Justin Robertson's tastes have always been catholic though in 2011 you would be hard pushed to find a musician working successfully in areas as diverse as dancehall, house and art pop. Justin is a true modernist: he excels as a DJ of international repute; is a creator of bespoke acid house; a remixer for the likes of Steve Mason, The Mystery Jets, Radio 4, Bjork,The Whip ,Cherry Ghost and Felix Da Housecat and, has co-written an album with studio boffin Gez Dewar under the name Thee Earls,and most recently is enjoying great success and a new generation of admirers with his latest moniker The Deadstock 33s.
The Deasdtock 33s provide a perfect marriage of psychedelic disco, proto house ,intriguing songs and fresh production all with a visceral live feel.The Deadstock 33s have certainly added a refreshing new dimension to the dancefloor, with acclaimed remixes for Erol Alkan, Boysnoize, Stopmakingme, The Mystery Jets, Shadowdancer, Steve Mason and In Flagranti to name but a few, The Deadstock 33s are getting plays from the worlds top cutting edge Djs and a re truly in the accent ! The next few months will see the release of an exciting collaboration with Stopmakingme coming out on Fatboy Slim's Southern Fried , a series of eps including some for Justin's new label ''solitary cyclist'' an ep for 'is it Balearic' and an album in the offing its going to be a big year!
Justin’s lineage through music has taken many twists and turns. He began as a DJ in Manchester and his early 90s clubs - Spice and Most Excellent - were hugely influential and cornerstones of the burgeoning dance movement. The Chemical Brothers, then students in the city, cited him as their mentor. His Rebellious Jukebox club - also in Manchester - pre-empted the Heavenly Social and the mid 90s trend for mish-mashing musical styles. In the 90s Justin generally operated under various nom de stages, the most renowned being Lionrock with whom he scored several Top 40s hits - 'Rudeboy Rock' and 'Packet Of Peace' among them - and appeared on Top Of The Pops in a dashing purple suit opting for gramophones over Technics. Songs were plucked from the albums Instinct For Detection and City Delirious for the films Go and City Of Industry and Lionrock shared the stage with acts as diverse as Death In Vegas, The Chemical Brothers and the Cocteau Twins.
It wasn't until 2001 that Justin stepped out under his own name releasing house and techno like 'Have Mercy' for the Bugged Out imprint. In 2001 he recorded his most critically acclaimed project to date Justin Robertson presents Revtone which brought primitive house and new wave disco into the digital age. Originally on Nuphonic the best tracks came out through Bugged Out, with 'Love Movement' - remixed by Ulrich Schnauss who cited Justin's early work as an influence - being placed second best single of 2003 by Jockey Slut magazine. Contemporaries Black Strobe, Chicken Lips and Kiki also remixed Revtone tracks.
For someone with such diverse tastes it should have come as no surprise to anyone when Justin began recording and singing with a guitar. He has been writing songs since his school days and played electric guitar in Lionrock. 2004’s 'Twisted and Torn' (released on Slut Smalls) reflected his love for singer songwriters like Gram Parsons ,Neil Young and Nick Drake. In the same year he also wrote a song with Tim Burgess and Rob Playford called 'Yes It Is’. It became one of the most requested songs on Sean Rowley’s BBC London show and came out on Justin’s Blister Ballads 7” label in the fall of 2006.Justin continues his successful song-writing carrier with songs on Norman Cooks new album . As a man as reknowned for his reggae collection as his electronica Justin was an obvious choice for Wall of Sound's Two Culture Clash album project. He recorded in Jamaica in 2005 at the legendary Gee Jam studios with the lovers rock of 'Save Me' - featuring guitarist Ernest Ranglin and Nadine Sutherland - the beautiful result.
As a DJ Justin plays a mix of techno and electronic house at clubs such as The Loft in Barcelona, Pacha in Buenos Aires, Bugged Out in Manchester, Roxy in Prague, Chibuku in Liverpool, Fabric in London, and at various clubs all over Europe and the rest of the world. He also plays more eclectic sets featuring his love of reggae, northern soul and pop at nights like Sunday Best.
Justin will continue to wear several hats, metaphorical as well as some stylish real ones!
