Rob Dougan

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Rob Dougan
Born 1969 Age 39
Sydney, Australia
Genre(s) Trip hop
Classical
Ambient
Label(s) Sony, BMG, Reprise, Warner Bros.
Website http://www.myspace.com/douganrob

Rob Dougan, also known as Rob D (born 1969 Sydney, Australia) is a genre-blending music composer. Mixing elements of orchestral music, trip hop, and bluesy vocals, his work is tangentially relatable to electronic music. He was known primarily for his breakthrough 1995 single "Clubbed to Death (Kurayamino variation)", popularised by 1999's The Matrix soundtrack. "Clubbed to Death" was released on his debut album Furious Angels in 2001, seven years after its initial release.

Contents

[edit] History

In 1990, Rob Dougan's friend Rollo brought him from Australia to London. From 1991 to 1995, "Rob D" was a DJ and remix artist. In 1994 his remixes started charting in the UK. He also released his first single, "Hard Times".

In 1995, his hit single "Clubbed to Death" gave him a recognised name in the UK dance club scene. He produced almost a dozen remixes of it, including the fan-favourite "Kurayamino Variation". His label Mo'Wax Records was so pleased they commissioned him the follow-up "Clubbed to Death 2" (later the bonus track on the album). CTD2 Initially appeared on the James Lavelle disc of the 1996 DJ mix compilation Cream Live 2.

"Furious Angels" was not released on Mowax but Dougan eventually released it as a single in 1998 with his new label Cheeky Records. Dougan toiled six more years, doing remixes and licensing his tracks, in order to self-produce the album exactly like he intended it: backed by a full orchestra and a full choir.

In 1999, his exposure increased dramatically when his "Clubbed To Death (Kurayamino Variation)" was featured on the soundtrack of The Matrix, but this hit remained 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 2003's Matrix sequel The Matrix Reloaded, Château and Kung Fu (A shortened version of "Furious Angels" made for "The Matrix Reloaded"). Also on The Matrix Reloaded DVD the background movie has the I'm Not Driving Anymore Instrumental soundtrack.

In 2002 in the UK, and 2003 in the rest of the world, he eventually released his debut album Furious Angels to critical acclaim[1] and some surprise from the new tone of his work, as well as from his own Leonard Cohen-esque gravel-voiced vocals. Later in 2003, a two-disc re-release of Furious Angels featured all-instrumental versions on the second disc.

In 2006, Dougan was currently writing "a couple of songs" for Sugababes, and working on two albums of his own — one original, one classical.[2]

As of April 27, 2008 Rob Dougan is mentioned in a wine blog as an owner of a wine vineyard La Peira En Damaisela, leaving numerous questions about the supposedly 2 albums he's been working on. [3]
Rob Dougan "Will You Follow Me" (2002)
23 second clip of Will You Follow Me. This song was used on (jewelry and car) commercials in the USA. Rob's Modern Classical style.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.
Rob Dougan "Clubbed To Death (Kurayamino Mix)" (1996)
A 35 second clip. This track was used in The Matrix and for the trailer of Ultraviolet. This clip shows Rob Dougan's Trip hop style.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

  • (2002) Furious Angels
    • 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 want to hear the pieces in the fashion they were used on movies like Driven and the Matrix trilogy).

[edit] Singles, EPs

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

[edit] Selected songs showcasing style

"Clubbed to Death (Kurayamino variation)" 
The classic featuring big beats and orchestral themes. Used in The Matrix "Woman In The Red Dress" Morpheus-Neo training sequence. The strings at the beginning of the "Kurayamino Variation" mix are adapted from Enigma Variations, a popular piece by British composer Edward Elgar. The opening string figure of the Jupiter movement from Gustav Holst's The Planets is also sampled throughout this song. Both these examples demonstrate a strong 20th century classical influence.
"I'm Not Driving Anymore" 
Instrumental and vocal versions. From Furious Angels album, appeared in Driven, a movie about racing. Instrumental version was used in the trailer for The Matrix Reloaded. Instrumental version was also used as the theme for Law & Order in the UK. Also used in the opening video montage of the New York Knicks for the 2006-2007 NBA season. The drum beat in the both the vocal and instrumental versions of the song is the opening drumbeat sampled from When the Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin
"Furious Angels" 
Features big beats, strings and other orchestral overtones. From The Matrix Reloaded initial fight scene between Neo against several agents, to buy time for the other Zion captains and crew (such as Morpheus and Niobe) to escape. Quite similar in theme with "Château" below. The instrumental version of 'Furious Angels' also appears in the opening FMV sequence of Grand Prix 3.
"Château" 
Features beats, strings and brass. From The Matrix Reloaded fight scene of Neo against the Merovingian's henchmen. Also used as an unofficial song to introduce the highlights of the 2008 Summer Olympics in the UK. Fast pace, atmospheric, modern instrumental.
"Born Yesterday" 
Also from Furious Angels. Vocal version offers plaintive, powerful lyrics.
"Left Me for Dead" 
Again, from Furious Angels. 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. It uses samples from Frédéric Chopin's Prelude in E Minor.
"Will You Follow Me" and Instrumental 
From Furious Angels. Virtually all orchestral elements creating some romantic modern orchestra music. Used in the new Motorola Z8 advert. UK's ITV used it in a video with highlights of the 2008 Formula 1 World Champiomship, the mix of high notes and racing moments is simply beautifull a must see.
"There's Only Me" 
Instrumental and vocal versions. From "Furious Angels". Used as the theme for Law & Order: Criminal Intent in the UK.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] General links

[edit] Fansites

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