same - it runs deep for me.

The DJs who have a history take their time to tell their story, compared to the new generation of DJs and clubbers, that like our society, want everything in a instant - that's not their fault - that's just the way things are now. Finding the balance and passing down this knowledge is important to give to new DJs - I feel this was lost when the digital and internet era came around.

How about your involvement with Fuse (hear his contribution the Fuse podcast below)? Enzo Siragusa's brand is a vital part of clubbing in London and of course now in Ibiza. How have you enjoyed being a part of it all, and what do you think it that makes Fuse so highly regarded?

From the start it has always been focused around the resident DJs which separates us from most parties. Rather than me sit here and hype type the best way is to come to down to the party at Village Underground in London. It's an experience. There's a lot of attentions to detail that most people wouldn't even notice but helps create that vibe that makes all the difference. 

We heard that you've spent some studio time with Julian Perez on your first to be released productions. You two have done a number of back-to-back DJ sets, how did that relationship translate to the studio?

I've known Julian since 2011 just before (his record label) Fathers & Sons. We became good friends when he played for Cerca Trova and after playing a lot at Fuse together we decided to make an EP. 

I have a history from the house and garage days and Julian loves that no nonsense house and techno sound so when we sat down in his studio in Ibiza we already knew what direction we were heading in. It was easy to work with him just like it is to DJ together, some people you don't so much and some it just flows - for us it was the latter.

And how did you find the whole process and how have your years as a DJ helped you with moving into the realms of production?

Its given me solid ideas and an ear for what works on the dance floor. On the other hand recently I have been working with a great engineer with over 20 years of studio experience he has changed they way I listen and buy music now. It's certainly been positive moving into production. 

You had a particularly busy 2014, what were some personal highlights, and what are you looking forward to in 2015?

My summer residency at Fuse in Ibiza, playing the Terrace at Space, tINI And The Gang, Underground, Cave Rave and some amazing villa parties in Ibiza. My first gig in Moscow was pretty special also. 2015 looks to be more of the same really. I have some exciting gigs coming up which will be announced over the next few months. I have three projects that are set to be released this year also.

Final question, and its a hypothetical one. You've been asked to throw your ultimate rave. You can have the bill on any DJ in history, alive or dead. Where would you have it, and who would join you on the bill?

I am in awe of the M25 raves from back in the day. I was too young to go to them but a friend's older brother used to go and tell us the stories. There would be no facebook or event page. Keep it old school with a text and a meeting point in a farmer's field somewhere. 

The line up would be a collection of DJs that have inspired me from the start to the current day. This rave is going on for a minimum 24 hours of course!

LTJ Bukem
DJ Randall
DJ EZ (94-99 set)
Hermit
Slimzee
Ben Klock b2b Marcel Dettmann
Zip
Raresh
Jamie Jones
Enzo Siragusa b2b Seb Zito

Thanks Rossko! Catch him playing at mUmU's seventh birthday with Mathias Kaden and Daniel Stefanik onFebruary 7th. Get your mUmU tickets here.

Tickets are no longer available for this event