Curbi is back with a brand new EP, The Pattern, out now on Tomorrowland Music. The UK-born, Amsterdam-based producer/DJ has come a long way since he burst onto the scene during the early-to-mid 2010’s EDM boom. While he originally made his name with Spinnin’ and Musical Freedom tracks like “Hoohah”, “51” and “Triple Six,” Curbi has actually put out a steady stream of releases in the ensuing years, including several other EPs. We got the chance to sit down and have a chat with Curbi about his growth as an artist, what makes “The Pattern” different from his other work, and his favorite collaborators.
Hey Toby! Thanks for chatting with us. First off just tell us a little about yourself and how you got into making dance music
“So, I started around 2013, I used to listen to a lot of hardstyle when I was younger. In specific, Darren Styles kind of got me into electronic music from the get go. And, then that broadened out, I started listening to Oliver Heldens. And, then I thought, I’ve got to start producing, so then I began producing. And, actually before that, I used to play the drums, when I was seven years old. But, like I say, when I started listening to these guys, they really influenced me and motivated me to start making electronic music. So, then in 2013, I start making electronic music, and then in 2014, I got signed to Spinnin’. So, it was like a year later, it went pretty, bloody fast. That’s basically it, and now we’re here.”
How did the pandemic affect you? What did you do in lieu of touring? Were you on any live streams?
“Yeah, basically just shows. That’s the only thing which I missed out on. But, I did spend a good portion of 2020 in Taiwan. And there, it was actually open, so that was quite an experience for me. I was there for like seven months or so, but making music the whole time. I had a couple of shows out there, but that was it. Then, I came back here to Europe, and just sat in the studio every single day. Of course, the pandemic, it affected me in a mental, kind of creative state, because I had no shows to play. So, there really wasn’t much motivation, but, yeah, I still came through, and I had a lot of projects and older ideas which I could work through. Which I’d been making the past few years, and that was really a problem. Actually, I think, the whole pandemic did help me in that sense, I really got focused on making a lot of stuff…I think a lot of people, a lot of DJs, they can get distracted by shows and what-not. At least, for me as well. So, this was good for me to focus for sure.”
Tell us about the new EP that’s coming out tomorrow. What can your fans expect to hear? What are they going to love, what’s a little different?
“I think this is my fourth EP, so far. But, with this EP, so I started this, the first project is called “Show” and I started that like 9 or 10 months ago or so. So, it’s taken quite a while to finish it. But, this EP, I’m really really bloody happy with it. And I think this really shows the wide range of stuff I can make and not just sticking to the same club stuff, and the same house-y, loud kind of stuff that I usually do. So, I think this is good to show people the diversity. And, it’s amazing to do it with Tomorrowland. They just started the label, and it’s a big, big honor to be a part of that. And for them to push it out, yeah, I think that’s pretty legendary. So, I’m super happy with it.”
How did it come about? Did you have a vision for a multi-song EP or did you kind of line up a few songs and it was like, these would go well together?
“Yeah, it was kind of like mix-and-match, to be honest. I did want to make another EP again, and I have set my mind on starting a brand new EP. But, it kind of just came about, I made one song and left it to the side. And, I just basically came together at the end, like four months ago or so, and found all of the best songs, the six songs. I figured them out an pieced them together a little bit more to make it into a full EP.”
Who have been some of your favorite collaborators over the years? Who would you like to work with in the future?
“Ooh, this is a good question. That’s a tough one. I’m also just thinking to myself right now, oh shit, who did I collaborate with? If we’re talking about, not DJ collaborators or producer collaborators, if I’m talking about singer/songwriters and whatnot, then I would have to say for my song “Spiritual” with Brooke Tomlinson, it was amazing to work with her. Of course, as well, I’ve made a lot of stuff with Helen. Which, I also have a new song coming out with her at the beginning of next year. So, she was amazing to work with. If we’re talking about DJs, then Tchami was amazing. This guy’s a genius and that’s absolutely insane to work with him. And, of course, guys like Mike Cervello, Quintino. But, I think Tchami was probably at the top of the list.”
Was it kind of like, when you got together with him, you learned new stuff, like, wow, I didn’t know you could do that?
“Well, it was kind of sucky in a way, because we didn’t actually get to sit in the studio together, so I didn’t really see his whole process. But, we were sending stuff back and forth, and talking about it over What’sApp. And really discussing through the whole vibe of the track, and what he changed, and what he thought should be different about his approach to my approach. I just thought that was really interesting, because I’ve worked with a lot of guys kind of making similar music to him, or at least, wanting to be making similar music to him. But, to hear it from him, he’s very insightful.”
Now that the world’s been opening back up, you had ADE, which I’m sure was awesome. Have you been able to get out on the road and do any proper touring?
“So, for ADE, I think this was the smallest ADE I’ve done so far, I only did two shows. The past few years, besides 2020, but 2019 dating back to 2015, I would do five to eight shows. And it would be super hectic and intense. But, this year, I only did two shows. I also had two shows planned on a Friday and a Saturday. The Friday show couldn’t happen, this was outside in Slovakia. So, that’s the other thing, even though things are opening up, they’re always consistently changing. I also did another show in Germany that Saturday, which was a lot of fun. So, things are picking up, but you can never be sure.”
Do you have any other fun quarantine stories, not necessarily related to music? Pick up any hobbies or any binge watch recommendations?
“This is going to sound boring as hell, but, literally, I have nothing. I’ve only been making music, I’ve been watching some random shit, but, yeah, I just try and force myself to make music.”
Any messages for the fans and when can we expect to see you here in the US again?
“I just want to say to everyone, as always, thank you for supporting my music. I really hope that I can come back to the US soon. I’m working on my visa, I think my appointment is in January, so that’s kind of long. But, I’m really excited to come back, I’ve done a couple of tours in the US and they were so bloody fun. As a British person, coming over to America, it’s fun. So, yeah, I’m just excited for the future and for future shows, and for you guys to listen to my brand new music.”
Check Curbi’s latest EP The Pattern, out now on Tomorrowland Music.
