Next to the usual non-stop touring of the world’s largest festival stages and huge club rooms, Nicky Romero has also been focusing on new music and experimenting with new sounds this year. “I tried to update my own sound to make sure it was still Nicky Romero, but change it a little as that is the only way to grow,” he tells us. 

After so many years of traversing the planet and being away from home, the Dutchman also tried to spend as much time as possible with family and friends. “Quality time is important to me and helps me balance life on the road,” he says. “We are not robots and we also need our time off and time to recharge to make great music again.” 

He cites some of the year’s highlights as playing all new songs at Tomorrowland 2019 and also managing to play an unusually long — for EDM artists — 90-minute set on the Ultra Miami main stage. 

Do you submit your DJ setlists to the relevant royalties collecting society?

“Yes.” 

What more can we do to combat the mental health crisis in our scene?

“I think presence, and the fact we actually admit that the pressure is high, already helped a lot.” 

What changes have you made this year to be more environmentally friendly?

“I changed all the lamps in my house to LED, changed my TV to OLED, use a bike a lot to go to the studio.” 

What was your favourite toy when you were a kid?

“Probably my Tama drumkit.” 

What’s your guilty pleasure?

“FIFA 20 and McFlurry M&M Caramel [laughs].” 

From: Netherlands
DJ style: “Progressive house.”
Best known for: “‘Toulouse’, ‘I Could Be The One’.”
Fave tune of 2018: “‘Be Somebody’, my collaboration with Steve Aoki & Kiiara.”
Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2018: “I love how incredibly talented Ookay is. We hung out during rehearsals in LA and he plays so many instruments live. He’s incredible.”

He might still be baby-faced, but Nicky Romero has now been touring the globe for more than a decade. This year the Dutchman has been trying to push himself further than ever, while at the same time staying true to the fundamentals of what got him where he is today.

“I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with many talented artists across genres this year and I plan to continue doing so in 2019,” says the man who worked with ROZES on ‘Where Would We Be’, Spyder on ‘PRTCL’ and also remixed Steve Aoki’s ‘Lie To Me’ in 2018.

“I’ve found a lot of joy returning to progressive house,” he continues. “Going into the studio and pulling up old projects or sounds I haven’t explored recently has been really exciting and reminds me why I love producing and performing.” Romero has previously admitted to having suffered burnout owing to his jam-packed touring schedule and recognises that losing Avicii was a tough moment for him this year. “He was a dear friend, collaborator and an inspiration. I don’t think we’ll see anyone like him again.”

Words: KRISTAN CARYL