|
"... sometimes, you don't even have the time to realize what is happening to your life, that is has already happened... the world moves too fast... let's recapture the essence of time." .
Robert Miles
"Children" is the name of the first and instantly a HUGE hit by Robert Miles. His real name is Roberto Concina. Robert Miles was born in November 3, 1969 in Neuchatel, Switzerland and presently lives in Italian city: Fagana. He also has an apartment in London, England (he had to move because too many fans around him were bothering his neighbors). . Looking at his booming career, you probably would not expect this, but Robert as a child did not show any interest in music. He prefered to have fun with his friends instead of play music. His parents Antonietta and Albino quite often took young Robert for sightseeing trips.. He was a sweet child and did not create serious problem. The only thing he was refusing to do was playing piano !!! The instrument that made him famous. His teacher tried everything: Bribery with candies, threats. Nothing really worked. He simply did not want to touch piano's keyboard. It changed suddenly when he became older. He started to teach himself and became very good in playing piano. He actually liked to do things without being supervised.. Everything went much smoother that way.
Since 1988 he is a professional DJ playing mostly TRANCE, TECHNO and PROGRESSIVE HOUSE. The beginning was not that easy. He tried to DJ in many Italian Clubs in various regions of Italy. Not always with success. This hectic experiences could discourage, however Robert Miles was not that easy to give up. He wanted more! He started to pursue his dream to-work in studion. in HIS OWN studio. This came true in 1990, when using the money he was saving he bought second hand studio equipment. Nothing fancy at the beginning. couple of turntables, computer, mixer. Later on completed with more advanced equipment. He produced several tracks during that time, but none of them were noticed. His success story started with the collaboration with another composer and producer of many mixes Joe. T. Vanelli
1995 became a breakthrough in his career. with release of a DREAM HOUSE single "Children". The style already existed in Italian scene, however it was Robert Miles who made this style to be known to entire world. He is getting credit for DREAM MUSIC, but he actually shouldn't. Among the first creators of this style were artists like: Adriano Dodici, Gigi d'Agostino (well known nowadays), Leonardo Rossi, and DJ Gianni Parrini who in fact was the first introducing term DREAM HOUSE back in 1993. Did you know that? I am sure you didn't.. This sensational new style is a brilliant mixture out of dance-beat and sentimental melody line. Right for hot hours in the clubs or the quiet moments at home.
It is interesting story behind the "Children". There are at least two versions. One suggested that he done that one as a tribute to children from Bosnia. (actually his father was driving to Bosnia to help the children). Another story behind is the car-accident that happened to a teenager after he left the disco. This is based on true story. Robert Miles was a DJ in this disco. Discos in Italy are closed at 2:00 AM. When DJ Miles was finishing his round, he started playing more calm music so people could drive home less excited. Well.. It didn't help the guy who got killed in the car accident. Robert Miles himself admits that both versions are real.
More than 30, 000 copies of "Children" single released in Summer of 1995 was sold within 2 weeks after its release!. However that was only the start. He virtually conquered the old continent. "Children" climbed to top position in the UK-Charts and TOP TEN. With over 900,000 copies sold this single earned him Platinum-record in England. Similar status this single reached also in Switzerland. With well over 800,000 sold records and being number 1 song for 8 consecutive weeks this single also earned him a Platinum status in Germany. This song became number one in many other countries and earned him also a Gold records there (e.g. Austria, France Ireland, Belgium Holland, Sweden and even Israel. Speaking of Israel this single wasn't released domestically there, but earned that title just from import!!!
His next single "Fable" (The Fairytale) also had an extensive piano in it. The main theme of this track was not accidently chosen. Robert as a child liked when his mother was telling him bed time fairytales. Very often his mother was very tired and her eyes were closing, but Roberto did not let her stop until he fallen asleep.Today the fairytales tell him an American singer: Feralla Quinn. She is doing a female vocal in "Fable".
In June 07, 1996 he released his debut album Dreamland. It became an instant hit, and soon will probably become a GOLD RECORD for him. Good luck Robert! We love your style! This album was also released in th U.S. Surprisingly it took only about 1 month from it's original release. Both albums are exactly the same with sone playing time variations from original and one addition in the U.S. release. New track was added that is called "One To One". This is probably the only one case when European release in the U.S, was better than the original. We just got lucky. Additional thing worth to mention, that in this beatiful track the vocal is done not by Feralla Quinn but by Maria Nayler . "One And One" was also released in the U.S. as a single (Arista - 07822-13247-2) and in Germany (Urban - 575 663-2)
In end of 1996 Robert Miles released his next album called Dreamland - The Winter Edition. This album virtually is similar to the first edition of Dreamland (the new tracks in the German album are: "One & One previously released in US album version and "4us", previously unreleased in album but appeared on "One & One" single. This album came matching the Christmas winter time. Special distribution and production. A perfect Christmas gift for everybody from the youngest to the oldest.
With his dream music he started a new trend that other artists (e.g. DJ Dado, Zhi-vago, and many others) are following. It does not bother Roberto, in fact he is very happy that his music is well taken by people. In spite of his success he remains to be a modest guy. He also never appears on the videos to his music. He explains that judgment of him should come from the music not his face. He also wants his privacy secured and doesn't have desires to become TV star.
Some of you might be interested to see how Robert Miles can mix, after all he is a DJ. You will have this opportunity. After the album Dreamland released in 1996 and singles like "Children" or "One & One he released the compilation called DJ Robert Miles In The Mix. 27 year old Robert Miles proves his talent as Progressive House/HardTrance - DJ and presents a darker, harder and Urban Sound beyond his enormously successful Dreamhouse style. From Goldie's Drum&Bass anthem "Inside City Life" over the harmonic "Track 7:22" by Saw D up to his own "Fable", Robert Miles, presents here himself from unknown by all side. A DJ with energy, that is transferred by the music on the dancefloor. That are the criteria for this CD track selects. Whoever wants to get to know him better, has hereby the chance.
After long period of silence he is back with a new track called "Freedom" released in November 1997. This track is a preface to soon be released his third album. Please stay tuned for more news.
So here we have a new album by Miles released on November 27 1997 called 23 am. Most of you probably expecting new dream house. The word is NO. Not dream house in this one. Actually Robert Miles wanted to give you something different. As he says: "Many people have expected from me, that I do things, that I not at all wanted. I am no Pop Star and do not want to belong to Monsterous Pop Industry. I do something, what I very dear: Music. therefore no one should love me, but only my music." The consequence is this new album. This is a mysterious and sudden image change that so many of you may question if this album indeed was recorded by Robert Miles. You still have him in here. His typical complex arrangements out of mood-full piano-sounds, into the area of floating woman-voices and trance like sounds mingle itself at 23am electronic and acoustic alleys. 23am is not really a dance album , but rather a trip through the life. The album starts very slowly with the birth: "A new Flower"- you will hear sample of a baby scream, afterwards the music tells stories from the everyday life: " Freedom", "Texture" or "Fly Away". Whereby the latter is dedicated to the travel - one of the most concise experiences Robert Miles in the last year . The slow Trance track "Full Moon" and "Leaving Behind" are metaphor for the death. What Miles himself think about this album? I think that this album differs very strongly from my first. It is more complete and more personal. One can regain me therein, even if it is another site of me, as those, which one heard beforehand of me. The album contains Trance, Breakbeat and Drum'n'Bass. Perhaps people, who know me only as Trance and Techno DJ, will not like it. But the most important for me is that the music gives somewhat, if one hears it. An emotion or a character.
|
