Here at pointblank, we pride ourselves on the success of our students. We’re honestly quite spoiled when it comes to student success stories. This time around, we’re shinning the spotlight on pointblank L.A. Alum, Robyn Balliet. After her time attending pointblank back in 2020 Robyn is a recognized DJ and producer both here in L.A. and across the globe. She is an inspiration for pointblank students and aspiring musicians everywhere.
Join us as we dive into her journey of getting to pointblank, her recent performance at ESCAPE, and some helpful insight on how you can follow in her footsteps with pointblank L.A.’s DJ and music production courses!
Tell us about yourself and what started your journey.
“Kind of a silly story, but when I was a young teenager in the 90’s (and now I’m obviously aging myself lol), I discovered my passion to become an electronic music artist after watching the movie ‘Hackers.’ The soundtrack resonated with me, and I became super fascinated with the artists on the film score and that whole European vibe. The track “Halycyon & On & On” by Orbital was what changed me forever and was my first “true love” experience with that kind of music. I plan to do an edit of that beautiful track as it for sure changed my life!
I grew up in my teenage years in Michigan, and my circle of friends were deeply involved in music, particularly in punk rock and emo punk bands, straight edge bands and many of them still are to this day. Back then in the 90’s one of my closest friends also owned some of the most iconic dance clubs in Detroit. Many nights of sneaking out of my house to obsess over my love for the music scene led to a ton of conflicts with my parents, who couldn’t fully grasp my love for music and my eventual professional pursuit of it.
Detroit has a significant influence on music, with so many contributions to various genres. Motown sound, it’s the birthplace of techno music, its jazz and blues vibes, hip-hop, and its impact on rock and of course, punk rock so I was influenced by so much great music in my childhood along with growing up during the 90s when the music was the best!
How did you know you wanted to study music?
“I always had a desire to study music, but I also understood the need to make a living. I was a successful entrepreneur involved in real estate and later started a digital and social media marketing agency. But when I moved to LA, I realized that it was time to pursue my dream of becoming an artist. It was a challenging decision because my marketing agency was thriving, so I initially enrolled at a different music school but then had to make the tough choice to prioritize money over my passion and put music education on hold.
I went on building my business for about 10-11 years and It wasn’t until after my father passed away that I decided to enroll at pointblank for not only DJing but also Music Production.” – Robyn Balliet
How did you find pointblank?
“So, after my dad passed away, I was like, “you know, it’s time…I’m gonna finally get into this because I’m getting older. Time is so short. I’m just working, and I love my career, but it’s time to really go after what I’m passionate about, which is music.” So, I checked out pointblank, and everything that I read about it, seemed to be just a better fit for me over anywhere else. The school has a reputation as one of the best for electronic music artists and producers, so I went ahead and enrolled and had an incredible experience.
The director of the school, Jay, was a great influence and provided valuable support throughout my time there…It’s funny, because I remember sitting in the school talking to him, and you know how it is, when you’re new, you’re asking all these corny questions. He was the best, always so encouraging and that was really comforting. I loved that dynamic…and then the experience, I mean, the teachers are incredible, they choose the very best of the best. And I’m actually still very close with several of the instructors, notably (DJ Shan Lynn who really is the one that taught me how to DJ, and then all of the producers and production classes were also just as incredible. A very talented group of people that truly love to help others. The whole experience was amazing.” – Robyn Balliet
After you left point blank, where did you begin and what have you learned along the way?
“What’s so ironic is that when I was in music school, I didn’t know anything about “the scene” here in L.A. I had always been working and focused on my business. But me being an entrepreneur, I just got out there and positioned myself properly. I started meeting the right people, meeting other artists, and that’s really where it began. Finding a community is one of the most important things…especially here in LA, because it’s so dense in terms of who’s an artist, everybody’s a “DJ.” So, it’s a lot of who you know, and who you’re hanging out with, and being at the right place at the right time. And there is so much luck that is involved with this believe it or not! So, I positioned myself not on purpose, but just was really kind of in the right places energetically. There are many other aspects to this that if the students are really going to take it seriously, they need to treat it like a business.
I go to all these events, and I’m sober…because people are watching you, especially the people that are top tier. They know when you’re partying, and most of us all know we have our moments of a couple drinks and getting together with no judgment, but when you’re in these atmospheres, if you want to be taken seriously, you must stay sober. By making sound decisions, you can carry yourself better, you’re going to remember things. Have a good time, but do that in the right place, right time…again you have to treat it like a business.” – Robyn Balliet
How would you describe your style?
“I draw most of my influence from Europe so I would say Deep house, Deep Tech, and European Tech House, and some Progressive House depending. I am personally dedicated to introducing American listeners to the Deep House sound. Deep House originated in Chicago in the 80s, and even though it originated in the United States first; it has gained most of its popularity in Europe, particularly in countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK. This is due to Europe’s vibrant electronic music culture, well-established club scene, and extensive media exposure.
In the United States, there has been more emphasis on genres like EDM, hip-hop/rap, pop, and rock/alternative, leaving Deep House somewhat overlooked. But in my opinion, the true trendsetters in the electronic music scene can be found in Europe. I believe as artists, it is our responsibility to educate listeners and just like anything else (we tend to be a bit behind trend-wise lol), I firmly believe that Deep House is the next genre at the forefront of the music industry here in the US. It’s groovy, beautiful, and timeless, with its own sense of swag. I know once it makes its way here; it won’t be just a fad it will be here to stay.” – Robyn Balliet
Tell us about what it was like to open at ESCAPE Halloween?
“I feel very lucky being the opening act on a lineup with the best artists in the world. It may not always attract a huge crowd early on, but it is still an achievement I am very blessed to have and proud of. Again – it’s that luck factor.
Opening is a humbling experience, as it requires earning your place and proving yourself as a talented artist. As the opener, there is a certain level of respect and responsibility in setting the tone for the rest of the night and preparing the audience for the rest of the artists. It is important to showcase your talent and skills but also be considerate and classy, because it absolutely leaves a lasting impression on promoters.” – Robyn Balliet
Talk to us about collaborating with others.
“Surrounding yourself with passionate, like-minded individuals is essential for a thriving music career. Collaborating with artists, bouncing ideas back and forth, and sharing unreleased music creates a supportive environment where everyone benefits. It’s crucial to avoid a competitive mindset, particularly as a woman in the industry. Instead, working together, promoting each other, and cross-promoting can greatly advance your career.
I’m currently working on starting a label with two artists I just collaborated with on my recent EP called ‘Solitude’ which is Hardy Heller’s label and it’s called Ohral Recordings. It’s a Germany based label and their names are Gorge; real name is Peter Waldmann, nickname is “Pit.” And then Markus Homm but these guys they’ve been DJing and producing for 20 years and they’re both incredible.
I’ve always been a fan of their music and Gorge actually signed my first EP ‘Torio’ to his and his partner Nick Curly’s label. It’s called 8Bit Records. Nick Curly if you’re not already familiar with him is another legend and for sure. But the guys came to me recently and asked me if I’d be interested in partnering up with them and starting a label here in the States. So, we’re currently working on the finetune details. I have to come up with a name, but we definitely plan on hitting the ground running. And once it’s official we plan to start releasing within the next few months so I’m very excited about that project!
“From our ‘Solitude’ EP Gorge and my track, ‘Just a Dream’ was at #5 on the Beatport Top 100 chart first week, and Markus and my track ‘Out in The Rain’ at #18 and we are on several other Hype Charts and overall releases so that is also super exciting.” – Robyn Balliet
What are some things you would like to pass on to the next generation of DJs?
“One misconception in the industry is that you need to be the very best producer or DJ to succeed and right away. While skills are important, success also relies on other factors like networking, knowing the right people, relationships and making wise song selections. I spend so much time hunting for new music. Also having incredible organization and networking skills. It’s not necessary to obsess over becoming a master producer overnight; it takes A LOT of time. Collaborating with more experienced producers can accelerate progress and bring complementary strengths together. As it’s important to develop skills and learn the craft, it is also beneficial to collaborate with friends and industry veterans to receive support and knowledge. Ask for help – leave your ego out of it. We all have to start somewhere so learn from those that are already succeeding if you have the chance to!
And places like pointblank can provide valuable education in the fundamentals of production, but it is not necessary to know everything, and it is important to be consistent in producing music and collaborating with others to get ahead.” – Robyn Balliet
What’s next? Are there any interesting projects (personal or professional) you’re working on or upcoming shows that you can tell us about?
“I successfully achieved my goal of securing music agency representation, and I was fortunate enough to be picked up by a second agency for North American representation, which has me incredibly excited. Having their assistance moving forward is a great opportunity for my career. It truly takes a team to make this work!
I have some exciting releases coming up. One of them is a collaborative project with LP Giobbi’s “Femme House” on Insomniac Records. The track, titled “On Fleet,” is set to be released on March 1st, 2024.
I also have another EP titled “Reflections” scheduled for release on March 29th, which will be released under Deepalma Records. The EP features two tracks, “Regret” and “Bagatelle,” and I know it’s going to be a beautiful release.
In between these releases, I also have a potential remix in the works. Moreover, I am currently working on another EP set to be released on May 24th, which coincidentally falls on my birthday week – May 28th. This EP will be released under 8Bit, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it. That label is top brass!
And there will be more exciting releases to come in the second half of the year.” – Robyn Balliet
“Torio” & “Higher”
Links: Spotify / SoundCloud / Instagram
“My Heart”
Links: Spotify / SoundCloud / Instagram
“Unbound”
Links: Spotify / SoundCloud / Instagram
Links: Spotify / SoundCloud / Instagram
“Out in The Rain”
Links: Spotify /SoundCloud /Instagram /
“On Fleet”
Links: Spotify/SoundCloud/Instagram
“Regret” from my EP “Reflections”
Links: Spotify/SoundCloud/Instagram
“Reflections” EP
Robyn is a prime example of what can be achieved when talent meets dedication. Her incredible performances and success serve as an inspiration to aspiring musicians around the globe. Whether you dream of gracing the stage at major festivals or producing chart-topping hits, pointblank L.A.’s DJ and music production courses can help you turn your passion into a reality. So, why wait? Take the plunge, explore your potential, and embark on a journey that can lead you to greatness.
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