Rob Tirea’s latest single, “Thoughts of You,” exemplifies what we love most about electronic music—it gets under your skin, touches your heart, and lets you dream, escape, and dance. The track invites you to drift away in its beats, while the refrain, paired with evocative vocals, leaves a lasting impression. The inspiration behind the song is a conversation between Rob’s younger self and his current self, reflecting a universal desire: the wish to have had the wisdom of your older self at a younger age. It’s a feeling many can relate to—the longing to have made different decisions or led a better life if only you had known then what you know now. “Thoughts of You” invites listeners on this reflective journey, offering both introspection and the irresistible urge to move to the music.
As a Los Angeles-based producer, songwriter, and artist, Rob Tirea is known for his deeply personal and self-examining approach to music. Reflecting on his creative process, Rob shared, “It allows me to explore and write more introspective music, and I can use my voice to reflect on the sentiments that make life beautiful—the rejection, the growth, and the poetry of life through my most personal lens.” This quote perfectly summarizes how he channels his personal experiences and emotions into his work, using his music to explore the beauty and complexity of life. This is also represented in his hybrid live shows, where he blends club rhythms with soul-stirring lyrics for an amazing live music experience, already showcased at venues like the Moroccan Lounge in Los Angeles and Elsewhere in Brooklyn.
In our exclusive interview, we discuss Rob’s creative process, his unique hybrid live show, and his vision for the future of electronic music.
header photo by Anneka Mia
Hey Rob! I love your new track “Thoughts of You”! It’s deep, catchy, and emotive. While it touches on various themes, I personally interpret it as having a romantic undertone. What inspired the song’s creation, and is there a personal story behind it?
It’s actually a conversation I’m having with my younger self. I was a very shy and understated person in high school and it’s a conversation between my current and younger self.
How did the creative process for “Thoughts of You” differ from your previous singles? Were there any new techniques or approaches you experimented with?
Originally the vocals were for another song but I realized this instrumental was in a similar key and fit like a glove. Never really happens that way for me.
With themes like ego and self-doubt appearing in your work, do you see your music as a form of self-reflection or even self-therapy?
I’d say both. Self-reflection is therapeutic for me. The song is essentially about my older self wishing they would have been able to impart wisdom on my younger self.
“Self-reflection is therapeutic for me. The song is essentially about my older self wishing they would have been able to impart wisdom on my younger self.”
Your hybrid live show blends visuals, music, and emotion. How does the hybrid format allow you to express different aspects of your artistry compared to a traditional live performance?
It allows me to explore and write more introspective music and I can use my voice to reflect on the sentiments that make life beautiful, the rejection, the growth, and the poetry of life through my most personal lens.
As someone who’s deeply involved in both the creative and technical sides of music, how do you stay inspired and avoid creative burnout?
I just sit down every day and try to create. I don’t really force anything and try to capture the energy of the day in musical form. Sometimes what I made that day deserves a one way trip to the trash but hey that’s how anything artistic goes.
“Create and know that it was the absolute best you could do today, and perhaps tomorrow might be better or worse! The beauty of life.”
Can you share a moment in your career that significantly changed your perspective on music or your approach to creating it?
I try not to put too much pressure on any single day when it comes to making music. I heard one of the Disclosure guys talk about how they were doubtful about putting out one of their albums but they ultimately ended up on the conclusion of “This was the absolute best we could do at this moment.” I try to think that way on a daily basis. Create and know that it was the absolute best you could do today and perhaps tomorrow might be better or worse! The beauty of life.
With half of the year already behind us, what are your expectations and goals for the remainder of 2024?
I’d like to tour more extensively across North America and put out my next EP!
The most important thing in life is?
Fame and world domination! Kidding. Obviously health and well-being. Can’t explore your passions and give love to others if you aren’t healthy.
Follow Rob Tirea for more:
www.instagram.com/robtirea
www.facebook.com/RobTirea
twitter.com/thisisrobtirea
