I had the chance to catch up with Nicky Romero before his set at Pacha NY this past Friday (01/20/2012) with Calvin Harris, Burns, and Pierce Fulton. Nicky Romero is doing BIG THINGS with his sound being one of the most unique in the EDM industry. He was named in MTV's EDM Rookies To Watch In 2012. I would like to thank Nicky Romero for taking the time out of his schedule to answer these questions for us.
RD: What inspired you to pursue a career in EDM?
NR: I started off as a drummer and I wanted to make it in music for a long time but I didn't know how or where at the time, then I discovered EDM and it really got me hooked.
RD: What role does music play in your life? How has it shaped your daily routine?
NR: I was a normal guy like everyone else going to school, working hard, and now I still work hard, even harder. I travel the world doing everything I love, making music as a profession, which is the best thing in life.
RD: What do you think attracts listeners to your music?
NR: Hopefully because it is a little different.
RD: You have had releases on numerous labels, is there a label you go to first with stand out tracks?
NR: I release a lot on Spinnin' Records and at the same time I am excited to start releasing my tracks on my own record label. There is no name yet but I have a few ideas in mind. I am going to start releasing tracks through it this year.
RD: What are your favorite cities to perform in?
NR: For sure it would be Dallas, Las Vegas, New York, and Los Angeles.
RD: What tracks do you think got you where you are today?
NR: There are quite a few. I think Flash, Solar, Toulouse is pretty important to me, Generation 303 is going to be really big this year, the collab with Avicii is going to do big things for me, and My Friend did a good job which was played at every Sensation worldwide.
RD: Your acid banger 'Generation 303' is set to be released on Musical Freedom in February 2012. When you produced this track could you tell how popular it was going to be?
NR: The track just appeared. I was in the studio and started making a track and finished it in 4 hours.
RD: I saw you got the Native Instruments Maschine for Christmas, how do you like it? What other equipment do you use while producing?
NR: I like the Maschine a lot I just got to figure out how it works. I also use Logic.
RD: When creating a song do you have a specific genre in mind? Or do you just start creating and see where the project ends up?
NR: I start out with a blank tablet and it usually takes me a few hours. There is not one way of doing it the process always changes and the product ends up different every time.
RD: How do you keep your creations fresh without losing the Nicky Romero signature sound?
NR: I want to do a lot without losing my own signature so I try to keep my own kind of tight housy beats and my sound is more stabby sound and breaks but still keep the musical influence with the break and that is what I want to keep.
RD: Do you feel more comfortable producing when you are on the road or at home?
NR: At home for sure.
RD: You have been at a few events this year with David Guetta. What kind of relationship do you guys have?
NR: Me and David Guetta like to go bowling together that is it, haha. No, I'm just kidding we are doing really good actually we have became very good friends. It is kind of weird to have a friend who is the #1 DJ in the world. He helps me a lot with radio stuff and he is becoming a really good solo producer and really knows how to work hard. He is a great producer, a business man, and a DJ all in one.
RD: Can you sense a difference in America's preference in house and other parts of the world? Where do you think your music is most popular?
NR: I think if you look on Request it would definitely be United States, Canada, and picking one country in Europe is just too small, so I would have to say Europe as a whole as well.
RD: You are spinning at Ultra Music Festival this year, must be super exciting. What are you expecting from one of the biggest festivals in the USA?
NR: I am expecting a crazy crazy crazy huge sunny party with great music.
RD: You just released 'Freaky' and 'Slacking' which are collaborations with Fedde le Grand. How has working with him influenced your sound/techniques?
NR: Fedde le Grand is one of the guys who is really good at making grooves, making weird kinda noises, and using new plugins that no one even knows how to use yet. He helped me out with thinking further than the basic groove and adding weird stuff. He is a really creative guy.
RD: If you could collaborate with any artist that you haven't gotten the chance to already, who would it be?
NR: Axwell.
RD: Is there any upcoming artist who's creations you really admire?
NR: Zedd.
RD: What is your favorite track to have in your set at the moment?
NR: I think Slam The Door by Zedd. I have a new collaboration with Zedd coming out I will play the vocal edit tonight. Another one I really like is a new song by Avicii which is not released yet which is called Silhouettes.
RD: Advice for upcoming musicians?
NR: Work hard and pay a lot of attention to what you are putting out and make sure it is of high quality, even if it takes a little longer then you expected. Don't lose your focus and don't drink too much. Anything you want is possible.
