Cold Cuts Presents: Free The Robots & JayRu (PH)Clockenflap、Cold Cuts

Cold Cuts Presents Free the Robots & Jay Ru (Barbosa Records, PH)

Following a meaty first edition, It's your monthly time to come back to Migas and get served some Cold Cuts with a line-up that honestly feels illegal.

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Free the Robots (PH)
For over two decades, Free the Robots has been an influential force in pushing musical boundaries as an international recording artist and DJ. His genre-bending sets have captivated audiences from his hometown of Los Angeles to far corners of the globe. Emerging from the vibrant underground scenes of LA in the late '90s and early 2000s, FTR has evolved into a multifaceted musical storyteller dedicated to energizing dance floors. He has shared stages with notable artists such as The Beat Junkies, Lefto, Nosaj Thing and the Gaslamp Killer, and held various DJ residencies alongside icons like Shepard Fairey, Rhettmattic, and B Real of Cypress Hill. His commitment to musical diversity has been prominently showcased at iconic LA events such as The Low End Theory and The Do Over, as well as global stages like Wonderfruit in Thailand, Lowlands Festival in the Netherlands, Free Your Funk in France, El Festival Kiebre in Bolivia, and countless others across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Beyond performing, FTR actively enriches his musical library and deepens his understanding of diverse musical cultures, both past and present, while shaping musical trajectories for the future. His DJ sets showcase a distinctive style that fuses genres in surprising and bold combinations, embodying his rich history in the scene and an ever-evolving creative vision. Additionally, his monthly radio shows 'Mild Animals' on NTS.Live, 'Radio Paradiso' on ROVR.live, and 'Barbosa Radio' on Radio Alhara highlight his extensive collection of rare musical influences that extend far beyond the dance floor.

In addition to live performance and radio, FTR has spent nearly two decades

behind the scenes as a club owner, curator and operator. His journey in this realm began at the legendary Crosby in Santa Ana, CA, which hosted some of the earliest DJ residencies for OBEY, Soulection, and Delicious Vinyl, along with performances by legends such as Flying Lotus, Prince Paul, Maseo (De La Soul), Daedelus, Sango, and many more.


In recent years, FTR has settled on Siargao Island in the Philippines, where he co-launched Barbosa, a music bar and haven, with DJ partner Jay Ru. Together, they host multiple in-house residencies, sharing their passion for music with both locals and travelers, and establishing the island as an emerging destination in the global music scene.


Jay Ru (PH)
Jay Ru is a Filipino DJ and cultural worker whose practice centers on community, music, and creative exchange. He is the co-founder of Barbosa Siargao and Barbosa Records, a hub for music, art, and cultural resistance on the island of Siargao that fosters collaboration between local and international artists.

His DJ sets move fluidly across disco, funk, house, hip hop, and techno, shaped by rhythm, texture, and patient progression. Grounded in feeling rather than genre, his selections acknowledge the origins and lineages of these sounds, developing with attention to collective movement. Originally from Manila, Jay Ru emerged from underground networks that emphasized experimentation and cross-genre exchange.

Alongside his DJ practice, he curates the musical programming at Barbosa Siargao, shaping a platform for local and international DJs and live acts, with the aim of fostering a healthy musical environment for artists, musicians, and music audiences on the island. He also organizes and hosts Harana Sabado Nights, weekly gatherings drawing over 1000 plus people and supporting emerging talent.

Touring across Europe and Asia, Jay Ru brings the spirit of Barbosa to international dancefloors, creating spaces for exchange, memory, and shared experience.


Barbosa Records
For the past three years, Barbosa has carved out a unique space in the Philippine music scene through its distinctive approach to curation and events. Founders and DJ duo, Free the Robots and Jay Ru

have been cultivating a new movement at their world renowned weekly events, “Disco Tropico” and "Bread & Butter."

Each night, the music at Barbosa evolves with emphasis on connection and flow, transcending beyond the confines of any single genre. By blending everything from rare grooves, hip-hop classics, global funk, disco, house, and techno, they unite audiences in a journey that seamlessly navigates between the past, present and future. With a rich background as explorers of rare records, rooted deeply in jazz, funk, punk and soul, they appreciate the interconnectedness and evolution of all musical styles. Their quest for unique sounds is relentless, allowing every piece in their extensive library to weave seamlessly into their sets, creating an immersive journey on the dance floor.

Having established their presence in the underground scenes of Los Angeles and Manila, they have united to make Siargao Island their home, with a continued mission to expand their sound and culture for curious music lovers. This connection with both locals and visitors is elevating their movement to new heights.

Set against a backdrop of their iconic vinyl wall with records from family labels like Stones Throw, Ubiquity and Innovative Leisure, Barbosa feels like a welcoming living room. People from around the world flock to their events, featuring diverse talent including Mndsgn, Devin Morrison, Baldo, Norsica,

Sugarfree, Cezaire, Fold, Yeti Out, Crowd Control, Aldonna, Liquid Earth, Emel, and more. Additionally, their Barbosa Radio show on Radio Alhara has welcomed renowned figures such as Teebs, Jeremy Sole, Souleance, Forbidden Fruit, Pasta Groove, and others world wide. At its heart, Barbosa is about connection. The music, the community, and the joy of discovering

something unexpected, inviting everyone to move, listen, and share in the experience on this remote island.

Expect: disco, funk, delicious cocktails, good hospitality, good company, outdoors, indoors, outdoors, drink specials, soft furnishing, olive oil cake, meaty surprises, local DJ's and FREE COLD CUTS!