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 The high energy levels that pulse through the productions and DJ mixes of Activa should be something you will have experienced over the past few years. i:Vibes went to see what he's up to this summer.
In a relatively short time since his first release on Somatic Sense, Rob Stevenson, better known as Activa, has been one of the most hard working producers in the Trance genre. He has created many new alias’ such as Solar Movement, Mekk, Substate, Force One, Aira Force, CMR and Eluna to showcase the range of his production skills, while continuously developing the sound of his main Activa alias.
Rob has appeared on the likes of Spinnin (Liquid), Discover, High Contrast, Black Hole, Enhanced, Somatic Sense and finally Paul van Dyk’s mighty Vandit Records which has enabled him to push his way into the record boxes of the biggest names in the industry and receive their continuous support.
As an engineer Rob has worked closely with Jon O’Bir to create Jon’s first artist album, From Within and has engineered and produced, singles and remixes for Jon, Aled Mann (Discover), Owen Clark (Club Elite), Freesoup (Five AM), Chris & Matt Kidd (Joyride) and David Newsum (Discover), clearly showing the range and diversity of Rob’s production skills.
Although he is primarily known as a producer, Rob has been DJing since his first experience with a pair of turntables while at school. He has gone on to play at the biggest nights in the UK including Gatecrasher and Passion and regularly travels the UK and often abroad to perform. He is a bi-monthly resident at easily the best and fastest growing night in the UK, Digital Society, where his late sets have become a popular part of the night showcasing the harder side of his style.
If that wasn’t enough, Rob also owns and runs Conspiracy Recordings along with Jon O’Bir and Kev Ribbens. The label, which has grown rapidly in the first few years, has had massive support from the biggest names in the industry including regular appearances on Armin’s ASOT, Above & Beyond’s TATW, VONYC Sessions, Sound garden as well as Radio 1 and various other FM radio support. The label has developed a reputation of showcasing brand new music from new artists, has helped kick start the careers of Tom Colontonio, Anguilla Project and Peter Martijn Wijnea, as well as releasing tracks from more well known artists like Ian Betts, Dan Stone and Peter Dafnous.
"Rob's productions as Activa and Mekk are just incredible. Certainly in a league of their own, they stand out a mile from a sea of tunes that all sound the same. Is it a surprise labels like Discover, Spinnin and Vandit are gagging to sign as much of his stuff as possible? No, it’s no surprise at all.” – John Askew.
i:Vibes: Hi Rob, thanks for taking some time to talk to www.ivibes.nu. You have been releasing high quality tracks for some time now and it seems your status as a trance producer is growing daily. How hectic is life now for you as an artist?
Rob: Its great, I’m really enjoying it. I have had my share of pretty bad jobs in the past and have been made redundant 3 times before the age of 21 so its nice to have the control over your own job but also the control over the direction of a company. I know that this will probably not last forever but I am sure that I wont be able to go back to employment with another company unless I really know and enjoy the company and the work they do or its within something I enjoy already.
i:Vibes: You are from York, in the UK. What was your childhood like?
Rob: Pretty typical really. York is nice city, pretty much tourist orientated due to all the Roman ruins still around throughout the city centre. I started off liking music when I was really young and slowly grew towards electronic music and eventually trance. I was pretty much obsessed with music by about 11 or 12 and although I had other hobbies, looking back I knew I wanted to something within music
i:Vibes: What was the deciding moment where you knew that you wanted to be involved with trance music?
Rob: I’m not sure there was a particular ‘deciding’ moment, however going to Gatecrasher at The republic in Sheffield and seeing some of the best sets and hearing some of the best music of my life cemented my love of Trance music. I think everything leading up to the start of clubbing really helped in its own way.
i:Vibes: What was your first trance record that you bought and did it inspire you in any way?
Rob: The first record I bought (I think) was the Deeper Shades of Hooj EP which had a track called V-One – Dead Cities which has probably been one of my favourite tracks for some years. At that point I still didn’t understand production fully and was still trying to teach myself about Cakewalk Home Studio so the music I was making was pretty weak but it definitely inspired me. All I did for quite some time was try and pick apart each section of the track and re-create it within my software. As time went on I was able to start hearing single sounds within a track and actually re-creating them extremely close to the original.
It was definitely down to those first few trance vinyl buys that pushed me to understand production and how to create that style of music.
i:Vibes: The famous musician Robbie Williams is also from York. If there was one Robbie Williams song that you would could remix which would you choose and how would the Activa sound soundlike?
Rob: I think Robbie Williams is from Stoke. Hehe. And to be quite honest I really dislike his music so I would probably turn down remixing a track by him.
i:Vibes: One of your musical inspirations is Paul Van Dyk. Do you remember the first time you heard of him? How has he inspired you the most and what was the first Paul van Dyk track that you heard from him?
Rob: I think the first time heard him was a set on Radio 1 years ago, I think it was around 98 or 99 and he played Avenue and Another Way. Although it took me a little time to get into Avenue, Another Way caught my attention straight away. I had already heard For An Angel and quite liked it, Another Way was really on a different level.
He has inspired me in a massive way, as I have got older I have become a lot more tough and energetic in my taste in music, something that the likes of Armin and Ferry can’t really satisfy. Although Paul’s style has developed and he plays a lot more slower tech-house at times and uses ableton, allowing him to rack through 20 tracks in 30 minutes, he is still probably the best DJ for my taste.
i:Vibes: How was your entrance into the trance world? Did you go the usual route of sending demos to labels or did you enter a different way? Do you have any particular person who helped you with your start?
If you look back to your start with Somatic Sense, how would you say has your sound developed over the years?
Rob: It was quite tough. I didn’t know any DJ’s or producers so I had no one to help with anything regarding learning to produce and no one to pass the tracks to when I had finished that would support and test them straight away.
As I got better at producing, Matt Hardwick was probably one of the first people to support my music but it was a good year or so until In Essence was finished and signed to Somatic Sense.
Even then, looking back, my productions were pretty weak and very simple but as I started to develop and create tracks I was truly happy with, more and more support came from the top DJ’s and I started to get more and more involved and picky about my productions, the mastering and how the tracks sounded which lead onto a more atmospheric but less ‘hands in the air’ riff style sound.
I think my productions got deeper and slightly harder until Remember came about which was a lot more uplifting and happier than the music I had been making.
i:Vibes: How would you describe the Activa sound of 2009?
Rob: I would say, energetic and pretty touch but still keeping and uplifting euphoric edge, that’s what I would like to put across anyway.
i:Vibes: Why did you call yourself Activa? Does the name have a special meaning?
Rob: Not really. I’m not too sure exactly how it came about, I think it had something to do with being the opposite to Galen Behr’s Passiva alias. Bit cheeky really but there wasn’t another Activa about at the time I came up with it.
i:Vibes: As Activa you have developed a very defined sound. Do you have a special way how you work in the studio? Some producers start with a baseline or melody or atmosphere. How does your studio plan work when you are working on a track?
Rob: It depends what I am doing at the time. I would say 75-80% of the time, I don’t have any melody or riffs in my head so I start with a kick and basslines and percussion set on an 8 bar loop. I’ll sit and obsess over the loop for a good few hours getting a sound I am really happy with and then stretch the track out and start on the arrangement. Usually backing melodies and things like acids start to get introduced and I try to build as much of the first half of the track as I can, not including effects and get to the break.
When I’m there ill find a chord sequence I like and put in some pad and string chords that fit then try and get some kind of melody line around that. When I get a riff, ill work on the second half of the track, then add all the effects and tweaks and small detail.
I know of a couple of other people who work in a similar way, whether it’s a way that most producers use, I’m not too sure. I think with most people it would depend on what they’re looking to do.
i:Vibes: What is your most prized possession in the studio that you could not live without?
Rob: A little while ago I would have said my Access Virus, but a few months back I took the plunge and bought a Mac Pro. Since getting the Mac and Logic my productions have been sounding a lot better I think and as I have had to get used to Logic, I have been experimenting more and have been making sounds and styles I probably wouldn’t have touched on before.
i:Vibes: I really love “This world”!. What was your inspiration behind making this beautiful piece of music? What was the most difficult part in getting this track perfect to your liking?
Rob: I must say, This World is one of my favourites too and funnily enough, I had the string chords and the pluck line in my head before I started making the track.
It was a one of the last tracks I made on my PC before switching and it seemed to all fall in place over the space of about 2 or 3 days. Fortunately there wasn’t really anything that I didn’t like or didn’t think fit when I tried it. It was quite a simple idea and one that I had used on End of Summer too; to use the strings as the melody and have no real riff or main melody in particular.
i:Vibes: Your latest offering “Rise Above” is another gem from you. What was the production time on this track? Are you a guy that can bang out tracks quickly or do some take a lot longer than other tracks?
Rob: Production times used to really depend on whether I was in the mood or not. Getting home from a really bad 8 hours in an office can really put you off at times but if I was in the producing mood, I could sometimes finish a track in about 6-8 hours.
Nowadays I spend a lot more time on getting the exact sound I want and the exact mix down which hopefully make the tracks sound tighter and clearer.
Tracks now can take me up to 48 hours over the space of a week to finish and even then I go back after about 2-3 weeks of not listening to it and adjust some areas.
i:Vibes: With Giuseppe Ottaviani, you have gotten one of the hottest producers at the moment to remix your track. What has he brought to “Rise Above” that has made his remix special?
Rob: Guiseppe is a great artist and one that I admire and look up to, it was great to get him to remix Rise Above. I think he has brought a much more riffy uplifting vibe to the original which is more a banging plucky PvD style track.
i:Vibes: Paul van Dyk named you producer of the year in DJ Mag. How big of a compliment is this and does it put unwanted pressure on you in being able to live up to your name at the moment?
Rob: It’s a massive compliment for me as its so public. Paul has been a massive influence for many years and to have someone that has been around that long picking me from the many other fantastic producers there are around, its really good.
It hasn’t really brought any extra pressure as I see my music as something created as a way to release my ideas and energy, if people like the music I make, great, if not, it doesn’t really affect me as you can never please everyone.
I suppose if I took everyone’s opinions personally whether it be good or bad it would put pressure on especially if those people liked PvD’s music and sets as much as I do, but I tend to hear what people have to say but not let it affect the way I want to do things and the music I want to make.
i:Vibes: You also have done many remixes. I like the “Shine On” remix very much. What is the most important thing for you when making a remix?
Rob: I think it is really to put your own spin on the original. Sometimes remixes are done and they come out very similar, I have done this a lot myself but now I only really take on tracks that I think are different enough from my own style and that I can put my own input into without sounding too much like an original track.
i:Vibes: You engineered the 2008 Jon O’Bir album from within, What was it like working with him in the studio?
Rob: Really good. I have been friends with Jon for quite a few years now and it was a good experience for both him to be able to get his ideas down in music form and for me as an engineer and producer to take his ideas and explanations and realize them how he wanted. I think die to my lack of experience while making From Within, my production style and sound came across a lot but I’m pretty sure Jon was pleased with the outcome.
i:Vibes: From Within is a great album with many wonderful tracks. Do you have a favorite track and why?
Rob: I think my favourite track from the album is Inflexion. I'm not really sure why, I just seem to like the chunky drive and bassline while still keeping the track uplifting. Another favourite is I Need You. That track was hammered by PvD running up to the release of the album and the reaction from some of the crowds I have seen when it plays is fantastic.
i:Vibes: What further releases can we await from you in the future? Is an Activa album planned?
Rob: I have quite a lot in the pipeline. I have recently finished a remix of For An Angel which was really hard to do. Mainly due to the status that track already has. Some people will probably curse all the remixes but it was something I couldn’t really turn down and I doubt anyone would!
I have also done remixes for Neal Scarborough, Mike Nichol and Sean Truby which will be released in the next few months.
I have a new Mekk V EP coming out on Discover Dark which will take a much more techno orientated approach to the Mekk V name. I also have a collab with Chris & Matt Kidd called U.R. on Discover and a Solar Movement track called Eclipse on Anjunabeats both to be released in the next 3 months or so.
I am working on my debut artist album, which is going really well so far. I am trying to do a lot more style of trance and experiment much more to make a good listen as a whole as well as good single track music. I have some tracks finished already but most still need a lot of work. I’m hopefully going to be finished just after summer.
i:Vibes: With what artist would you love to be locked away in the studio with for 24 hours?
Rob: Probably BT. His tracks are amazing and the breadth of his knowledge and style is incredible.
i:Vibes: What is your opinion of the German trance scene? What artists do you respect besides Paul van Dyk?
Rob: From what I have seen it is good. I have only played in Germany once so I am not too sure of the club scene, but in terms of the music that comes out of German on the like of Euphonic, there is some fantastic tracks.
Stoneface and Terminal are probably my favourite producers and have been for some time. Their tracks have a great sound and energy and area always a staple in my sets.
i:Vibes: You are also a DJ. What is the most important thing for you as a DJ?
Rob: I think the most important thing for me is that the crowd enjoy what I play. Everyone knows so much about upcoming and unreleased music now that it is hard to play a track without someone in the crowd knowing what it is. That can sometimes be a good thing, sometimes not. Whether they know the music or not, if they like it its always a great feeling and leaves you happy.
There is also a definite rush from seeing your music do well in a club or festival from the reactions of the crowd. It gives you the feeling you have done something right!
i:Vibes: What can one expect from you in a three hour DJ set?
Rob: It depends on the night and the crowd really. You might finish off after someone playing at 142 and unlike a lot of DJ’s who switch off and start again, I would start off at that speed and energy for about an hour but then try to drop it down gradually over the second hour into a less banging more uplifting sound before picking it back up again (Depending on how the crowd react to the more uplifting music).
If I’m playing after a warm up which normally finishes relatively slow I will try to start off at the same tempo and feel and pick it up or start slightly more upbeat to emphasize the change of DJ. However I do it, I will get to fast, energetic, uplifting music as that is what I am most known for and enjoy playing the most. If the crowd dig the energy, ill carry on and hopefully wear them all out! In a 3 hour set I would probably dip into techier trance if I thought it was right.
i:Vibes: You are a resident at Digital Society in Leeds. What makes this club so special for you as a DJ?
Rob: The club and the crowd! Digital Society is one of the best clubs to play, and I’m not saying that because I’m a resident. I made the decision to become a resident because of that fact. The crowd is dark and dirty, warehouse style which reminds me a lot of The Republic which was my favourite club before the re-fit and because of where the DJ booth is, there are people right in front of you. Its q pretty intimate venue. All that wouldn’t mean much if the crowd didn’t react which to be honest, very rarely happens. By about 12-1 AM the club and crowd are usually rocking and the tracks are going down really well.
i:Vibes: What are your five all time favourite tracks
Rob: Three Drives – Greece 2000 (Original Mix) (Massive Drive)
V-One – Dead Cities (Original Mix) (Hooj)
Nu NRG – Connective (Original Mix) (Vandit)
Lexicon 4 – Reach Me (PvD TPoD Remix)
Armin – Sunburn (Original Mix) (Armind)
i:Vibes: What are your hobbies?
Rob: When I worked in a 9-5 music was my hobby and one that took up most of my spare time. Nothing has really changed other than my hobby is now my job. I do like mountain biking and go to a nearby forest whenever I can. I also keep track of the NBA as much as I can, although the coverage on terrestrial channels in the UK is pretty dismal.
i:Vibes: If you played your last ever DJ set, with what track would you end your DJ set?
Rob: I really don’t know. It would have to be something that really stood out so to hopefully be remembered but I’m really not sure.
i:Vibes: Thanks Rob for the chat and good luck in the future!!
Rob: Thank you!
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