Division 4 (aka Robert Ladič) is a number one Billboard remixer, music producer and DJ from Sydney, Australia. He blends pop with electronic underground sounds and across multiple genres including house, nu disco and tech house. Here, BeefMince co-promoter and resident DJ Argyris speaks to Division ahead of May’s party this Friday night at the RVT.
Hello Rob, and welcome to London! Tell us about your musical influences over the years.
Hello! It’s great to be back here, especially because I love UK artists like The Beatles and George Michael. My influences stretch over to names like Giorgio Moroder, Shep Pettibone and Jellybean. I also love Ralphi Rosario, Todd Terry, Keri Chandler and Frankie Knuckles. Please feel free to stop me as I could carry on and on…
What is the first record you ever bought?
I am going to show my age now [laughs]. It was Wham! – Fantastic (1982).
And what is the last record you bought?
Jamiroquai – Automation. He has kept us waiting for a while, hasn’t he?
What is your most memorable club experience and why?
I played a wild gig in the Castro, San Francisco, back in 2010 during Halloween. It was a crazy time with 2,000 messy but wonderful people.
How did you get into DJing?
I got my very first gig back in 2006, while I was living in London, in fact. I’ve always wanted to do it, but because I wasn’t really known in Sydney I couldn’t catch a break. One night in Soho, at the Kings Arms, I met a guy called Mitch and it turned out he managed a bar in Kings Cross. He decided to take a chance on me and booked me.
Why the name Division 4? What happened to 3, 2 and 1?
[Laughs] The name Division 4 is the title of a 70s Australian television police drama series.
How would you describe your sound at the moment?
Somewhere between the world of commercial vocal house and the underground. I aim to blend pop music sensibilities with a more electronic vibe.
What is your favourite track right now?
On My Mind by the Disciples.
How did you get into producing music?
It’s the creative process that pulled me. I started making music back in 2000; it was all experimental back then. It wasn’t until 2006 that I took it seriously and attended studio engineering courses and learned how to use music software.
What inspires you to make your tracks?
Listening to a lot of music. I like to get inspiration from other people’s work and this is also why I produce so many remixes. When making my own tracks, an idea or melody will pop into my head. I quickly lay it down and then I build the other elements around it.
What are you working on at the moment?
My new single Faith is out (and available from Beatport). It is an uplifting and powerful vocal underground house track complete with classic Detroit-House inspired rhythms, powerful piano riffs and soaring strings all supporting a commanding and great male vocal. I am working on a couple of original tracks next that will be on my first album, released in the summer. And I’m also working on a couple of remixes too. The first one is a remix is for Beyonce’s cousin, Shanica Knowles and the second one is for 90s diva legend, Angie Brown.
Tell us something about you not very many people know.
I used to be a catalogue model for Victoria’s Secret [laughs].
What should we expect from you at BeefMince?
A lot of fun and sexy vocal house tracks. There will be a combination of classic retro hits along with some modern house tracks. Also, I will be showcasing a few Division 4 remixes exclusive to BeefMince. I have been checking out the pictures online and it looks like the place to be! I cannot wait to make my BeefMince debut.
BeefMince is on this Friday (19 May) from 10pm at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, 372 Kennington Lane, London, SE11 5HY.
Book tickets via beefmince.co.uk/tickets.
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