Earlier in September, Ultra finally debuted in Taiwan with the world’s top spinners. Among the top-notch names is this multi-talent producer and artist from the Netherlandsβ Nicky Romero. Here, Romero discusses his process of production, the festivals he’s looking forward to, his zeal for Skrillex, Hardwell’s situation and more.
Nick Rotteveel van Gotum is widely known by his stage name as Nicky Romero. He is one of the world’s top DJs. Besides playing at many big festivals around the world, Romero is also aΒ record producer, remixer, musician and the founder of internationally-recognised record label Protocol Recordings. He rose to prominence with the release of “Toulouse” which is considered as his biggest hit so far. Just recently, Romero has dropped a new upbeat track that is definitely going to lit up the dance floorβ “Paradise” (Nicky Romero & Deniz Koyu ft. Walk off the Earth). (Listen to the track, below).
Recently, Nicky Romero was billed to be the mainstager at the debut of Ultra Taiwan. Undoubtedly, the set was beyond lit. This Dutch DJ just pull it off impeccably (as always). And it was at this EDM party extravaganza that AsiaLive365 got a chance to catch up with this talented spinner. Here, Nicky Romero revealed to us all his records and radio shows production, the festivals he’d love to play next, Protocol Recordings stage at Tomorrowland, his catch up with Hardwell and more.
![Nicky Romero Interview](https://asialive365.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/nickyromero.jpg)
Β©AsiaLive365
How can you manage to produce new tracks and radio shows when you are constantly on the move?
There are the few tricks that we do. Itβs really hard to have all the things you want when you are constantly travelling. So what I do is Iβll sometimes record an extra radio show on one day so we can make sure that weβll have the radio show that can still air when Iβm physically somewhere else. So sometimes weβll ask our guest to come a week early so that we can do everything like the whole set. Weβll do the whole radio show and weβll record an extra social to broadcast like in two weeks when Iβm travelling. Thatβs what I do.
And when it comes to music, I do a lot of setups on my laptop. And I usually let them finish songs and leave them on my laptop and then, Iβll send it back to the studio to my co-producers that work in my studio. They have all my sounds, my pre-sets and everything and they will run it through and then theyβll send it back to me and Iβll be doing the final changes. Thatβs how we finish a song. So I have a little bit of help in the studio to finish the songs.Β
![Nicky Romero Interview](https://asialive365.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/38518045_2069604873084236_8075320441046040576_n.jpg)
Β©Nicky Romero’s official Facebook
English is probably the most common language used for the vocal part of songs. Given that there are so many different languages in Asia, is there any particular one that you would love to work on with?
Wow. Well, I think Mandarin is one of the biggest languages. So I think, making songs in Mandarin would make the most sense because youβll achieve the most people. But other than that I also have to think about my fanbase in Japan which is big as well. So I would do it in Mandarin and Japanese, I think.
With the growth of electronic music in Asia, has it been affecting DJs’ tour schedules?
Well, we do a lot of more touring in Asia right now than we did before which is great because now we get to see a little bit more of the world. We got to see the cultures here in Asia. And I think itβs great to see like how polite people in Asia are in general. So yeah, for us, itβs really refreshing to be here.
We spoke to a lot of DJs about their Back-to-Back sets. We would like to know whether is there anyone in your mind that you would really love to play a B2B set with?Β
Itβd be Skrillex. Iβm a really big fan of him.Β
![](https://asialive365.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/14358985_1233018413417038_5110175207203499321_n.jpg)
Β©Skrillex’s official Facebook
You have performed at most of the festivals’ main stage. Which festivalβs main stage are you looking to perform next?
Iβm really happy with the Ultra that we do now. So Iβll definitely be supporting the Ultra shows. Well, there are so many good festivals that itβs hard to name one. You know. Tomorrowland is great. Creamfields was great last year and EDC and Mysteryland. Well, and the list goes on. Everyone of them is great.
![Ultra Taiwan 2018](https://asialive365.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20180908-200509-Rudgrcom-9262-2048px-1024x576.jpg)
Β©Ultra Taiwan
Is there any possibility that we’ll get to see you or the Protocol Recording hosting a stage at Tomorrowland in the near future?
Itβs in the pipeline. So we are working on it. The thing about Tomorrowland is that there are a lot of great artists that host their stages for a long time and I think if thereβs like a spot free, that we are gonna get that spot hopefully. Because I think that the Tomorrowland guys are being supportive about us doing our own stage. So yeah, if thereβs a space, weβll definitely want one.
Is there any chance that we’ll see NickyΒ Romero hitting the road with a solo world tour?Β
I feel like I still need more of really big singles in order to do a solo tour. If I do it, I wanna do it right, you know. I wanna make sure that we can play at very cool venues. So until that moment arrives, Iβll make sure that I work on music music music until weβll do the big solo tour.Β
![Nicky Romero Interview](https://asialive365.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/37546757_2039863549391702_5969519317509734400_n-1.jpg)
Β©Nicky Romero’s official Facebook
Any advice for new DJs and producers on how to handle stress and how to noticeΒ the depression?
I spoke to Hardwell yesterday (Sep 8). I think itβs not about the negative energy. Itβs just about heβs been focusing on his music for so long now for twelve years thirteen years to constantly working on his career and maybe itβs time for him to also spend some time on his family on his friends and being home, enjoy life for a little bit without touring a lot. I think itβs really a smart decision, a good decision. And I think that the fact that he stands up itβs really important to the music industry. We saw Avicii, what happened to him itβs nothing comparable I hope and I think with Hardwell, he just wants to focus on spending some quality time I think. But yes, it said something about the pressure within the music industry. Itβs really demanding you know. Thereβs a reason why so many people have a hard time maintaining this lifestyle. Because constantly travelling, jet lag, you know, the pressure from the outside world. There are so much going on all the time that sometimes it feels like you are missing out of life for a little bit and you have to focus on yourself for a bit. Itβs really important I think.
![](https://asialive365.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/hardwell-1.jpg)
Β©Hardwell’s official Facebook
Stay connected with Nicky Romero onΒ Youtube,Β Instagram,Β TwitterΒ andΒ Facebook.
Special thanks toΒ Ultra Taiwan.