Marc Romboy is an oustanding musician and label boss, but that is widely known. What When We Dip attested during this pleasant chat is that he is also a fantastic person. In this interview we talked about leisure activities, beliefs, music philosophy and of course, Systematic Recordings which now releases a pack of remixes for Marc’s huge collaboration with Stephan Bodzin ‘Kerberos’ including interpretations by André Hommen, Matador and another talent combination by Solomun and Johannes Brecht. Check the previews and buy the EP right here.
WWD: It’s an honour to have you here, Marc.
Marc: Oh, the honour is mine.
WWD: So, where are you currently based?
Marc: Oh, I’m usually between Dusseldorf and Mönchengladbach, my birth city, but mostly at Mönchengladbach which is where I actually live. But when in Germany, I usually go to Berlin a lot, play Watergate and stuff…
WWD: But you prefer to keep a certain distance from the hustle and bustle of the capital?
Marc: Yes. It really helps me focus on my creative projects… You know, being away from all the distractions.
WWD: So that’s also where you like to enjoy your free time?
Marc: Free time? Which free time?! Hahaha I just try to spend as much time with my family as possible.
WWD: OK, let’s go back to the early days of Systematic… What would you say has pushed you towards creating it?
Marc: You know, before Systematic, I founded another label back in 1993. It was called ‘Le Petit Prince’ and I ran it with a friend called Klaus Derichs. Back in those days electronic was very fast-paced and hard… Trance was on the spotlight but I never felt that it really suited me. I wanted to make music I felt really connected with, regardless of being commercial or not.
WWD: So you were already in the music scene by that time?
Marc: Yeah, It all started during college. I was studying medicine but passion for music grew really strong inside me by that time so my path changed… Music is the air I breathe, my power to survive!
WWD: … And when did Stephan step into your life and you to his?
Marc: Stephan Bodzin and I were an instant connection. We shared the same views and perceptions regarding music quality… A few months after the creation of ‘Le Petit Prince’ I got a demo from him, from a project he had with Oliver Huntemann, called ‘Caunos’, it was our first contact.
WWD: So Systematic was the natural evolution of things?
Marc: Yeah, with our musical evolution through the years in 2004 Systematic was born with a first EP by me and Stephan being called ‘Luna’ and it couldn’t have any other name since Stephan’s wife and my first daughter are named after this. Really meaningful.
WWD: About your gigs now… How do you prepare for them?
Marc: People usually expect to hear my own music so I try to conduct my performances that way, eventually playing music from good friends with which I think my music clicks with, like Patrice Bäumel and Rodriguez Jr. But I’m preparing something…
WWD: That goes straight into our next question… What are up to? What’s next?
Marc: Actually I’ve been spending a lot of time in the studio preparing my live show which I intend to release in early 2019, possibly in Paris. That’s why I’ve been trying to slow down the touring in recent times… All of my efforts are dedicated to that right now and I think it’s going to be great!
WWD: We are sure of it! Thank you very much for your time!
Marc: Thank you guys! My pleasure 🙂