Interview: Hobin Rude

Hailing from Serbia, Hobin Rude first came to our attention just over a year ago with a remix for Jelly For The Babies One Of A Kind imprint. His progressive sounds quickly found favour with both fans and his contemporaries, eventually leading to releases courtesy of Balkan Connection, Droid9 and Massive Harmony Records. Now as 2021 winds to a close, Hobin adds La Cura de la Semana to his resume with a new single alongside remixes from Bojan B and Teleport-X. We had a chance to catch up with Hobin for an exclusive interview just prior to the release. Enjoy!

1. Hi Hobin, thanks for joining us. What is your current mood and what was the last piece of music you listened to?

Hello Mitch, thanks a lot for the invite! I am in a quite repetitive circle lately, just doing music, finishing my University and working on my daily job. The last piece of music is actually Inna - Amazing! Brang back a lot of great memories when I was a teenager and had my first crush haha:)

2. What are your plans for the coming week?

Actually it isn't as interesting, since i finished one remix for Droid9, i have plenty of time now to study, since my University is slowly coming to an end. I am not a guy that goes out that much, i enjoy long walks and hanging out with my close friends.

3. Tell us a bit about yourself, how did you discover electronic music and what led you down the path of wanting to be a DJ and producer?

Honestly, i could talk about this for hours but I'll keep it simple. I started (as perhaps a lot of us) listening to that EDM sound that became really popular back in 2010. After a couple of years, my taste got a bit more sophisticated so I decided to explore various of genres, but somewhere in 2015 I immediately fell in love in Progressive house. My heart and emotions were always somehow connected to the story this genre is telling us through the melody, so i didn't think twice. In 2017, I spontaneously started DJ-ing when my nowadays best friend explained me the basics since he was a DJ back than as well. The process of everything was really slow at the beginning, and i really think it is the best way. You gotta give yourself time. For everything in life. After 3 years, in the beginning of 2020. I've started to learn music production, since i always wanted to leave my mark on something. I think production is one of my biggest passions, since I know how much time and effort I put in to try to be better from hour to hour. Therefore every single producer has my big respect, 'cause I know what is happening behind the scenes:)

4. Can you name five tracks that were important in your musical development and why they are so significant for you?

I don't know why, but this was always a hard question for me haha. If I have to choose one track that will forever stay in my heart, it will most certainly be Kevin Di Serna & Ditian - Crystal Forest. Every time i hear it, i just feel my heart filling with joy. Unexplainable.

5. Tell us about growing up and living in Serbia, how has it influenced the music you make and your career path?

I honestly think I wouldn't change anything about my childhood. As I am getting older, I honestly start to realize that that 'cliche' sentence we all hear 1000 times "Everything happens for a reason" actually can't be more true. I love my country, and I wouldn't change it in a million lives. It is something about us here, I don't know what:) Actually, I don't think it had some big influence, since progressive house isn't that popular over here. It is getting there for sure, mainly thanks to the great people from Progresivna Suza who are doing an amazing job for our Progressive scene over here.

6. Who are some up and coming artists from Serbia to look out for?

Regarding the upcoming artist, I would definitely say my friend Illusory, who has been on fire lately and getting worldwide support from names like Solomun, Adriatique, Tale of Us and many more. Future is really looking good for him. Interesting mixture of house, techno, electronica, packed into one amazing journey.

7. Do you get a chance to DJ much in your home country? And if so what are some of your favourite venues to play?

Actually i had. I've played all over my country, but if I have to choose one venue that was special for me, it was last year in June when I played in Barutana. That's literally the historic place of electronic music in Serbia, really has some weight to it. I felt honored. There is an event I am playing on in less than a month with amazing Navar, so I think it is gonna be quite special as well. It is the event of the organization I've mentioned in your last question (Progresivna Suza)

8. You have a new single out this week on DJ Ryan’s La Cura De La Semana imprint, tell us about the track and how it showcases your sound.

The track is a bit different then my usual style, since i want for a bit trancy vibes now, but i really like how it turned out to be! Got some support from amazing artist and can't wait for it to be out! Also huge thanks to my dear friends Bojan B and Teleport X for aaaamazing works they've done on the remixes! I know Ryan (label owner) for a very long time, he is an amazing guy and an amazing producer. So we were chatting and i shared a demo because i simply felt his passion towards all of this. And i wasn't wrong at all, he is such a dedicated guy and much respect for everything he has done for the release.

9. Please walk us through the production process on it.

As i said, this time i really wanted to try something trancy. So i started like i usually start, making the groove by isolating the kick and percs first. Want to keep the dancing going, you know?:) After that i went with the arps i immediately liked, gave me the exact vibe i wanted. Got the idea i should autofilter them and just keep bringing them in and out so i can give the track some dynamics. Rest was just ear candy, buildups, but those vocals, God i was lucky to find them! When i first heard them, i instantly felt they are borned for this track. A lot of Valhalla Shimmer, reverbs, playing around with the fillers, and it is as it is right now.

10. What made La Cura De La Semana a good home for this track?

Everything! Especially i know Ryan likes that trancy proggy vibes as well, i know it can only be good! And damn i was right! Once again, huge props for everything my dear friend done for this.
I see a really bright future for La Cura De La Semana!

11. What does your set-up look like? Do you favor physical gear over digital? And what studio tools featured heavily in the writing of ‘Dinea’?

I couldn't wait for this question to come haha. I still work on my keyboard, mouse and headphones. Don't wanna say it will stay that way, but honestly nothing is preoccupating my attention and i found my perfect workflow (also i don't wanna get kicked out of the house hahaha) But as soon as i isolate my room a bit, i'll starting working on getting some proper equipment. In Dinea, i mainly used Hive, since it is my favourite VST for sure! There was some Diva and Arturia as well, but Hive is my first love.

12. What’s a piece of gear or software that always gets used when you’re writing a track?

My gear isn't so interesting, so i will say there is always some Hive things included, since it is my favourite, as i said earlier.

13. Generally speaking, do you find it more difficult to come up with original tracks than remixing a track from another artist?

Honestly, quite the opposite! I like both, but i find it a bit harder still to do a remix rather then doing my original track. I guess it is all individual, but i manage to make it through anyway.

14. What has the last year and a half been like for you? Have you focused more time on making music? And has the pandemic affected your creative spirit in any way?

Music wise, it was amazing. I really gave my all into evolving my production knowledge, and i think i am on a right path. Got some amazing support and plays from worlds most biggest artist like Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren, Armen Miran, Nicolas Rada, Fernando Ferreyra, Solarstone and many more and i just can't be more grateful for it. The pandemic affected just in a way to spend more time home and that way try to improve as much as i can.

15. What is the current state of the pandemic in Serbia?

It is not that good. The situation is changing from moment to moment, but it is constantly bad since the numbers are high. But there are some events going on, ofcourse in Covid regulations with limited time and allowed entrance for only vaccinated people after some particular period.

16. In your opinion, what’s the biggest risk you’ve taken and what made you do it?

Maybe choosing to study this university (University of Physical Chemistry) since i was never that good in neither of those haha. Life circumstances made my do it, and some future plans.
I honestly don't regret it, since i manage to make it through and i am almost done with it. As i said in some my previous posts, eveything is slowly starting to make sense:)

17. Current five favourite tracks?

1.Guy J - The Fall
2.EANP - Lydia
3.Seven Lions - Days To Come (Mass Digital Remix)
4.U Don't Know (Alex O'Rion Deep Dub Mix)
5.Dimuth K & Berni Turletti - Tejomaya (Alex O'Rion Remix)

18. Apart from music, what makes you happiest?

Knowing we are waking up each day a bit more mature then we were yesterday.

19. What is your favourite food?

Pizza, i am old school!

20. Iphone or Android?

Android forever!!!

21. What does 2022 hold for you? Anything you can share with us?

I honestly think it is gonna be an unreal year for me. I already have some releases i can't talk about, but those are some things i never could have imagined would happen. A true dream come true (or even more of them:) ) A part of some really big releases, i have some gigs abroad i am really excited about and gonna share it soon as well.

Once again, big thanks Mitch and Release Promo for having me! This really means a lot, wishing you all the best and keep up the amazing work!

'Dinea' is available now via La Cura de la Semana: https://bit.ly/31Rl5GJ