Rob Dougan

Rob Dougan is a genre-blending music composer mixing the sound of orchestral film music, the beat of club Trip Hop, and bluesy vocals, only tangentially relatable to electronic music. Known primarily for his breakthrough single "Clubbed To Death (kurayamino mix)", it wasn't until 2002 that he released in the UK his first album: "Furious Angels". He was born ca. 1965 in Sydney, Australia and moved to London, UK ca. 1990.

" I'm associated with dance music, with electronica, which makes me feel ill. I only learnt all the boring computer crap as a means to an end. Virtually all musicians these days use computers, but if you write a book on a computer, nobody calls it electronic writing; the format you use doesn't necessarily affect the outcome. " (Rob Dougan) [1]

History

Ca. 1990, his friend Rollo brings Rob Dougan from Australia to London. From 1991 to 1995, "Rob D" is a DJ and remix artist. In 1994 his remixes start charting in the UK. He also releases his first own single, "Hard Times".

In 1995, his hit single "Clubbed To Death" gives him a recognized name in the UK dance club scene. He'll produce almost a dozen of remixes of it, including the favourite "kurayamino mix". His label is so pleased they commission him the follow-up "Clubbed to Death 2" (later the bonus track on the album).

But in 1996, his new track "Furious Angels", which should have heralded his first album, doesn't please his old label Mo'Wax; Dougan will eventually release it as a single in 1998 with his new label Cheeky, just a few months before Cheeky goes bankrupt, stopping the production on the album that was about to be released. Dougan will toil six more years, doing remixes and licensing his tracks, in order to self-produce the album exactly like he intends it: backed by a full orchestra and a full choir.

In 1999, his exposure increases dramatically when his "Clubbed To Death (kurayamino mix)" is featured on the soundtrack of The Matrix, but this hit remains the only public face of then "Rob D". He has also provided remixes of songs by U2, Moby and Kylie Minogue, and contributed two more tracks to the soundtrack of the 2003's Matrix sequel The Matrix Reloaded.

In 2002 in the UK and 2003 in the rest of the world, he eventually releases his Furious Angels album to mixed responses [2], and some surprise from the new tone of his work, as well as from his own Leonard Cohenesque gravel-voiced vocals. Later in 2003, a two-disc re-release of Furious Angels features all-instrumental versions on the second disc.

Dougan's music is difficult to pin down into a single genre. He obviously composes with a significant dance club-influenced beat, but with major symphonic elements such as full-sized string orchestras, and his own, rough, alternative-rock-like lyrics. When asked, Rob Dougan's usual response is that the album is "antigenre".

Discography

Albums

• Furious Angels (2002,2003)
  • 1-CD (14 tracks) on the basic edition.
  • 1-CD (15 tracks) on the UK edition (bonus "Clubbed to Death 2")
  • 2-CD (15+10 tracks) on the 2003 re-release (the second disc provides the instrumental versions of the first disc, for those who disliked Dougan's gravelly voice).

Singles, EPs

• "Hard Times" (1995,...) Single, various remixes.
• "Clubbed to Death" (1995,...) Single, tons of variant EPs ranging from 2 to 8 remixes.
• "Furious Angels" (1998,...) Single, tons of variant EPs ranging from 2 to 7 remixes.
• The Matrix OST (1999) has "Clubbed to Death (kurayamino mix)" credited to his then DJ alias "Rob D".
• The Matrix Reloaded OST (2003) has "Furious Angels [instrumental]" and "Chateau" (an original track).

Selected Songs Showcasing Style

• "I'm Not Driving Anymore" (instrumental and vocal versions. From Furious Angels album)
• "Chateau" (features beats, strings, and brass. From The Matrix Reloaded fight scene of Neo against the Merovingian's henchmen. Fast pace, atmospheric, modern instrumental)
• "Born Yesterday" (also from Furious Angels album. Vocal version offers plaintive, powerful lyrics)
• "Left Me for Dead" (Furious Angels album. Vocal version poses some angry lyrics alongside strings and deep bass beats)
• "Clubbed to Death 2" (Furious Angels exclusive track. A more driving version than the 1 counterpart)
• "Will You Follow Me", & Instrumental (Furious Angels. Virtually all orchestral elements creating some romantic modern orchestra music)

See also

• Matrix series: The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, & The Matrix Revolutions

External links

• Rob Dougan.com – The official Rob Dougan website.
• Rob Dougan.net – The Rob Dougan fansite: blognews, bio, discog, etc.
• RDON: Rob Dougan Online Network – Links hub for Dougan-related websites.
• Guardian's 2003 article – Good overview, many useful quotes.
• IGN's 2003 interview – All about his involvement with the Matrix series's soundtracks.
• Rob Dougan Compact Disc – Up-to-date illustrated Rob Dougan discography.
• iDougan.com – Fansite with useful info, but stopped in 2003.
• (fr) RobDougan.info – Useful fansite in French, but stopped in 2003.
• Rob Dougan in films, TV, etc. – Illustrated list of the uses of Dougan's music. [English section of a larger Japanese fansite]