Roy Tilbor AKA Rocky a name that is synonymous with the progressive trance genre. He has played at events around the world and has also been known to be in the crowd enjoying the music.
Someone who is really passionate about ensuring the crowd enjoys the music just as much as he enjoys it, Rocky has done remixes, collaborated with and been remixed by many top producers and big names in the international electronic music scene.
He is set to take centre stage during Rage Festival on the sunny shores of Durban, South Africa soon and before he is set to thrill us with the sounds of the tribe, we had the chance to catch up with him and speak to him about performing at RAGE Festival.
T.H.E – How are you and where in the world are you right now?
ROCKY – Well currently I’m in Israel, I’ve just moved into a new house. I’m back home for one week before I’m on the road again.
T.H.E – How has 2015 been for you so far?
ROCKY – It’s been a very beautiful year I’ve learnt a lot this year. I finished my new album and I have moved to a new studio for me I’m not doing an album every year so it’s been intense for me. I love to fly for people but I also enjoy sitting in the studio creating new beats and sounds and melodies. So this year for me has been a great success.
T.H.E – For people who might not know “Rocky”, how would you describe your sound?
ROCKY – My sound for sure im sitting on a genre called progressive trance and I’m sitting in the bpm of 128-135, I really love to put different kinds of drums in my music and style. Drums from brazil to Africa. I wish people would understand I am aiming to be more groovy, I want the girls to be dancing because then I know the boys will come.
T.H.E – You have an amazing career thus far, spanning several years. Please tell us a bit about your journey that has brought you to this time and place.
ROCKY – It’s really hard to put a pin on a situation to say a small history I think I’m in a rollercoaster, there are days when I wake up thinking “Wow I’m still doing this, I mean his was my hobby when i was 12” . My journey is tenfold I’m waking up and thanking god for each day. When I’m flying and meeting new and old friends I mean it’s great to have friends from Mexico to Germany in Cape Town and Sao Palo, in many places where I feel I have good communication with the people. I’m getting paid for it I’m making people dance and smile the journey is amazing. I’m really passionate about it, I’m always trying to look for the positives, as long as the people are enjoying it even if it’s a bad situation I look for those people who are enjoying it.
T.H.E – What can festival-goers expect from “Rocky” at Rage Festival?
ROCKY – I will do my best to present my new and some of my old music for sure it doesn’t matter to me if there are 10 or 10 000 people I will always play the best quality I don’t come on stage to lift my hands I come to dance and enjoy with the people. Hopefully we can enjoy and make a good party altogether.
T.H.E – What are you most looking forward to at Rage and South Africa in general?
ROCKY – Like every time I hope to meet new friends because the world is becoming small due to the internet so I’m playing in new places but when I go home I get messages from Facebook of people enjoying it. Last time in Cape Town I made a lot of new friend’s that is what I most look forward to.
T.H.E – What are some of your best memories of festivals from around the world?
ROCKY – A lot of times I’m thinking I could write a book about my life, my life a lot of times is like I said a roller coaster, thank god for that. I had a lot of great memories from a lot of festivals. Last summer I was playing with ace ventura, my partner in the project “Easy Riders” we were playing in the Ozora festival in hungary, I played before him then we played together, we finished at about 5-6 in the evening and we decided to stay for the festival so we went to the techno stage the guys who were playing goes by the name of D-Nox & Beckers, they were playing for 7 hours it wasn’t techno from the clubs but more psychedelic techno and I stayed there and danced till they finished, I don’t ever remember dancing so much and enjoying the moment so much. Its good to know I still have it you can keep me dancing barefoot as well some friends think I take things but its just the good music.
T.H.E – What is your opinion when it comes to Clubs Vs Festivals? Do you have a preference?
ROCKY – Very nice question, I’m a guy that really enjoys both. You can have good experiences in a club and open air it depends on the time like if were playing at sunset, open air has a more unique vibe for the psy sound, clubs are more warm, your with the people in a different energy. It depends in the location like in Germany I’m playing open air but its freaking cold. Depends on the situation open air is more traditional for the psy music you can get in touch with the tribal beats it depends which day though.
T.H.E – You have recently released your third album “Conflict of Rhythm”, Congratulations for that. Please Tell us a bit about it and how your music has evolved over the years.
ROCKY – People say in the studio is making the magic thinking of what sounds I’m going to use Conflict Of Rhythm had its inspiration from me wanting to make a solo album these days people are great artists they use friendship’s collabs and remixes but I felt like I did a lot of collabs and I learnt a lot from other artists so I wanted to do it on my own this time.
T.H.E – Lastly do you have any shout-outs or messages to fans and readers, especially to Rage Fest attendees?
ROCKY – Come positive in everything you do and I’ll do my best and always with a smile. Oh and I like a cold beer so if you see me you know what to do. I’m coming to dance with you and enjoy and yes I can dance and work at the same time.
T.H.E – Thank you for taking the time out to speak to us, it’s really appreciated. We look forward to experiencing your set live in December.
For more information on the festival, click here.
