With his bass-heavy sound c.o.n.e. has grabbed the attention of Rinse FM and one of his major influences, Solid Groove (a.k.a. Switch). We asked the Rotterdam-based producer to introduce himself.
Who are you?
I am Raoul Guillermo, I am from Rotterdam and I produce and perform music under the name c.o.n.e.
What do you sound like?
Well… to be honest I don’t really know. As we speak I’m working on a bass/funky remix for Dutch DJ Rockid, and this track is gonna end up really loud and bass-heavy.
When producing I tend to always end up with tracks that have a broken or funky twist in them mixed up with some nice heavy bass. Whether slow or fast, my aim is always the dance floor.
Why should we listen to you?
Because I work hard for it! And I spend too much time in the studio!
On a serious note… I try to sound different from the rest whilst still keeping that groove flavour. I’m not saying I always succeed, but that is definitely my goal.
What have you released so far? What else have you got coming out in the near future?
I’ve had a few releases on different labels, so far mostly remixes for UK and Dutch artists like Hint, Colonel Red, Mirrors and LPZ. Then there have been a few collaborations with artists like Essa (formerly know as Yungun), Colonel Red and the Berlin producer Raabenstein.
I’ve also released two albums: Scaramouche on Nonine Records, a collaboration with Raabenstein and Dutch producer Subsequent, and Crazybreed with Colonel Red (I released this one myself on Footsteppa). A nice touch was that one of the songs “Spaceface” ended up on Apollo, a child label of R&S.
On my own label I’ve released my own Babysteppa and Step To It EPs, these were a kind of a new start for me in producing. I felt it was time to incorporate all of the previous styles I had used before into the more street bass vibe, which you can hear on my latest releases.
Most recently of course there’s the Doppa EP on Loungin’ Recordings!
Last but certainly not least I’m also working on a new live set. Which will probably lead into more new tunes and maybe even a new album…
What song sums you up? Why?
That would have to be ‘Golden’ by Jill Scott. The chorus “Living my life like it’s golden” pretty much sums it up for me haha!
What or who is your biggest influence and why?
My son. He is one year old now. Like every child will do, he flipped my life upside down but he also made me set my goals straight and look at my life and everything around me from a completely different perspective.
Where can we hear your music?
On SoundCloud and YouTube.
Where will you be in five years’ time?
Hopefully somewhere under the sun with a fast internet connection and a solid studio to produce in. I’m thinking Guyana, Ibiza, Portugal, Miami. Don’t know yet.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I’m a big geek/nerd… and proud of it!
c.o.n.e.’s Doppa EP is out now on Loungin’ Recordings. Find him on SoundCloud, YouTube and Twitter.