Tony Romera first stepped onto the scene 10 years ago as a fresh-faced 20-year-old looking to make waves and disrupt the electronic music world with his unique style and French-house inspired beats. Since then, he’s been busy releasing music and experimenting with different sounds and styles, putting out music on a range of powerhouse labels and gaining support from the likes of Diplo, DJ Snake, Skrillex, Tiesto, Deadmau5, and many more.
In this exclusive interview, we dive into Tony’s latest single, “House Y’all,” exploring the inspiration behind the track and how it reflects his current artistic vision. We also touch on his evolution as an artist, the influence of French-house on his music, his creative process, and the invaluable support of industry giants. Join us as we delve into the world of Tony Romera, a talent who continues to shape the electronic music landscape with his unwavering dedication and infectious beats.
Congratulations on your latest single, “House Y’all.” Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this track and what sets it apart from your previous releases?
Thank you so much !! Yeah I was listening to some old albums and I wanted to make something with a 90’s hip hop vibe vocal and to turn it into tech house to fit in my sets. I’ve been playing it in my sets since a while, everytime the crowd loves it, super happy to release this one!!
You’ve been in the electronic music scene for a decade now. How has your style evolved since you first started, and what elements of French-house still influence your music today?
Yeah it’s been 15 years already, and it’s fun to see I’m still inspired by the first electronic music I heard a long time ago. Sometimes I’m digging into my old CD files, and I always find some similarities with my actual tracks. French-House is in my blood since I’m a kid, so I’d say the groovy part of this genre, especially the drum grooves still inspires me a lot.
“House Y’all” has a distinct character with its warped bassline and relentless beats. What was your creative process like when producing this track, and how do you think it reflects your current artistic vision?
I wanted the bassline to follow the vocal, so I took my TB-303 and made this, then I added some groovy and powerful tech house drums. It’s pretty simple but sometimes, simple things are super effective. I tested the track on a lot of my shows and arranged details to make it even more effective on a crowd, and here we are ! Haha
You’ve received support from numerous renowned artists in the industry. How does it feel to have the recognition and respect of artists like Diplo, Skrillex, and DJ Snake, and how has their support influenced your musical journey?
It’s always an incredible feeling being supported by the artists you’ve listened to since your beginnings. I had the chance to work with the 3 incredible artists you mentioned over the years, and it’s still hard for me to realize. They helped me a lot, and I can’t thank them enough for it!
Your remix of “Raw” was a standout track for Toolroom in 2022. Can you share your approach to remixing and how you put your unique spin on tracks from other artists?
I’ve been playing the original song super often since 2009, and it was always working great on the crowds. Last year I played it but I felt like the drums needed a bit of a 2022 lifting, so I just sampled the little perc, and remade everything around it. And when I tested it for the first time in Orleans, in front of 50k people, it worked great, so I decided to contact Toolroom and the original artists about it, and the rest is history !
You’ve become an integral part of the Toolroom family in recent years. What is it about the label that resonates with you, and how has your collaboration with them impacted your career?
I’ve been following the label since my beginnings, I always played some Toolroom stuff in my sets. I remember seeing Mark Knight playing in my hometown when I was 18 or 19, I was so impressed and it inspired me a lot. Today, I’m sooo happy to be part of this incredible and super talented family, and we have so much more stuff to release in the futur… I can’t wait !!
“House Y’all” transports listeners deep into the underground. What message or emotions do you hope to convey to your audience through this track?
I just want people to let the house guide their bodies, and to think about nothing but dancing.
Can you give us a glimpse into your upcoming plans and projects for the remainder of the year? Are there any exciting collaborations or events on the horizon that your fans should look forward to?
I have a lot of music to release as I’m always working hard in the studio. This summer was full of incredible shows, and it seems like the rest of the year will be the same so I’m super excited. I have some collaborations with awesome artists like Low Steppa, Matt Sassari, Havoc & Lawn and more, and I hope we’ll release these soon !
Lastly, as an artist with a decade of experience, what advice would you give to aspiring electronic music producers who are looking to make their mark in the industry?
I think the most important thing is to be patient. It takes a while, just work all day everyday, don’t rush and trust the process. And of course, never give up even if it’s hard mentally sometimes, if you’re determined and if you always work, you’ll be able to make everything you want.