Interview with TBR

Interview with 13-Year Old Big Room Producer, TBR

5/24/2018

TBR is a 14 year-old producer from Cologne, Germany. Despite his young age, his style and production skills have landed him major DJ support and releases on Unbridled Recordings, Madox Records, Up High Recordings, Overture Network, Virility Recordings, and his most recent track is out now on Quartzo Records.

How did you first get into EDM?
The first EDM track I heard was by David Guetta and Showtek called “Bad.” What drew me to that track was the sound design and the melodies that fit so well with those awesome vocals by Vassy.

How did you go about learning how to use a DAW? Any tips to impart onto other producers?
My DAW of choice is FL Studio. It is very easy to learn and never runs out of surprises. The one thing I could recommend for new producers is to spend as much time as possible working in FL Studio so that you can really master it.

Can you tell us about the making of your Quartzo Release?
The idea of the drop was made pretty quick; I had it ready in about an hour. My main problems came up in the break and the buildups. I tried searching for vocals on the internet and found these NASA radiograms which really fit into the track so well! I was so hype and I ended up finishing the track in one week. Or at least I thought I was finished. After taking a step back and listening to it a few more times, I got kind of bored of it. So I decided to change the second drop. I tried switching up the melody and I added a Bounce part that I think flows really well into a trap section. After I was truly happy with it, I sent it to Quartzo. It got disapproved at first, but I changed the kick and everything was fine. The whole track was done in 3-4 weeks.

What would you say to those who say your style is a bit derivative, especially when it came to “Want Me” and “Rhythm of the Night”?
Well “Want Me” was a bad coincidence. I actually started the project before the first version of “Rhythm Of The Night” got played by W&W at Tomorrowland 2017. I’ll admit that “Want Me” grew to become a bit more like a SaberZ track after I heard “Rhythm Of The Night”. Even still, I think my has style evolved a lot over the last few months. I try to stay in that Mainstage style but work to develop my own “sub style” within it.

Where are you planning on going with your music?
Definitely try and reach bigger labels by the end of the year and into 2019.

Just made a new track

A post shared by TBR (@tbr.music) on Apr 17, 2016 at 4:19am PDT

What do you do outside of music?
I do what every other teenager does like go to school, meet friends, play video games. Just stuff like that.

Do other kids at school know about what you do?
Some of them know about it but they’re pretty indifferent about it all. I think that they just don’t understand why I’m having so much fun making music. For me, it’s just a hobby just like soccer or basketball is.

What has been your proudest moment so far and what are you looking forward to next?
It would definitely be the moment when I received the email from Quartzo saying that my “Lift Off” got accepted. I’m looking forward to more releases on Quartzo and other big labels and I hope my community supports my upcoming tracks as well as the ones that are already out!

A big thank you to TBR for taking the time to answer our questions! Be sure to follow him on social media for all his latest releases!
Soundcloud
Facebook
Instagram

Also follow his Radio Show and Record Label!
Crosstime Radio
Crosstime Records