EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Nicky Romero
- Kimberly Phan
- Nov 29, 2016
- 4 min read
Nick Rotteveel, better known by his stage name Nicky Romero, is a Dutch DJ, record producer, musician and remixer. He is the founder and owner of Protocol Recordings, a label that helps up and coming DJs and producers release their tracks with added guidance and experience. He has built an empire both on his own talent and through the creative genius of those who he takes into the Protocol Family. Nicky Romero’s millions of fans and his unyielding attention to detail caught our attention at Raver Mag. We were fortunate enough to catch up with him for an exclusive interview.
Kimberly Phan: It goes without saying that you are one of the most respected artists and hardest working producers in the industry. Since your release of “Toulouse,” you’ve released more top-level tracks and collaborated and mixed with some of the biggest names in dance music. This past year, you promised new music and you’ve done exactly that. With your newest track, “Crossroads,” what was the production process – from searching for the vocalists, teaming up with Navarra, to hitting the studio?
Nicky Romero: Thank you very much, that’s very kind of you. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some major talents this year, like Nile Rodgers and The Script. On the flip side, I also love working with up and coming talent as I think there’s something that can be learned from everyone. One example – Navarra is an awesome duo that we found through Protocol. I got them in the studio with me and we just went from there. I think it’s hard to describe the creative process. Once you’re in the studio things just start to come together organically and that’s it.
Kimberly Phan: For Amsterdam Dance Event, you hosted at the legendary Melkwag! For all of us who couldn’t attend, could you tell us about the surprise guests and the set you performed?
Nicky Romero: We’ve been putting on the Protocol showcase every year for the last five years now and it’s always been so much fun. This year we had a second room, which we called the worldwide stage and we had some great acts like Mednas from Morocco and Raiden from South Korea. For me, it was incredible to see how much international reach Protocol now has. We also had Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano swing by for a surprise set which was great!
Raver Mag: Currently loving all of the mixes from “Nicky Romero Presents Protocol x ADE 2016.”
Nicky Romero: Glad you like them! Lately, I have been focusing on experimenting in the studio, incorporating the instruments that I play (piano, drums, guitar, etc.) and also working with musicians such as Nile Rodgers, Colton Avery and The Script. I’ve always been attracted to music with strong melodies and tracks that make you feel something. I hope that this always shows through in my productions. First and foremost, I always make music that I like and that I would want to listen to, because if I don’t like it, how can I expect other people to?
Kimberly Phan: The world of electronic dance music has become a saturated market. What do you think artists have to do to stay relevant or have to do to stay at their current caliber?
Nicky Romero: I think that leads on from my last point – the idea of believing in what you are putting out there and staying true to yourself and your sound. No one will respect you if you keep moving with the trends and the new ‘cool sound’ and it will show through in your productions as there won’t be any authenticity.
Kimberly Phan: Has there been a point in your career where you’ve wanted to change your sound? I’m not one to categorize musicians by genres, but there are many musicians in their career who convert to Progressive from Trance or switch from Hard Style to Big Room.
Nicky Romero: I’m sure my style has found a natural progression over the years and sure sometimes I can see the appeal of thinking ‘this is what’s popular now, if I make something like this, I could have a #1’, but personally I’d find it hard to make music that I didn’t like and I don’t think I’d feel good about it.
Raver Mag: It goes without saying that you’re one of the most talented producers in the world of electronic dance music. Music aside, you’re a human being first and foremost. Tell me, what are you passionate about? What do you like doing that makes you feel alive? What shakes you up?
Nicky Romero: At the moment I’m really passionate about my photography. I recently invested in a really cool new camera and I’ve set up my own Instagram for my photos. I think that reveals another side of me, so if you’re interested you should go and check it out.
Catch the Entire Interview with Nicky by Clicking on the Following Link:
AUTHOR CREDIT: Kimberly Phan
MEDIA OUTLET: Raver Mag