The German dynamo doing it his way
Roman, welcome to DMCWORLD towers dude. Music has obviously been a major part of your life from an early age, picking up a pair of drum sticks when you were ten, learning various other musical instruments soon after. Who were the artists that were an influence to you back then as a kid?
“My father was also musician and DJ. So basically everything that he had in his record collection influenced me. I spend hours in front of the turntable and listen to various records. All kinds of music basically. Everything I could get my hands on. I started in typical cover school bands. Then we had a band that wrote its own material. Mixtures between Jazz, soul and funk with me on the mic..”
You once said that you never wanted to become a DJ, that it simply was the easiest way for you perform alone. You used to play in bands growing up – so what was the reasoning behind this going solo vibe? Even your biography starts with the line…”Some people just don’t mix with the in-crowd”…
“I never found people that wanted to go all the way. That wanted to make a living with music. I spent my youth in a small city named Mönchengladbach. I couldn’t wait to move to a bigger city. The guys I played in the band with have all regular jobs now. I just wanted to live from music. That was my main goal. Producing alone with a computer and performing just needing me was and is perfect for me.”
You chose to live in Cologne in Germany, a city well known for it’s underground minimal sound. What is the best and worst thing about living there?
“I love Cologne its really in the center of Europe I can drive with my car and reach Holland, Belgium, France Swiss, Luxemburg and 50% of all major cities in Germany within 4 hours. We also have an international airport and the airports of Düsseldorf and Frankfurt are reachable win under two hours. Cologne is also were compact. You don’t really need a car. Plus my wife and me have a house here a little bit outside the center. We have all our offices here, my record and instrument collection and my studio. So it’s really perfect.”
You began DJing at the Unique Club in Dusseldorf, a club that was voted Club Of The Year many times – what made it so special?
“The club was an old table dance Bar. It was cover from top to bottom with red and white leather. We played 60 and 70 Jazz, Brazil, Funk and Soul there and it was always packed with a huge queue outside waiting to get in. It was truly unique.”
You are off to Miami with a huge piece of music in ‘Ratt3nfanger’ and a very special Analog People In A Digital World remix – talk us through this smash?
I released my third album “FR3E” last year. I gave it away for free for one month. You could download it on the the Facebook of WePlay – my partner label of TOCA45 recordings. “Ratt3nfänger” is part of the second remix EP that I released from the album. Some really nice remixes on there.”
Do you think Miami is still the most important date on the dance calendar?
“It is if you want to have a drink with friends and other DJs that you won’t see over the rest of the year. It just have this certain vibe.”
What are your thoughts on the Dennis Ferrer ‘Mansion’ Miami club story – he was basically kicked off the decks for not playing commercial enough…
“That’s funny because I had a similar experience there some years back. I had to stop my set because a guest that just ordered 10 bottle of champagne wanted me to play some hip hop. But at least I played my two hour set. Miami is a commercial party place and every DJ that plays there knows that. If you go to WMC you have maybe 20% cool underground parties. The rest will just play the biggest hits. Its just how it is. I’m lucky enough to play in more underground clubs as well as bigger festivals and some commercial parties. I love both music and the different energy from different crowds”
Where have been your favourite clubs you have rocked over the past couple of months?
“I love Bootshaus here in Cologne. It just became such a good place for music. Every big name and underground DJ has played here and we are doing our Tocacabana parties on a regular basis. The energy is just amazing.
Did you know as soon as you had created your remix of The Egg ‘Walking Away’ how massive it was going to be?
“Not really. I made the remix for a friend at Great Stuff Recordings. Some weeks later he told me that Digweed, Sasha and Carl Cox were playing the track and said it was amazing. Then started the whole commotion. It was a bit weird but also cool.”
You have written extensively with David Guetta for his albums – why do you think you two clicked so well?
“David is a really nice guy. We had some good times together. It was fun to produce something with him.”
Not many people know this, but Tocadsico is really good at?
“I can cook if that’s a talent… lol.”
You have remixed some legends – Mylo, Moby, New Order, Tiga, Pet Shop Boys, Steve Angello, Axwell and Ingrosso to name but a few. What rework did you have the most fun with, what are you most proudest of?
“I always loved Moby’s stuff and I respect him very much as and artist and as an person generally. The management just recently asked me if I was up for another colaboration. I’m very excited about this.”
You have been putting on your Tocabana parties with your wife Nathizinha – are there any plans for 2012?
“We already had two parties this year and we are starting now to get the party on tour more. The next one is at Bootshaus here in Cologne on the 7th April with R3hab and Mord Fustang.”
What is the finest record you have ever played to a dance floor?
“Very difficult question. Music and especially dance music changes so much and now there is this huge output . But I’m still excited to go out every weekend and play fresh music.”
What has the rest of 2012 got in store for us studio wise?
“I’m working a lot lately. I have already released four singles and five remixes this year. Actually I’m on the way to the studio now. All my new stuff can be found on www.soundcloud.com/tocadisco
And finally, your radio show is still going from strength, how many people are we up now tuning in?
“Yes this was a big surprise for me. If you are a musician your dream is to have a label and a radio show. When I started to ask around if the radio channels would be interested in broadcasting my show, we had this huge response, I was really blown away. The Tocacabana radio show is now broadcasted in 50 countries on 50 radio channels worldwide. This is truly amazing for me.”
Playlist TOCACABANA RADIO SHOW Part 11
01) Alex Metric – Rave Weapon
02) Koen Groeneveld – Gulfstream
03) Barry Manilow – At The Copacabana (Tocadisco’s Copacabana Mix)
04) Alter Ego – Rocker (Patrick La Funk, Dohr & Mangold Bootleg)
05) Jack Beats feat. Donae’o – You Should Know
06) Analog People In A Digital World – Rose Rouge (Tocadisco’s Monster Mix)
07) RipTidE – Space (Bart B More Remix)
08) Housesquare – Old Gem
09) Etienne de Crecy – Am I Wrong (Felix Cartel Remix)
10) Kraymer – The Concept (Jay Robinson Remix)
11) Toca Bootleg – ColdplayDubstep
12) Tocadisco – Jump
13) Toca Bootleg – Leave Alright Behind You
14) Orbital feat. Zola Jesus – New France (Tom Middleton Cosmos Remix)
http://www.mixcloud.com/tocacabana/tocacabana-11_2012/
TOCADISCO TOUR SCHEDULE:
19-26.3.12 Tocadisco @ WMC, Miami – USA
07.04.2012 Tocadisco @ Tocacabana Party @ Bootshaus, Cologne – Germany
05.05.2012 Tocadisco @ Mach 1, Nürnberg – Germany
11.05.2012 Tocadisco @ Seltsames Verhalten, Merzbrück – Germany
12.05.2012 Tocadisco @ Super Vision @ Proud 2, London – UK
19.05.2012 Tocadisco @ Neon Splash @ Grugahalle, Essen – Germany