“. . . a more dynamic electronic experience . . . The one-man electro-band’s debut, Just Movement, is an energy flash that’s part folky confessional, part computer junkyard jam session.”
–Kerri Mason, Billboard
Tapped as a ‘2013 Artist To Watch’ by the likes of MTV, Billboard and VIBE, DELONG has been generating a strong buzz with “Global Concepts,” the first single from JUST MOVEMENT. Its video made its debut across many various MTV channels including AMTV, MTV Hits, mtvU, MTV.com, MTV.com/music and mtvU.com. At radio, “Global Concepts” was first heard on the airwaves of WEQX/Albany, KROQ/Los Angeles Locals Only, 98.7′s Close to Home and KCRW over the summer of 2012. Since then, the single has gained great momentum making SiriusXM Alt Nations Top 18 Countdown, #8 on WEQX’s Best of 2012, now amongst the Top 5 most played at KNDD/Seattle, support from Live 105/San Francisco and much more. Overseas, “Global Concepts” had continued to gain support on Triple J in Australia and it is also being played on XFM and BBC1 Radio, where it was named Zane Lowe’s “Next Hypetrack.”
The album itself showcases DELONG as a profoundly gifted singer/songwriter who raises questions about identity and spirituality. Those two elements join together on Just Movement, a dazzling collection of dance beats, pop hooks and thought-provoking musings that could very well be the soundtrack for 2013.
“The whole album is sort of a thesis statement for my philosophy,” says the Los Angeleno via Seattle who wrote, produced, mixed and performed the entire album himself. What is that philosophy? “The first song [‘Just Movement’] is the most basic kind of thesis statement,” he explains. “For me, when you strip away all the human moral elements of a person, you’re left with the fact everything is just moving, the whole universe is vibrating in different ways, moving around. Then the rest of the album is trying to figure out what to do with that and it’s kind of a play on words too. ‘Just Movement’ is not only about the philosophical idea, but also ‘Just Movement,’ the idea of dance, that’s kind of the primal response to music.”
On the live front, DELONG is a one-man band who uses MIDI interfaces, a full drum set, guitar, drum pads, keyboards, laptops and game controllers, looping his music live to fuse electronic dance beats with striking melodies and lyrics with emotional heart. His charismatic live performance has caught the attention of many influential promoters, landing him performance slots at such major festivals as Ultra Music Festival, Coachella, Governors Ball, SXSW and Popscene SF this spring.
Blackbook 02.05.13
Robert DeLong is an EDM Artist on the Rise. Seriously, though, this whiz kid’s got the chops and multitasks better than the best of us—in front of an audience, no less. He’s a one-man-band who sings, drums, and fiddles with game controllers and keyboards, sometimes going so far as to incorporate guitar, too. His live set is something to behold, a sweaty mid-twenties talent, hair slicked down in an exaggerated comb-over, putting every effort into churning out original numbers while keeping the beat.
ASCAP 02.05.13
Robert DeLong on Just Movement. “The album was born amidst that sort of existential freedom that comes with starting a new period of life – it was philosophical open season for me, and I was throwing away a lot of ideas I felt were no longer helpful, while trying on new ways of thinking (and watching a lot of TED Talks). In doing so I opened myself to the concept of the “pop song” as an effective means of communicating musical and lyrical elements succinctly with the listener.”
AllMusic 02.05.13
‘Just Movement’ Review. Ultimately, Just Movement proves DeLong to be an immensely creative songwriter with as much a talent for critical self-reflection as laying down booty-shaking beats.
Artist Direct 12.11.12
Robert DeLong Talks “Just Movement”. DeLong manages to make danceable anthems with a little bit of rock ‘n’ roll swagger thrown in for a good measure, and even a Wii remote that he rocks on stage. You’ve never seen or heard anyone like him.
SSG music 11.20.12
Live Review. . . started off the night by taking a sound sample of the audience cheering and looping that to contribute to his first beat.
Colorado Music Buzz 11.09.12
At the Ogden Theatre. But DeLong is not merely a technophile with digital native genes that bequeathed him access to 21st century music-making methods—the kid’s mastery of sticks is something magical.
KICK KICK SNARE 10.10.12
At Mercury Lounge. Simply put, Robert’s the type of artist whose music takes over a room.
