14 FAKTS INTERVIEW WITHROB STILLEKENS

Following his well-received 2024 collaborative EP, ‘I Feel It’ alongside Murphy’s Law, Tilburg’s Rob Stillekens returns to Sound D’Elite for a second outing with ‘Your Body’. With a focus on momentum and connection, Stillekens has become a regular fixture on the international circuit, performing at venues and festivals such as Mysteryland Festival, Free Your Mind Festival, and Hi Ibiza, while his productions have found homes on respected imprints including Deeperfect, Altra Moda, and LTF Records. For his debut solo outing on Sound D'Elite, Stillekens effortlessly strikes the balance between groove and restraint, blending rolling rhythms with undeniable dancefloor appeal.

Opening the release, ‘Your Body (Bang, Bang)’ rolls with swagger as slick vocals intertwine with crisp percussion and weighty kicks, resulting in a groove-laden roller. On the flip, ‘Twisted Up’ unfolds with hypnotic precision, weaving cosmic stabs, shimmering melodies, and playful female vocals that culminate in a deadly high-impact payoff.

Q: Please introduce yourself

Hi guys, I'm Rob Stillekens (98'), a DJ/Producer coming from Tilburg, The Netherlands . 

Q: One person you'd dream to have a coffee with?

I'd love to have a good coffee and conversation with Paco Osuna. He's built an incredible career while staying very true to himself. I'd love to hear about his decisions that shape his path along the way, and I would be very interested in how he flows within the music industry throughout the decades. 

Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Flying without a doubt! Would seem so insane to me to see every height as a place to go to and not be restricted like we humans are.

Q: If you would have been given the chance to do a film score, what movie would you choose and why?

I would like to make music for the ''Need For Speed " series or a lot of others in the action genre. Fast, energetic landscapes combined with emotion and fierceness. 

Q: Who influenced you the most in your music career and why?

I think my parents do, as I've grown up with their music. You automatically get influenced by the sound you've heard most, and most of the time that has been Disco or Electronic stuff. 

Q: Tell us about your journey, what got you to where you are today?

Passion and a dedication to learning the craft of production. For me personally, the road has been that I've started out only producing, with DJing following up to that. A lot of my bigger opportunities have mostly been because of the music I make and release.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting out their career in music?

Try to make things that resonate with what you like most, as that will come more naturally than something forced.

Q: Can you recall a DJ set or performance of yours that remains unforgettable to you? Where did it take place, and what makes it stand out among all others?

For me, it has to be the first time I played and visited Ibiza. On June 25' I had the chance to open up for legend Paco Osuna at his imprint ''NOWHERE'' paired with Reboot on a lineup taking place in the mighty Club Room in Hi Ibiza. This night had everything in my opinion, couldn't have had a better introduction on the island as this!

Q: How has your music style evolved over the years?

My style has evolved quite a lot over the years, but I think it has especially matured. For me, it's the sounds you choose in a production that give it the character it needs, and I've had the feeling that I come closer every production I do to creating the sound I strive to make.

Q: If you were to venture into another music genre, which one would you choose and why?

When I was younger, I listened to a lot of other styles of music, but electronic is what really stayed with me through the years. Besides that, I can easily enjoy other genres and can be fascinated on how things work just around the corner. There are a couple of genres that really draw my interest, such as Hip-hop or Dubstep, but if I really need to choose one, it would be something like old school disco. Especially the timeless music, I grew up mostly with my parents during my youth.

Q: Could you name 3 tracks that got you into electronic music and why?

1. Manu Gonzalez, Second City - Funk'd.

This masterpiece has been in my head for almost a decade now, and I've been playing it out for as long as I can remember. This track is the perfect example of why tech house can be as powerful as it is, the perfect level of tension and release implied by minimal elements. And I'm a drum guy, so this conga groove is never tiring and o so good.

2. Cristoph - Reachin.

This Techno/Techhouse like low tempo 124 bpm track for me is the ultimate way of how a production should sound. It's tappy bells combined with that deep rumbling bass is everything for me. Tracks like this have really influenced my sound a lot and really gave me so much connection with that the deeper and rougher sounds.

3. Manuel De La Mare, Luigi Rocca.

A friend introduced me to this track almost a decade ago, and since then, it has had a special place in my heart. The simplicity of the groove and emotional vocals makes it so it's timeless. For many years, I'll keep cherishing music like this as I see it as a red line inside of my musical journey.

Q: Can you recommend a hidden gem in your home country that would be perfect for a rave?

In Amsterdam, you've got the MADAM tower, and if you're visiting and love clubbing, then this is a must to go to. An amazing lookout on the central station of Amsterdam inside of the top venue and another crazy club located at the bottom of the tower (Shelter). This way, you can start at the top and end at the bottom as it closes later.

Q: Could you tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for the year?

First to say I'm very excited about my latest release ''Your Body EP'' which just recently came out on Ilario Alicante's imprint Sound D'elite. This time I've returned with a strong Solo EP which has gained early support from names like Ilario himself, Marco Carola, Jamie Jones and Joseph Capriati, to name a few.

Besides that im also very happy to announce that I'm returning for the 4th time with a single on Franky Rizardo's Brand called LTF Records somewhere later this year.

In terms of performance, I'll be heading to Solar Festival x STRAAL next, which I'm very excited to play for.

Q: Can you share a fun fact about yourself that most of your listeners are probably unaware of?

I've always been a night person. Ever since I was a kid, I never wanted to go to bed early. Now that I live on my own, I work on music almost daily till 3/4a.m.

There's something about the night that brings out my creativity. When the world has quieted down and everything seems to have stopped, I feel like I'm one of the few people still awake, completely immersed in creating my next piece of art. That's when ideas flow most naturally, and when I feel the most inspired.