Robert Owens and Gratts premiere & interview: “We are a match made in heaven”

Mark Hand’s ‘Today’ remix is here first, plus full interview

“We are a match made in heaven,” laughs house music legend, vocalist and artist Robert Owens of his collaborations with producer Tristan Jong, aka Gratts. 

If house music stands for hope, then artist Robert Owens is a dazzling beacon of positivity, a man whose voice is embedded within the heart of past, present and future dance music. Tracks with Frankie Knuckles, Larry Heard, Satoshie Tommie, David Morales and countless others have all been enhanced by Robert’s creative contributions. The production nous of Tristan as Gratts is the perfect foil for his vocals with their two collaborations to date – ‘Brighter Future’ and latest track ‘Today’ – skillfully drawing on Robert’s incredible heritage, then galvanising it with a fresh and contemporary production sheen. When speaking to the pair via video – Tristan in Australia and Robert from his adopted home of Berlin – it’s the vibrancy of their friendship that shines through. 

“What I liked about our first collaboration was how it wasn’t organised through management speaking to management,” says Tristan. “There was a real connection there that I think is more important than thinking about something strategically or just making career moves. It’s all about real relationships with people, it’s the only way I want to make my music.” 

“It’s a beautiful thing as I consider Tristan a real friend,” Robert continues. “It means our approach is different to many, it’s so organic and it’s a way I love to work.” 

Tristan is a Belgian-born DJ and producer currently based in Australia after eight years in the German capital. For the past two decades, he has been producing, DJing and digging for music, initially inspired by nineties UK dance music and its associated culture. Tristan cites first hearing the bleeps of dance music duo Orbital as a lightning strike moment of inspiration that lit a lifelong obsession. His relationship with Robert came at random, bumping into him while sipping on a coffee in Kreuzberg.

“I was a bit lost at the time, which is why I moved to Berlin,” says Tristan. “The music sucked me and a few friends into the city, and back in 2013, it was affordable, you could find a rental.” 

DJ and friend Toby Tobias was visiting to play Tristan’s Berlin party. The pair were enjoying a coffee the day after the night before when they recognised Robert walking down the street.

“This was the week that Robert had moved to Berlin, he didn’t know anyone and just walked right past us,” laughs Tristan. “Toby knew him from London, they’d met, so we chatted and struck up a friendship. He started coming to my parties and we became great friends.” 

It was in Berlin that the seeds of their relationship were sown but it wasn’t until after Tristan had moved to Australia in 2020 that he plucked up the courage to ask Robert to collaborate.  

“I was talking to Robert online all the time but I was really hesitant to share any music,” says Tristan. “I’m obviously very respectful of his musical legacy but in the end I sent him some ideas, he gave some great feedback and we started working together. One of the first things we put together was our track, ‘Brighter Future’.” 

Robert is an artist and vocalist known for his communal approach to his music. From his early days with Larry Heard in Fingers Inc, to more recent tracks with Coldcut and London Elektricity, he’s well-versed in establishing relationships with producers. Understandably for an emotive vocalist, he has to feel a bond with his co-creator.

“It either works or it doesn’t,” he says. “I listen to what a producer sends, I think about it, if I’ve met them, I get the thought of them into my head. I then react based on how I’m feeling.”

“A lot of my writing is based on emotion, on what I’ve absorbed from an individual, then I write my first thoughts. Hopefully, they’ll like what I’ve come up with – I have three strikes, then give up. But I’m lucky that a lot of talented artists such as Tristan are into what I write.”

The latest track ‘Today’ is the second collaboration between Tristan and Robert. Like ‘Brighter Future’, the track manages to balance a classic, almost nostalgic house sound with a fresh and contemporary feel. With the latter, Tristan already had the title which fitted in with Robert’s vibe and attitude. The follow up originally started as an instrumental before Tristan directed his creative compass back to Robert.

“I thought Robert would sound really nice with this track,” says Tristan. “His angelic, wonderful voice, there were some adlibs which I thought he would sound great on, and he did a vocal that I loved.” 

“Robert said how he wasn’t happy with it but I’d already started arranging and working on it. I just wrapped it up as I didn’t want to give it too much polish. It’s like a raw house track, and I think it sounds great.” 

The latest collaboration comes out of a dizzying workload for Robert who is constantly in the studio, collaborating with artists and developing his own personal projects, including his four-part album concept series, ‘Naked’. 

“I sometimes forget what I’ve been doing as I’m like a machine, working all the time,” says Robert. “People sometimes post tracks online that are six months old, even a year and it’s really refreshing – wow, I’ve not heard that for some time. It brings me back to it, and what I’m all about. I never know what’s going to happen with a track so I always like to keep moving forward.” 

As the voice of house music, and now past 60 years old, Robert is still pushing himself and working hard both in the studio and in the club. He has no secret to maintaining vocal health, other than striving to stay positive. 

“I’m very light hearted and easy going, everyday I wake up is a blessing and I count my blessings,” says Robert. “There are always challenges, bureaucracy and restraints but I find contacting people a lifeline. That’s worth all the other madness the industry can throw at you.”

Having thrived in the electronic industry since the mid-eighties, Robert has plenty of experiences under his belt. When he’s not in the studio, he’s performing at clubs across Europe with his calendar seeing future UK shows in Sheffield and Back to Basics in Leeds alongside Berlin dates in his adopted hometown. He strives to focus on being true to himself and this is his essential advice for aspiring dance music creators looking to follow in his footsteps. 

“Give from your heart,” Robert advises. “Remember, you are unique, no one else is out there is like you and can give what you can give. You should never worry about comparing yourself to anyone. Don’t be afraid to be you.”

With ‘Today’ out imminently, the pair are looking forward to a busy future with each other coming into their creative orbits. Tristan has new EPs on Canadian label Bienvenue and Lisbon’s Inner Balance, as well as forthcoming material with Robert. 

“I keep discovering Robert’s work which is so inspiring,” he says. “I’m also looking to start putting together my first LP for 2026 with tracks that go beyond house music. I’m excited about what happens next…” 

Jim Ottewill

To pre-order your copy of ‘Today’ on 12″ vinyl, expected out on October 28, click here