Rosbeh: From classical training to electronic innovation
Rosbeh is an Iranian-German producer and classically trained pianist based in Ibiza. He has been steadily gaining recognition since self-releasing his first EP in 2017, ‘Journey In My Head.’ With over 30 million streams across his discography, Rosbeh is self-taught and, until recently, self-promoted.
Photo credit: Rosbeh – Official
Rosbeh’s music blends various musical and cultural styles and influences. His recently released album, ‘Fortunate Day,’ spans classic and techno, ambient, and breakbeats, with his Persian heritage evident throughout.
In this interview, Rosbeh opens up about the challenging but necessary experiences of the past few months, his excitement over the feedback for his latest single ‘Gaze Up,’ and the emotional and seasonal considerations behind its release.
He also shares insights into his creative process for his debut album and the influence of his classical training on his transition to electronic music. Looking ahead, Rosbeh discusses his aspirations for live performances and his evolving plans for the future.
EG: Hi, Rosbeh! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?
Rosbeh: Hey EG, thank you for having me! Honestly, life’s been challenging the past few months, but in retrospect, it was necessary and good. I’ve been living in Ibiza for the past two years and am currently back in Hamburg.
EG: First of all, congratulations on the release of your latest single, ‘Gaze Up’! You must be very excited to share this one. What has the initial reception been like so far?
Rosbeh: Thank you! Yes, I’m so excited to have this one released. The feedback has been beautiful; I’m receiving messages from fans who tell me they’ve had ‘Gaze Up’ on repeat. It’s always wonderful to hear that. During the process of making a song, I listen to it so many times, like countless times, that eventually, I can lose focus on the track because I hear it with different ears. Having the release and getting feedback from others is refreshing and affirming.
EG: So, what’s ‘Gaze Up’ all about? What can your fans expect to find on this one?
Rosbeh: ‘Gaze Up’ is all about freeing yourself from things that no longer serve you in order to grow. I really love the vibe of the song. I remember when I started the project, I called it the ‘bouncy demo,’ which perfectly captures the song’s energetic and uplifting vibe.
EG: As we know, ‘Gaze Up’ follows up on the releases of ‘Eternity’, ‘You And I’ and ‘Music Taught Me Life’ as the fourth glimpse at what will be your much-anticipated debut LP, ‘Fortunate Day’. Why did you decide to go with these cuts on the ramp up to the full release?
Rosbeh: The decisions had two components that were important to me: the time/season and the emotion connected to the songs. As the very first single to present from the album, I wanted to go for the most “beautiful” vibe and least dance-oriented track to show that my album isn’t just about electronic dance tracks. Releasing it in winter was perfect, as it’s the ideal season to start with something that sounds cozy and hugs your ears. After that, ‘You & I’ would start with a slow electronic track that’s still moody enough for February. ‘Music Taught Me Life’ would be the peak of my single releases with all the different elements in that song, and to round it up, I thought I’d release the “bounciest” track from the album – ‘Gaze Up’
“‘Gaze Up’ is all about freeing yourself from things that no longer serve you in order to grow”
EG: What about ‘Fortunate Day’? What can you anticipate on that front? Did you set out to write an album, or was it something that took shape on its own?
Rosbeh: Working on my first album was always a dream for me as a musician. I set this goal two years ago, and it gradually took shape over time. Initially, I struggled with the creative process because every time I sat down in the studio with the intention of producing a track for the album, I felt blocked by expectations and the pressure for it to be “good enough.”
To overcome this, I changed my mindset and decided to focus on making songs I genuinely enjoyed. I trusted that once I had a collection of tracks, I would be able to identify which ones belonged on the album. This approach not only alleviated the pressure but also allowed me to create more freely. In retrospect, waiting to finalize the album was crucial. Many songs were produced recently, and some of the artists featured were people I met along the way. For instance, I met the singer Al Fredo at a party last year, and he became part of ‘Rhythm of Life.’ I produced ‘Eternity’ just last October. This experience taught me the importance of allowing time to pass in order to grow both my knowledge and my musical catalog in a meaningful way.
EG: Coming from a classically trained background, when did your world collide with electronic dance music? Did it take you long to find this eclectic voice of yours?
Rosbeh: As a teenager, I loved electronic dance music, thanks to my older sister. However, I never considered making it myself because I envisioned a future as a concert pianist. My world first collided with electronic music when I discovered synthesizers. At 18 or 19, I was in a music store and sat in front of a Korg Minilogue. Until that moment, I had no idea how those electronic sounds were made. It was fascinating and opened up a completely new world to me. I bought the Korg Minilogue as my first synthesizer, and from then on, it was all about practice— learning about synthesizers, music production, and how to create certain sounds. Being a musician is one thing, but translating ideas into a DAW is something entirely different. It takes time and lots of practice to reach a point where the ideas in your head can be easily translated into a program.
EG: Regarding AI, which seems to be such a hot topic these days…What’s your stance on this? Has any form of AI been used in ‘Fortunate Day’?
Rosbeh: Everything in this world can be used for good or bad. I neither hate nor love AI; it’s simply a tool. When used for the benefit of humanity, it can be beautiful. However, when misused for money, power, and control, it’s something I cannot support. I haven’t used AI in ‘Fortunate Day.’
“As a teenager, I loved electronic dance music, thanks to my older sister. However, I never considered making it myself because I envisioned a future as a concert pianist”
EG: Finally, what can we expect from Rosbeh in the next months? Where can your fans catch you playing live? Will you have live shows to promote ‘Fortunate Day’?
Rosbeh: Honestly, I don’t even know what to expect from myself in the next months. Nothing is set in stone yet, but my goal is to create a live show to perform my songs on stage. When, where, and how this will happen – only time will tell. I’m excited to see all the beautiful things that will unfold.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Rosbeh! We wish you all the best for the future. Take care!
Rosbeh: Thank you so much, it was a pleasure. Much love and I wish you all a fortunate day!
Rosbeh’s ‘Fortunate Day’ is now available on Good Company. Stream and download here.
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