Alibi - Time To Roll Out

ALIBI -TIME TO ROLL OUT

Since first appearing on V Recordings in 2011 under the DJ Chap alias, Alibi has reshaped expectations of Brazilian drum & bass with a harder, more technical sound than traditionally expected from the land of samba and sunshine.

Following his politically charged, sonically uncompromising ‘Forged’ EP for V Recordings last year and a scene-shaking remix of ‘Headshot' by D&B king Break, Alibi returns to V Recordings with another perfectly primed piece of sonic artistry; ‘Roll Out’.

Now based in Vienna, Austria, we caught up with Alibi ahead of a busy year of gigs, festivals, and, of course, music, to discuss his journey so far, his creative ethos, and how he’s overcome imposter syndrome.

FROM DUO TO SOLO

“These days, it’s just me,” Alibi begins with a smile, reflecting on his evolution from working as a duo with his good friend Level 2 to now flying solo. As he explains: parting ways in 2022 wasn’t a break-up but a turning point that enabled them both to grow independently.

“I think splitting was the best decision for both of us; our friendship and our professional relationship are really good.”

Since going solo, Alibi has doubled his responsibilities, continuing to produce his own tracks while also managing the mastering process for releases on the V Recordings family of labels.

“I do the mastering for a lot of the tracks that come out on V. I’m a technical guy - sound isn’t just vibes; it’s pressure, experience. I want tracks to feel right, but I also want my music to tell a story or make a statement.”

CRAFTING MEANING

At first listen, this philosophy might seem at odds with his rave-ready latest single, ‘Roll Out’, which Alibi describes as “pure dancefloor energy.” In fact, the track represents the final part of an important story for the producer - a cathartic forward step from his previous release, the emotionally driven ‘Forged’ EP, created in objection to Brazil’s former far-right government.

“The ‘Forged EP’ was my protest; we were going through a hard moment in Brazil, so the whole EP was political. It was a difficult time, but now I feel we don’t have to worry as much, and ‘Roll Out’ is an expression of that - it’s about the dancefloor.

For me, every track must have meaning. I’m not like those young producers who drop a track every week! I think this focus on meaning became even more important when I went solo and grew more comfortable making music with a purpose.

“I love to create a series of releases where the artwork, the video, and the music all tell one cohesive story. But now, it’s time to roll out, let go, and just move.”

The artwork says it all: ‘Keep rolling’. No politics.”

REDEFINING BRAZILIAN D&B

While Brazilian drum & bass was once associated only with sun-soaked grooves and playful melodies, Alibi has helped change that perception. As an artist and producer, he prefers to lean into the shadows - drawing inspiration from his childhood growing up in the streets of the communities on the outskirts of São Paulo.

“You can’t separate groove from a Brazilian.”

“I like to go for the harder edge. S.P.Y., the Brazilian D&B legend, inspired that. We’ve got darkness in our DNA - the favelas, the struggle - but it’s still funk. Every Brazilian is born a percussionist.

Brazilian drum & bass isn’t just about samba or any one stereotype; there’s a dark side to Brazil, too.”

Alibi press shot

This deliberate blend of harder, darker beats with an almost innate sense of warmth and funk defines Alibi’s sound - and makes Bryan Gee’s V Recordings a natural home for it.

“Bryan is funk,” he agrees. “He radiates joy - and that’s the label’s soul. In the same way, V is all about the funk. Bryan is a happy person who enjoys life, and I think he channels that personality into the tracks he selects for the label.

And Bryan now gives me the freedom to release music on other labels and remix other artists. I’ve been with V since 2011, so I feel it’s time to spread my wings a bit - and he totally supports me, as long as I keep giving him music, too!”

COLLABORATIONS AND CREATIVE BREAKTHROUGHS

This creative freedom is already bearing sweet fruit. Alibi’s recent collaboration with S.P.Y. on Shogun Audio’s ‘This Is Goodbye’ is making serious waves, and he has a clutch of new music waiting in the wings for labels such as LSB’s Footnotes and S.P.Y.’s own label.

“I’m working with S.P.Y. on his Dark Matter label. We’ve done a couple of things together in the studio here in Vienna, and now it’s time to finish it all. He has so many good plans for the label - and I’m playing at a lot of Dark Matter nights this year, including some festivals. Every new project is a chance to experiment and grow.”

Without doubt, the highlight of his work outside of V has been his remix of ‘Headshot’ for legendary D&B producer Break.

“When Break invited me to do the remix, I almost fell from my chair,” he recalls with a laugh. “For about five days straight, I couldn’t leave the studio - it had to be perfect. Break is such a formidable artist and he’s always been a strong supporter of Brazilian drum & bass.

I sent versions to my trusted guys - Urbandawn, L-Side. When Break said it smashed his U.S. gig… man, I couldn’t believe it. It was a real affirmation.”

IMPOSTER NO MORE

The honour of remixing a personal hero has not only boosted Alibi’s confidence, but also helped him confront the much-dreaded imposter syndrome that affects many artists, regardless of their talent or achievements.

“Sometimes, you get that feeling of not being good enough,” he admits. “But when you see the talent around you and the support from your peers, it pushes you to keep going.

Imposter syndrome? Oh yeah. But I’m surrounded by heroes - S.P.Y., Zero T, LSB. Mastering their tracks taught me so much.”