INTERVIEW: DJ and producer Romaan

French DJ and music producer Romaan‘s creativity and reach is remarkable. With releases on top tier labels like Sirup Music and COYA Music and performances all over the world from London to Riyadh, his impressive sound and style doesn’t go unnoticed.

Now preparing new bangers to be released in the coming months, we asked him more about his creative process, what keeps him inspired and which steps he follows when producing a new track. Check out our interview with Romaan below.

Hi Romaan! How are you?

Hello! I’m very well, thanks! I am very happy to answer your questions.

We want to know more about your creative process, where do you usually find inspiration?

I listen to a lot of different music, which allows me to be inspired in different ways. I pay attention to what is around me, the music in the shops, a person humming next to me, old music in a film or documentary.

What other activities besides music making help you get inspired?

Actually, all activities can inspire me. Doing sports can give me an idea, doing the dishes, cleaning, everything is subject to inspiration.

And strangely enough, the best inspiring activity for me is rest. When I decide to rest, just on my bed closing my eyes or on my couch starting a book, I can have an idea and come up with a few notes or build a rhythm right away. This can be seen as a form of inspirational meditation.

Do you usually follow the same formula when producing a track?

In most cases yes, but I’m not very disciplined to be honest. I write as I go, so it’s almost never the same starting formula.  

What’s your favorite part of a track to work on?

The groove! The bass and rhythm forming the groove, that’s the best part of a song for me.

How does technology play its part in helping you with your creative processes?

It’s amazing what you can do nowadays with certain software.

You can deconstruct an existing song for example, taking rhythmic parts, vocals, etc., which gives you extra inspiration to create something new. This is the basis of sampling which has existed since the digital age but we can go much further today with today’s technology. The plugins are also getting better and simpler, which leads to a more efficient workflow.

Have you changed something in your workflow recently? 

I’m starting to organise myself better (after 15 years lol).

I’m writing down more and more things about the plugins I use for example, I’m creating starting templates according to the style of the song, which I didn’t do before.

What has been the best change or implementation you made to your workflow in music production or in your creative process and how has that changed the way you make music?

Well, I use sample management software which I have to say has changed the way I compose in the last few years. It makes it much more fluid and comfortable to work with. You don’t waste so much time going through your files that you have sorted out beforehand. Now I have direct access to what I’m looking for and that changes everything for creativity.

What do you do to help you overcome an obstacle while producing a track?

I listen to something else that might inspire me and help me find a solution, or I stop and come back to it the next day with a fresh head.

What would you say is the most important thing to keep in mind when starting a new creative project?

Have fun!

Listen to his latest single Release Yourself below

More from Interviews

---

Editor Picks

---