Robert Card, better known by his stage name Blackmill, is a Scottish electronic music producer whose work is often described as melodic dubstep and chillstep. He also produces electronic music, dub, and drum and bass. In 2019, Bella Bagshaw of Dancing Astronaut referred to him as an “eternally under-the-radar producer.”
Early Life & Beginnings
Card was born in the Scottish Highlands, specifically in Carrbridge and Inverness. At the age of eight, he received a guitar for his birthday — an instrument he continues to play to this day. By the age of 15, Robert was producing trance music under the alias Robert J.C., uploading his tracks to YouTube.
Shift to Dubstep & Rise to Recognition
In 2010, as dubstep’s popularity surged, Blackmill became intrigued by the genre and began crafting his own variation, which would later be known as melodic dubstep. His remix of Ellie Goulding’s Your Song reached the #1 spot on music blog aggregator Hype Machine in the early 2010s, instantly putting him in the spotlight. Blackmill’s music has also been featured on BBC’s Hustle.
Discography & Collaborations
On February 28, 2011, Blackmill released his debut album Reach for Glory (some sources list 2012 as the release year). That same year, he released another album, Miracle, which many fans of electronic dubstep regard as a “must-hear record.” In 2012, he also released Fortunate Soul.
In 2017, Blackmill collaborated with Scottish folk singer John Edge to release the track Emerald City. He also worked with Mt. Eden — often considered among the “godfathers of melodic dubstep.” His musical influences include Bob Marley, Mt. Eden, and Bar 9.
Return & Later Works
In 2021, Blackmill released Home, his “comeback album” and first in ten years. In 2019, he ventured into tropical house, marking an experimental departure from his signature melodic dubstep sound. This track was described as a “labor of love” born from a “journey of rediscovery” to America, which he took with Graham Brown — a friend he first met in primary school in Inverness. Though Robert has recorded hundreds of tracks, many remain unreleased due to his perfectionist approach.
Achievements & Impact
Blackmill’s career numbers speak for themselves: over 400,000 global single sales, 80,000 album sales, 61 million streams, and more than 70 million YouTube views. He also boasts 4.6 million scrobbles and 175,200 listeners.
Conclusion
Robert Card, or Blackmill, has traveled a remarkable journey — from learning guitar as a child and producing trance under a teenage alias to earning recognition as one of the “princes of melodic dubstep.” His ability to adapt to emerging genres like dubstep and develop a distinct, recognizable sound, while occasionally exploring other styles such as tropical house, showcases his versatility. Though often described as “eternally under-the-radar,” his millions of streams and loyal fanbase underscore his significant influence on the electronic music scene.
