“Be yourself. Copying a popular artist makes no sense.” Marc Romboy takes on our quick fire QnA.
Why music?
Music is the air I need to inhale, the water I need to drink, the power I need to charge.
If you weren’t making music what would you be doing?
Probably a dermatologist as I studied medicine before making music professionally.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
From my mum: “You have to do what you feel!“ She said this to me when I told her that I was contemplating quitting university.
What inspires you?
Every second in my life. This morning I woke up and listened to the birds which gathered in front of my window. Their tweeting sequences sounded like from a 303, wow!
What’s the next big thing?
Singularity? In 2028? I‘m ready!
Best club experience?
Sven Väth at Warehouse in Cologne in summer 1994. It was hotter than hell outside and the club guys switched on the heater. It was pure ecstasy, Sven played a set I‘ll never forget.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Cleaning a bakehouse during school-time when I was something like 17. It was a tough job but my will to have money for the latest acid and hip house records was stronger!
How do you know when a track’s finished?
When it‘s out on vinyl because there is no undo option anymore.
What was your last day job and when did you realise you could give it up?
I worked at a call centre for directory enquiries. It was something like the internet but with real people telling you phone numbers or addresses. Sometimes I did the night shift, between 09:00 pm and 07:00 am. Somehow it was a training for my DJ career…
Which song do you wish you wrote?
Everything from Bach!
What’s the easiest way to make it in the music industry?
Networking!
What’s the worst track you’ve ever released?
Tohuwabohu “So‘n Krach“ on Hardtrackz in 1992 I guess. We sampled a dialogue of monsters at “Sesame Street“ but it was fun and made it to some “Hardcore“ compilations like “Thunderdome“.
Recommend us a film.
Matrix 1 & 2.
Recommend us a book.
What or who is underrated?
Empathy.
What or who is overrated?
Popularity.
What are you addicted to?
White wine.
What do you lust over?
Rare records.
What is your greatest regret?
Actually nothing.
What one thing would most improve your life?
Beaming.
What’s the worst gig you’ve ever played?
In Valencia around 2006. People expected something like tribal house and hated my performance. But I‘m sure it has nothing to do with the people in Valencia in general.
Collaboration: rich creative experience or pain in the ass?
Fantastic experience and a wonderful way to learn more about people and making music.
What’s the secret to a great mix?
The momentum.
If you could only listen to one more track, what would it be?
“Numbers“ by Kraftwerk.
How do you relax?
I love sleeping.
What one piece of software/kit could you not do without? Why?
Ableton Live.
Art or money?
Art about money.
Ronaldo or Messi?
Beckenbauer.
Strangest place you ever wrote a track?
Iceland.
Must-visit record store?
Kompakt in Cologne.
What’s your single biggest frustration in the music industry?
When my distributor became bankrupt in 1994, a point of time when I was just about to start to earn some money.
What’s your favourite label? Why?
These Eyes! Always a big surprising what‘s coming next with the label.
What’s the worst thing about making music?
The mind war in your brain sometimes.
What’s your motto?
Life is too short (to experience all the great things on earth). So why wait?
Name something timeless
Bach.
Tweet us a tip. What’s the best production advice you can give in 140 characters or less?
Be yourself. Copying a popular artist makes no sense.
Complete this sentence: At heart I’m just a frustrated…
Can music change the world?
Yes.
What are you listening to right now?
Supertramp “School“.
What should you do before you die?
Finding out how they mixed Supertramp‘s “School“.
Follow Marc Romboy on Instagram.
Marc Romboy ‘Empathy / Bluethner’ is released 7th May 2021 on Systematic. Get your pre-order’s over on Kompakt.fm.