No doubting it, he IS the one for 2013!!
Hey Nicky, welcome back to DMCWORLD. You have just returned from an incredible looking tour of South Africa – the Johannesburg jungle gig looked awesome. What were the highlights of the tour?
“I absolutely loved the country and the crowd!! I had never been to South Africa and it was amazing!! I played with Steve Aoki and he is the best guy…awesome fun!! To play in such an environment to a raging crowd like that was like getting early birthday gifts!!”
The track has been dubbed the collaboration of two future gods, yourself joining forces with Sweden’s Avicii for ‘I Could Be The One’ pitching our way via Universal Music. The track has been around in one for or another all year under different names and with no vocals, now featuring Noonie Bao. When was the track first created and where?
“Well that was a while ago. Tim and I have a great understanding and we are mates. It was always an idea that sat in the pipeline and our managers helpt out in synching our calanders, I flew out to Sweden and we worked out a basic set up. Tim is so awesome when it comes to creating those wicked and catchy melodies, he is awesome on the piano. We shot the project back and forth a few times I worked on it for a bit in my studio at home and the rest is musical history J”
Was the aim always to one day find a vocalist for the track, the world is awash with great female singers right now, why did Noonie fit the bill?
“We had more than a few toplines come in on this track believe me! Both our teams felt that this vocalist and these lyrics really fit the bill. We loved the vibe and thought it worked really well with the structure of the track. We were looking for that right symmetry where the vocal enhances the music and would touch that cross over potential. Noonie’s vocal was right in all those areas.”
The other track that has been smashing up dance floors everywhere these past months is your collaboration with Nervo on your own Protocol label – ‘Like Home’. The tune was introduced to the world at what many regard the greatest dance festival ever – Tommorland in Belgium. What was that experience like?
“AMAZING!! I loved playing there and to be able to introduce the track there to a crowd of the most fanatic and passionate music heads was a little nerve wrecking but exciting at the same time. To see a track you produced received so well is the absolute best feeling in the whole world. Thanks again Tomorrowland you rocked!! I hope we can do it again this year.”
What are your thoughts on the Nicky Romero sound for 2013. Will there be any changes?
“I always push myself to evolve as a producer. Being on the road is the best but it limits my time in the studio somewhat, sometimes it is like a relationship that is not vibing. I make sure I do reserve as much studio time as possible though, this is where my home is, my heart and the greatest part of my passion comes alive. It is like a battery recharge for me. On the road I listen to a lot of music, find inspiration in all areas of life to work it like nothing else in the studio incorporating this into my music. I always strive to improve in the field of producing, I am very ambitious in all areas of life but music is where that starts. I see many new things coming, working on my own plug in too so I am stoked!”
Protocol has become known around the industry as a premier destination for innovative dance music. What are the next releases lined up – have you something special lined up for Miami?
“We have started signing tracks and of course I have some tracks on the shelve. We have a track coming up by Vince Moogin, D-Wayne and my latest production Symphonica. To be honest there is so much music out now I don’t know when to release the next track. I do promise that when WMC comes we will have some treats lined up.”
You smashed your way into the DJ Mag100 last year at No. 17 – the highest new entry. Where were you when you found out and how did you celebrate?
“I heard a little bit before the actual award show that I had to take into consideration we might be entering high this year. I was so honored it is like a crown on your work as this award is given by the fans and that matters most to me. My agent organized a surprise dinner for me. The awards show was during ADE which was one of the most hectic times my career had ever seen. We had so much going on, I played three shows and we had out Protocol Recordings launch party so I did not have any time to spare. My agent told me she was very cross with me and needed some face time asap on the night of the awards. I was really busy and cold not see finding the time to do this. But I have a close relationship with all my team and I could hear in her voice she was serious. So not over the moon with the situation I went to meet her. When I got to the restaurant where I was supposed to meet her, to my greatest surprise my whole family and team was there, so they tricked me into this celebration. My parents, sister grandmother and grandfather were there and it was a touching moment for me. To share this with my loved ones was a great great gift. I will get my agent back some day lol, but I was very thankful she set up this surprise.”
You played at some of the biggest clubs in Ibiza last summer and you have had offers from every club on the island for 2013 – where will we find you?
“You will find me in the Pacha at David Guetta’s F**k Me
You have just returned from an incredible looking tour of South Africa – the Johannesburg jungle gig looked awesome. What were the highlights of the tour?
“I absolutely loved the country and the crowd!! I had never been to South Africa and it was amazing!! I played with Steve Aoki and he is the best guy… awesome fun!! To play in such an environment to a raging crowd like that was like getting early birthday gifts!!”
The track has been dubbed the collaboration of two future gods, yourself joining forces with Sweden’s Avicii for the hotly anticipated ‘I Could Be The One’ pitching our way via Universal Music. The track has been around in one for or another all year under different names and with no vocals, now featuring Noonie Bao. When was the track first created and where?
“Well that was a while ago. Tim and I have a great understanding and we are mates. It was always an idea that sat in the pipeline and our managers helpt out in synching our calanders, I flew out to Sweden and we worked out a basic set up. Tim is so awesome when it comes to creating those wicked and catchy melodies, he is awesome on the piano. We shot the project back and forth a few times I worked on it for a bit in my studio at home and the rest is musical history J”
Was the aim always to one day find a vocalist for the track, the world is awash with great female singers right now, why did Noonie fit the bill?
“We had more than a few toplines come in on this track believe me! Both our teams felt that this vocalist and these lyrics really fit the bill. We loved the vibe and thought it worked really well with the structure of the track. We were looking for that right symmetry where the vocal enhances the music and would touch that cross over potential. Noonie’s vocal was right in all those areas.”
The other track that has been smashing up dance floors everywhere these past months is your collaboration with Nervo on your own Protocol label – ‘Like Home’. The tune was introduced to the world at what many regard the greatest dance festival ever – Tommorland in Belgium. What was that experience like?
“AMAZING!! I loved playing there and to be able to introduce the track there to a crowd of the most fanatic and passionate music heads was a little nerve wrecking but exciting at the same time. To see a track you produced received so well is the absolute best feeling in the whole world. Thanks again Tomorrowland you rocked!! I hope we can do it again this year.”
What are your thoughts on the Nicky Romero sound for 2013. Will there be any changes?
“I always push myself to evolve as a producer. Being on the road is the best but it limits my time in the studio somewhat, sometimes it is like a relationship that is not vibing. I make sure I do reserve as much studio time as possible though, this is where my home is, my heart and the greatest part of my passion comes alive. It is like a battery recharge for me. On the road I listen to a lot of music, find inspiration in all areas of life to work it like nothing else in the studio incorporating this into my music. I always strive to improve in the field of producing, I am very ambitious in all areas of life but music is where that starts. I see many new things coming, working on my own plug in too so I am stoked!”
Protocol has become known around the industry as a premier destination for innovative dance music. What are the next releases lined up – have you something special lined up for Miami?
“We have started signing tracks and of course I have some tracks on the shelve. We have a track coming up by Vince Moogin, D-Wayne and my latest production Symphonica. To be honest there is so much music out now I don’t know when to release the next track. I do promise that when WMC comes we will have some treats lined up.”
You smashed your way into the DJ Mag100 last year at No. 17 – the highest new entry. Where were you when you found out and how did you celebrate?
“I heard a little bit before the actual award show that I had to take into consideration we might be entering high this year. I was so honored it is like a crown on your work as this award is given by the fans and that matters most to me. My agent organized a surprise dinner for me. The awards show was during ADE which was one of the most hectic times my career had ever seen. We had so much going on, I played three shows and we had out Protocol Recordings launch party so I did not have any time to spare. My agent told me she was very cross with me and needed some face time asap on the night of the awards. I was really busy and cold not see finding the time to do this. But I have a close relationship with all my team and I could hear in her voice she was serious. So not over the moon with the situation I went to meet her. When I got to the restaurant where I was supposed to meet her, to my greatest surprise my whole family and team was there, so they tricked me into this celebration. My parents, sister grandmother and grandfather were there and it was a touching moment for me. To share this with my loved ones was a great great gift. I will get my agent back some day lol, but I was very thankful she set up this surprise.”
You played at some of the biggest clubs in Ibiza last summer and you have had offers from every club on the island for 2013 – where will we find you?
“You will find me in the Pacha at David Guetta’s F**k Me I’m famous show, I will have a residency there which I am very excited about. That party is one of the best!! David also invited me to do Ushaia pool parties too so the Ibiza season is looking good. I might pop out to another club as there are some offers I believe but I will have to let you know when the time comes…”
A massive track of yours features on the new Rihanna album – the only dance track on there. How did that come about?
“I went into the studio with David Guetta and he was offered to do some work with her. We work together very often and this opportunity came to table of course we jumped on it and I am very happy with the outcome.”
What was your favourite club and festival of 2012?
“You know this is one of the most frequent asked questions since my international career took off. I love playing to crowds anywhere and everywhere. It is soo amazing to me that people make an effort to come out and see myself and my colleagues play all over the world so I have a blast and it is what I love doing. I see this as my way of giving back. I do not want to come across overly diplomatic here, of course some gigs are better than others. But the point is that I love DJing and the party is made by the crowds and myself on the spot.”
Away from the studio and DJ booth – what was your most satisfying moment or achievement of 2012?
“I am a homeowner for the first time in my life, that is not a big achievement but a big deal to me J We set up a great team this year, the label has taken shape, we have events now so the business is set up. I am proud of that.”
You have just played for Dr Dre in Russia – what was that like and was there any problems with what headphones you used?! Dre has his own range after all…
“To meet this guy in person was a life altering moment. To be in the presence of someone so talented and responsible for shaping the musical landscape in the way he did……..lost for words!! There was nothing wrong with my old headphones but the people from Beats By Dre hooked me up with the MIXR headphones and they are great for me to DJ with, great sounding and a good fit J…”
A massive track of yours features on the new Rihanna album – the only dance track on there. How did that come about?
“I went into the studio with David Guetta and he was offered to do some work with her. We work together very often and this opportunity came to table of course we jumped on it and I am very happy with the outcome.”
What was your favourite club and festival of 2012?
“You know this is one of the most frequent asked questions since my international career took off. I love playing to crowds anywhere and everywhere. It is soo amazing to me that people make an effort to come out and see myself and my colleagues play all over the world so I have a blast and it is what I love doing. I see this as my way of giving back. I do not want to come across overly diplomatic here, of course some gigs are better than others. But the point is that I love DJing and the party is made by the crowds and myself on the spot.”
Away from the studio and DJ booth – what was your most satisfying moment or achievement of 2012?
“I am a homeowner for the first time in my life, that is not a big achievement but a big deal to me J We set up a great team this year, the label has taken shape, we have events now so the business is set up. I am proud of that.”
You have just played for Dr Dre in Russia – what was that like and was there any problems with what headphones you used?! Dre has his own range after all…
“To meet this guy in person was a life altering moment. To be in the presence of someone so talented and responsible for shaping the musical landscape in the way he did…lost for words!! There was nothing wrong with my old headphones but the people from Beats By Dre hooked me up with the MIXR headphones and they are great for me to DJ with, great sounding and a good fit…”
http://www.youtube.com/nickyromerotv
https://twitter.com/nickyromero
https://www.facebook.com/djnickyromero
https://soundcloud.com/nickyromero
https://itunes.apple.com/nl/podcast/protocol-radio/id561124694?l=en
Buy Link:
http://www.beatport.com/track/i-could-be-the-one-original-mix/4038601
