While Nicky Romero is currently hanging out in Ibiza, the only shows he’s playing this summer are happening on the Internet.
Tomorrow (July 16), the Dutch producer will present his live broadcast concept Another World, which will take place in front of a giant green screen and will transport viewers, along with Romero himself, to an immersive virtual audiovisual landscape where fans They can experience the greater than live music that has made Romero one of the world’s biggest names on the EDM main stage. The event occurs through Romero’s YouTube at 12 p.m. M. PT / 3 p. M. ET.
Another World comes immediately after “I Need You To Know,” a collaboration with Dutch icon Armin van Buuren that launched via Armada on July 10. Romero’s own label, Protocol Recordings, also celebrated its 200th release this summer. In fact, at a time when many DJs, and many of us in general, have enjoyed more downtime than usual, Romero has kept himself busy, but has still found time to hang out on the beach and barbecue. .
Here, he talks about growing up with Cops for Parents, the Swedish House Mafia song he wishes he had produced and the time he played the soundtrack of a marriage proposal.
1. Where are you in the world right now and what is the setting like?
Currently, I am venting with my friends in Ibiza. The last few months were pretty hectic, even without touring. Ibiza is now very calm, since the club’s events and parties do not take place, so it is about food, friends and recharging batteries.
2. What is the first album or piece of music that you bought for yourself and what was the medium?
It was one of Michael Jackson’s albums on a cassette. After this, my dad took me to one of his concerts! Regards for the whole life.
3. What did your parents do to earn a living when you were a child, and what do they think of what you do to earn a living now?
When I was a child, my parents were policemen. A few years ago, my father left his job at the police department and joined the Nicky Romero / Protocol Recordings team. It helps us with different aspects in the company.
4. What was the first song you made?
That’s interesting, because one of my first songs I made was a fun new version of the title track for “Dino Babies,” a dinosaur cartoon series starring her that she used to watch when she was a kid.
5. If you had to recommend an album for someone who wants to get into dance music, what would you give them?
I still love David Guetta Nothing but the beat. An incredible body of work consisting of many incredible electronic discs, from club hard drives to emotional anthems like “Titanium”.
6. What was the first thing you bought for yourself when you started earning money as a DJ?
A new Mac Pro to move from Windows to OSX! I still have that computer at home as a souvenir.
7. What is the last song you listened to?
That’s “Be Alright” by Marc Benjamin and Timmo Hendriks. I really love that album; We launched it in Protocol this year.
8. What is a song you wish you had produced?
“Save The World” by Swedish House Mafia or “Reload” by Sebastian Ingrosso and Tommy Trash. They both have all the right ingredients that I love about electronic dance music: amazing hooks, big vocals and it hits you straight in the feel, especially when you play it out loud at clubs or festivals.
9. How do you fill your time during quarantine?
Spending a lot of quality time with friends and family. I love to barbecue with my GreenEgg in good weather or ride my motorcycle to turn off the world for a while. Also, I’m really getting into gaming and trying to learn more about Twitch and the entire eSports industry.
10. What is distinctive about where you grew up and how did it shape you?
I lived in Canada on the day for a few years, but then I moved to the Netherlands. I grew up in Amerongen, a small town near Utrecht. Many creatives and people with musical talent come from that area, so this had a positive impact on my interests in music.
11. What is the first dance music show that really blew your mind?
I remember the Fedde Le Grand set at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami, where he shared the stage with David Guetta and Carl Cox. The crowd went wild when he released “Put your hands up for Detroit.” That was one of my most memorable moments watching a show.
12. Who is your favorite DJ?
Carl Cox is one of my favorite DJs. The energy it gives the crowd is on another level. Congratulations to Carlito!
13. What is the first thing you do when you return to your hotel room after a show?
Ask for some food! I love to eat something when we come back from a program. Burning a lot of calories during performances means you have to fill in the deficiency later to stay healthy.
14. What is the craziest thing you’ve seen happen in the crowd during one of your sets?
Well, it’s not really that crazy, but more emotional, I’d say. A guy approached me during a show in the United States with the question of whether I could propose to his girlfriend during the breakdown of my song “I could be the one” with avicii. So this happened and she said “Yes”. I know they are still happy in love together! It gives me so much energy every time I think I am part of her happiness.
15. Your label, Protocol Recordings, recently celebrated its 200th release. What is the most difficult part of running a label?
One of the biggest challenges is finding talent with fresh sounds that are not a copy of something that already exists. It’s easy to start a DJ / producer career today with all the sample packs, tutorials, and home studio gear, but this also makes a lot of people go limp. Exploring and finding the right people who bring something new to the table is the hardest part.
16. You are great at eSports. What is your favorite sport and what has been your biggest victory?
Most of the time I play Call of Duty: Warzone with my friends or professional friends from the British Royal Ravens team. Earlier this year, in February, I traveled to London to support them during their inaugural Call Of Duty League game. While I was there, I joined MadCat for a crazy publicity battle against Censor and Jamaal Lascelles. I smoked them and had my final death in an arena full of spectators.
17. What is the longest period of time you have spent playing video games?
I think it was during a LAN party in those days. French fries, cola and Counter Strike for 16 hours straight!
18. What do you miss most about the festival season?
I miss the fans and the environment. I miss hugging my colleagues and all the positive energy.
19. What do you miss the least about the festival season?
That’s easy: travel!
20. Any advice that you would give to your younger self?
Let’s go and keep moving forward.
