German DJ/producer Marc Romboy has been making big waves over the last 6 months. He owns the influential techno label Systematic, and following the release of his second full-length record Contrast, he’s been touring the world to support it. Romboy started out as a DJ in the early 90s and made quick progress, to the point where he was running the incredibly popular Le Petit Prince very soon after that. Since then he has notched up high profile collaborations, started the Systematic label in 2004 and toured the world pushing his own flavor of techno, infused with house and electro.

He hits Australia for the second time this month and reveals that, well – he’s quite looking forward to it actually. Marc Romboy talks to ITM about creating that unmistakable soulful contrast with dancefloor techno.

2009 has started well for you, a great Essential Mix and the Contrast Remixes coming out on your label Systematic. You’ve been in the business for over a decade now though, how has this year felt for you so far?

Yeah, I’m more than happy. Although I’m doing this for a while now it’s still becoming more and more exciting. It’s a wonderful experience to visit and see all these different places and get to know people! But at the end, I again recognize that we all speak the same language called techno and house music, which is great. Yes, the Contrast remixes are doing excellent, I’m glad to see how the feedback is. The record includes my first collaboration with Dimitri Andreas, a producer who has my highest respect.

Tell us what Australian audiences can expect when they see you on tour.

Well, I’m pretty much looking forward to come to you guys for the second time now. After the first time when Future Entertainment and Daniel Theuma have organized a great and diverse tour, I was definitely up for a second time. The crowds in Melbourne and Sydney impressed me a lot – the parties at Brown Alley and Chinese Laundry were unforgettable, outstanding crazy!

I have just finished two new singles, one with my buddy Blake Baxter again which is called Where Would You Be? and one debut release with Smokin Jo from London. Both releases are quite housey and soulful but of course ass kickin’[laughs].

Your collaborations with Stephan Bodzin have been superb. Do you two plan to work together again soon?

Yeah, we have made seven singles and one mini album so far and it’s an outstanding and mental time to join him and make music with him. I really don’t know what is always happening in the studio between the two of us but it must be something special. Still, when I listen to our tracks like Callisto and Hyperion for example, the water can be seen in my eyes – crazy! We have just released a mini album called 6 Monde on Systematic Recordings and you can get in every well selected online store like iTunes and Beatport for example and yes, further tracks will of course follow sooner or later.

In fact, collaboration is a major part of your working method isn’t it? Why is that, and how is the production process different to working solo for you?

Do you like to party on your own? No? That’s exactly the reason why I love collaborations. I love to divide my fun and passion when I do a track. Besides this I’m not a vocalist, I’m a DJ and music producer. People like Blake Baxter and Chelonis R. Jones are wonderful and very talented singer and songwriters – why not work with them when it’s possible? Do you think 50 Cent and P Diddy are doing everything on their own? Ha, ha, of course not.

Tell us about your background. You were born in Dusseldorf right?

Yes, that’s correct. Dusseldorf is the hometown of the famous German electro band Kraftwerk which has inspired everybody who is doing electronic music. My first record was by these guys. The atmosphere of the city is awesome, a nice mixture of metropolitan and village, in the heart of Europe. Lots of good musicians are coming from the area, like Tocadisco and Loco Dice in example.

Out of all the sounds, why do you gravitate to tech house?

Well, this music fascinates and kicks me again and again and again. It’s my life. There is an electronic loop playing all the time in my brain. God has made this happen. I cannot explain why. It is what it is and I’m happy with this.

Systematic must keep you very busy! Having said that, it must present a very good platform for you. Tell us about the setup of the label and what it represents to you now. What is the label’s aim/philosophy?

The label has been set up almost five years with the release of my collaboration with Arno and Walter from Booka Shade. The label was the product of a kind of musical midlife crises I had at the time. I was pretty bored with monotone trance and techno loop music which was hip at this point of time. I wanted to listen to and produce slower, groovier and soulful electronic music with value and the idea for Systematic came up. That’s it. The label stands for my current musical taste and should be a professional platform for professional music producers with soulful music.

What’s coming up for Systematic?

Good that you are asking. We will release the second Chelonis R. Jones album by the end of April. I’m very proud of this one. It’s called Chatterton and there is also a new single out called Pompadour with remixes from my friend Gorge from 8 Bit and the crazy Polish guys from Catz n’ Dogz. Besides that I’m extremely busy with setting up a huge project to celebrate the five year jubilee of Systematic Recordings. There will be a record box compilation out with many different artists and friends involved. Get surprised! It’s a fantastic collection of music, believe me.

And last, but not least, what are your plans for 2009?

I want to do a bunch of singles and by the end of the year I want to start my third album. A couple of tours are waiting for me and I also want to make some nice holiday time with my family please.

Marc Romboy tour dates…

Thursday 9th Apr – Likes Of You, Melbourne
Friday 10th Apr – Velvet Underground, Cairns
Sunday 12th Apr – Sins On Sunday, Geelong (Afternoon)
Sunday 12th Apr – Easter Teknival 09, The Cross, Sydney (Evening)