What’s next for you in terms of music? Any other singles coming up in 2014?
Nicky Romero: I’ve got to keep it all under wraps for a little longer, but I promise you I am going to be putting that Protocol sound out there in a big way!
How are things going on your studio album? Anything you can tell us about it? Does it have a release date?
Nicky Romero: Things are going well, but I want it to be perfect. I have a lot going on at the moment, and the last thing I want to do it rush it. You will just have to hang on for a little longer!
You released your Protocol ADE 2014 compilation last month. How long did it take for you to put it together and how did you choose the tracks?
Nicky Romero: I chose tracks that I think perfectly represent our Protocol sound. I wanted to create a collection of energetic and powerful songs that would be the perfect soundtrack to people’s ADE experience. I am a little bit of a perfectionist so it did take me some time to do, but it was worth it as I am really happy with the outcome!
How do you balance touring and being on road with making new music in the studio?
Nicky Romero: Well, I try to allocate the beginnings of the week to putting as much time as possible into the studio, as most shows happen towards the end of the week or on the weekends. The balance is always different depending on my tour schedule.
When you’re not in the studio making music or on the road touring, what do you do in your spare time?
Nicky Romero: Sounds a little boring, but I really love to just chill out and kick back with friends when I can. I love to play video games and catch up on TV shows. My lifestyle is super exhausting, so I really appreciate the down time when it comes around.
You get to travel all around the world to play shows. Is there anything in particular that you love about New York that you can’t find anywhere else?
Nicky Romero: New York is one of the best cities in the world, hands down! I love the hotdog stands! [Laughs] There are so many amazing aspects of NYC. I love the diversity, the shopping, and the vibe in general! It’s awesome.
We know you’re into video games, so have you checked out the new Call of Duty yet? If so, what do you think about it?
Nicky Romero: Yeah, I actually just recently got myself a copy. I love the Call of Duty series, they just get better and better.
A lot of EDM artists are moving away from the typical/more commercial sounds that are associated the genre – do you think that this is going to become more of a trend, with more and more artists trying to produce more outside the box music and stay away from what we’re used to hearing?
Nicky Romero: Music is always evolving and changing, so I can imagine that artists will try to be “outside the box” and try new things. I think it’s important for artists to have their own sound, as there is so much music out there and it gets so tiring when everything sounds the same! I get sent music, which sounds exactly like existing material. When that happens I’m just like, “why do what’s already been done?”
How did you become associated with the Guy Fawkes mask, where did that all start? Was it with the Toulouse music video? And what does the mask mean to you?
Nicky Romero: I started off wearing the mask because I thought it looked pretty dope, and somewhat mysterious. I was new on the scene, and it made me stand out from other acts. Over time the mask itself has become a symbol of protest movements, and what I was going for was a kind of symbol for a dance revolution.
That concludes our interview, but we’d like to thank Nicky Romero very much for talking with us. Be sure to check out his new single, “Let Me Feel,” below.