Preston Chin, also known as Robotaki, has continuously put out music that is not defined by genres. Everything from funk, to pop, to disco, Robotaki has cultivated a sound unlike any other. In the lead up to his new EP, Science, Robotaki has released the ultra-smooth, funk-influenced ‘Butterscotch’ and trippy future bass ‘Limbo,’ showcasing his musical prowess. With his new EP set to drop soon (April 13th), we caught up with Robotaki to talk about influences for the new EP, future projects, and his love for Harry Potter. Check out the full interview below.
you have to temporarily suspend what you learned in the past and leave room to experiment
You have a very interesting and unique sound that isn’t really heard anywhere else. What goes into your thought process when making music?
My thought process is heavily inspiration-driven and sporadic – it honestly isn’t much of a process at the heart of it, and I kind of prefer it that way. When I start to hear too many recycled elements between my tracks, I always feel like I’ve been lazy and haven’t pushed my personal boundaries enough. Similarly, I’ve found that days where I go into a session thinking “I want to make this today because this artist made this,” I usually eventually hit a wall and can’t push the idea any further. There’s a sweet spot between creativity and productivity where you have to temporarily suspend what you learned in the past and leave room to experiment.
The recent single, ‘Butterscotch,’ was just released and it has a much different feel than ‘Limbo.’ What influences you and have those influences changed as you have evolved as an artist?
My influences are completely all over the place, but I tend to get drawn towards nostalgic things like old video games, music I grew up with, memories from my youth, Harry Potter. How that might impact my musical choices is up in the air, but I like to think that in some way or another this theme might come out in my music. I’m a very sentimental person, sometimes to a fault. Some artists I listen to all the time are Royksopp, Gorillaz, J Dilla, The Chemical Brothers, Phoenix, Jai Paul, etc. I guess my influences haven’t necessarily changed but I think as I’ve evolved as an artist, my confidence and ability to bring them into my own tracks has improved.
Your new EP, Science, is coming out soon. What can fans expect from the new EP?
I would love fans and new listeners alike to approach the EP with the understanding that this was not meant to be a collection of tracks constructed for DJ sets. I’m hoping that when someone listens to this EP, that at least one of the tracks resonates with the way that person might be feeling that day or month. Musically, my only hope is that the sound is unmistakably mine but shows exploration to different ends of my production.
…the only way I could mentally deal with these kinds of events was to make music
Based on the singles and your past music, each song seems to have a deeply personal meaning. With Science being your second EP, what does it mean to you?
This new EP is a big personal step for me for many reasons. I haven’t released a body of work like this since 2012 with the Raton Laveur EP. The tracks in this EP also were made over the course of almost 2 years during drastically different times of my life. When I was working on the first track, I didn’t even have the concept of an EP in my mind yet, I was still in graduate school doing genetics, was in a relationship, living in a different city. Since then, my life went through a lot of change: I made the decision to pursue music over academia after having studied sciences for basically all my life, I went through a tough long distance relationship after feeling in love, I moved from Montreal to Toronto. I’m quite an anxious person (seriously, I pace a LOT) so the only way I could mentally deal with these kinds of events was to make music. This EP, therefore, is essentially a cathartic release for me.
Besides the obvious reasons, the EP name Science came from how I always found it funny how the concept of science captures a lot about the way I used to view life philosophically. Similar to the way scientists try to explain the universe by recognizing and predicting patterns in nature, many people, including myself, tend to explain why certain things happen in life and plan 20 steps down the road because this can feel safe. We’re taught all our lives to prepare our CVs, get that job, get that promotion. The problem is when things happen without reason and not according to plan, all you’re left with is a lack of an explanation which can be quite frustrating. When I stepped away from my studies, I realized how chaotic and unpredictable life is and how trying to explain everything might not be the best way. This is why I named the EP, Science.
I understand there’s also a remix pack in the works. How do you go about selecting artists to rework your music? Have any remixes completely surprised you?
There is! I selected the artists to take part in this remix pack simply because I loved their music. All of the remixes I’ve heard so far have blown me away with their creativity and I’m super excited for everyone to hear them. It’s a real privilege to have such talented minds putting their spins on my tracks.
Besides the new EP, what else should fans be on the lookout for?
Without giving away too much since I have some surprises being worked on heavily at the moment, fans should be ready for a lot more music, new sounds, and many more shows this year. The stuff I’ve been working on lately feels like a big upgrade and has me really excited for the coming year!
It’s no secret that you love Harry Potter. If you went to Hogwarts what house would you be in and why?
If I went to Hogwarts (…which I do), I’d want to be in Ravenclaw because the students getting sorted to that house always seemed to be the intellectually and creatively motivated ones, usually at the sacrifice of social expectations. I find that this kind of passionate eccentricity is awesome! Also, hands down Luna Lovegood is the best. She’s out there somewhere IRL. Please call me. Send me an owl. Thanks.
What’s one thing from the Harry Potter you wish was real?
I probably wish the whole Harry Potter universe was real, but if there was one thing I could take out of it and claim, it’d be one of those Firebolt brooms. Can you imagine how easy it would be to get around on one of those?
come say hi and chat if you see me at a show or anything really. I’m just a muggle like everyone else.
Any final words for your fans?
I just want to say thank you so much for being the best fans ever and always supporting my music. So much has happened in the last two years and I owe it all to you guys for being able to do what I love. I can’t imagine asking for anything more than that. I really hope that you enjoy the EP and all the music that’s to come out! Please never hesitate to come say hi and chat if you see me at a show or anything really. I’m just a muggle like everyone else.
