Harry Romero and Joeski get their jazz freak on for the summer with their cool 2 track EP smashing it on I’m A House Gangster. All coming about after the boys had a studio meltdown, took a drive in their lowrider and heard some crazy drum solo on a random jazz station. Cue a full 360 on the highway and straight back to the studio. Dan Prince Bounces into the Ghetto….
Harry Romero and Joeski – a massive welcome to DMCWORLD – where on planet earth are you today?
“Thx for the welcome. we are both Stateside at the moment getting ready for our gigs this weekend.
What was the first piece of music you heard this morning after rolling out of bed?
Harry: i just put the finishing touches on a new track I just completed titled ‘I Am’ on some proper deep chunkiness.
Joeski: just wrapped up this vocal track with my Jesante.
You’re both highly respected producers in your own right, how did you get together to form HR & SKI and what’s the ethos behind your productions?
We met up at a party in Miami during WMC 2014. We exchanged numbers and got in the lab a few weeks after. No real mission statement with what we are doing. We just bug out in the studio and keep the beats hard and fat.
What are the positives and negatives of working together as a duo as opposed to solo productions?
Positives are 2 heads are better than one. We definitely learn from each other. The negative is we have to smell each others farts.
What’s the best piece of kit in your studio you can’t live without?
For both of us we can’t do shit without our computers. That’s basically our studio.
‘Ghetto Jazz’ has just landed on DJ Sneak’s I’m A House Gangster label, please talk us through the tracks.
Ghetto Bounce came about on a day when we had zero inspiration. We took a ride to clear our heads and put on the Jazz station on the car radio. We heard some crazy drum solo on one of the tracks playing and we went straight back to the butcher shop inspired. Rewind It Back came about when we were getting some grooves together to collab with Hector from Desolat because we were supposed to get in the studio that week. Something happened where his flight to New York got cancelled, that’s when we said let’s just finish this one up to complete the EP for Sneak.
If you could make a track with a Jazz legend (dead or alive) who would it be?
There’s just way too many artists to list. We are definitely inspired by Herbie Hancock, Bob James, Jean Luc Ponty, Chuck Mangioni, John Coltrone, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Eda james…Like we said…the list is long.
What’s your favourite memory in dance music over the past 10 years?
It was definitely doing our 4 decks, 2 mixers set at BPM 2015.
Name one thing you love the most about each other?
Joeski: I learned a lot of technical studio stuff from Harry. He’s had the pleasure of working for many years with legendary Dave Darlington and he has passed on a lot of knowledge to me
Harry: What I really respect from Joeski is his ability to bring such a good energy to both our studio sessions and our live shows.
Name the one thing you dislike the most about each other?
Harry: I hate the fact Joeski’s always so positive.
Joeski: I hate the fact Harry is so negative.
Tell us a funny story that’s happened whilst HR & SKI have been on tour
We were playing in Mexico earlier this year and after playing 8 hours together we went back to our hotel to find a giant, steamy dump in from of our neighbor’s front door. I don’t know, but I think Donald Trump was staying there.
What are your 5 big tunes of the moment?
Aquarium – Hary Romero – Ovum Recording
Ghetto Bounce – HR & SKI – I’m A House Gangster
From The Soul – HR & SKI – Nervous
Rewind it Back – HR & SKI – I’m A House Gangster
Gumball – Dave Seaman (Dario D’Attis Remix) – KNM Special Marketing
The best thing about Summer is..?
IBIZA. HANDS DOWN.
What big date are you most looking forward to this Season?
IBIZA. We will be playing live on July 25th for Hard Times at Privilege.
An up and coming producer to watch out for over the next 12 months?
Don’t know about up and coming but we are definitely feeling David Herrero, &ME, and Ki Kreighton. All quality, consistent producers that get played at all our gigs.
Tell us something we don’t know about you
Joeski: I enjoy the company of cats.
Harry: I hate cats!
The last GREAT album you listened to?
Harry: Depeche Mode ‘Music for Masses’
Joeski: Siouxie and the Banshees ‘Tinder Box’
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
We have a more intelligent techno Ep we just wrapped up, Cutting vocals on bunch of new more housey tracks, and Getting collabs done for our labels Maya and Bambossa…SO STAY TUNED!!!
HR & SKI ‘Ghetto Jazz EP’ is out now on I’m A House Gangster
PREVIEW https://soundcloud.com/im-a-house-gangster/sets/hr-ski-ghetto-jazz-im-a-house-gangster-iahg021