Dannic talks Breda, Asia return, the ego and his new Fonk’d up label

If it wasn’t for the big moniker we’re familiar with, one would have thought the phrase “Don’t panic, listen to Dannic!” comes straight from some fresh-faced, self-taught bedroom producer’s Twitter bio.

Obviously, that’s not the case.

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It’s what fans of Daan Romers, aka Dannic see everyday browsing his social media feed. Experience and wisdom don’t take away the fun for the 31-year-old beatmaker behind “Clobber”, “Kontiki” and “Music”, who’s now ranked among the cream of big room house producers.

That much is clear as we joined the Breda-based producer for a short interview when he wrapped up his Asia tour in Taiwan. But of course that’s not the only thing Dannic is about…

 

Let’s settle this once and for all: is Breda (Dannic, Tiësto and Hardwell’s hometown in the Netherlands) the breeding ground for top DJs or what?

We like to say there is something in the water 😉.

In your opinion, who or what is responsible for bringing the EDM experience to the masses?

Guys that have completely changed the scene like Tiësto, Armin van Buuren and Hardwell have all contributed to that. But events like Tomorrowland and Electric Daisy Carnival, for example, are also creating these big productions like no other on the planet. So that has really added another dimension to the live music.

What are the most interesting developments happening in the industry now?

I think it’s great to see things like Virtual Reality being embraced and experimented with across a lot of different genres.

With all your unrelenting tour schedule, how do you keep it together ~enough~ to get any new material or other work done?

Haha, good question! With a lot of sleeping on planes and looking after myself both mentally and physically. I have a great tour manager and team around me and living back in Europe helps, being able to see my family and things.

How would you describe the relationship between your music and the audience here in Asia?

I always get such a warm welcome in Asia. The crowds really get the sound. I’m merging big room styles with a groove that is made for the dance floor, and Asia is a brilliant place to showcase that!

You’ve already performed at Tomorrowland, where else would you love to play in 2017?

Electric Daisy Carnival is always super fun and Sunburn Festival (Pune, India) where I played at the end of the year would be great to recreate in 2017!

Would you say music is bigger than any ego involved or does the ego drive you to produce the right music?

Music should be bigger than the ego, always.

Let’s talk Fonk Recordings. What does Fonk means? How did the label come about?

Fonk Recordings releases stuff that has that funky, grooving sound, which is where the name came from, to “fonk it up”! I started it to release music from the talents who I discovered online or sent me demos. It’s my own project to focus on, to give back something.

Who are the rising talents we should be on the lookout for in 2017?

My boys Merk & Kremont are doing really well. I think 2017 will be their year.

Listen to Dannic’s big room collaboration with the Milan duo here.

How do you write music? Walk us through the Dannic procedure.

It really varies, sometimes I’ll write a melody first or get an idea in my head, sometimes I’ll work with a vocalist on some lyrics or a topline before bringing everything together.

What can we expect from you this year? Any teasers?

I’ve been working on music for the new year but some of these are still in the early stages, so no previews yet! I also have a very special collaboration coming in 2017 – but I can’t say much more!