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Romeo Blanco’s introduction into the industry has Sony Music, Warner Music, Armada Music, Spinnin’ Records and Flamingo Records alike bowing to the effervescent dialect of his floor-filling studio work. True to his name, Blanco has successfully seduced the industry with a delectable sound and has continued to prove himself a worthy member of Electronic Music Aristocracy. Despite being a late riser, as far as Europe’s Electronic music legacy is concerned, the emotive resonance of Blanco’s songs are already making positive marks on the modern industry and its key players. From fateful Flamingo Recordings debut ‘Galactica’ to the lucid Tïesto-endorsed follow-up ‘Universal Love,’ Fedde Le Grand’s eye for fresh-faced talent drove an instantaneous surge of positive energy into the young producers club-credibility. Have a listen to Blanco’s latest release with Henri PFR, ‘In The Mood,’ featuring Veronica
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SunCity Paradise: Kicking it off with your home of Belgium, what really stands out and makes it special to you? Where would you send a first-time visitor to get a real sense of the land?
Romeo Blanco: I’ve been touring all the world with my music, but it always feels special when I’m back home in Belgium. It’s so much smaller than almost any other country I’ve been to, which makes it feel like a small town and one family. Everywhere I go in Belgium I see a familiar face. My home base is in Antwerp, so I would say the first place to visit is there. You have such a diverse variety of things to see, feel and taste from the old days, to the new and trendy.
SCP: What was your first real exposure to music? How did you get inspired to create your own and eventually pursue it as a career?
RB: When I was 14 years old, I was already playing old-techno vinyl with my friends chilling on the couch in a dark attic somewhere in my hometown. Vibing on the beats of Carl Cox and Frankie Knuckles. I always had a craving to make those records myself. I wanted to have my name on the vinyl that I was playing. So, that’s the point I started experimenting and learning about how I could create and produce my own music.
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SCP: To create music, and traveling to promote it, must be such a feeling. What’s the most impactful and meaningful part you cherish about it? Does the travel help inspirationally?
RB: It sure does. Seeing all the different kind of cultures makes any human have more respect for our home planet and why we need to take care of it. I’ve been to so many places, I can hardly count how many countries I’ve visited. The downside of this is that I’m constantly on the move, not getting a lot of sleep and always having a different daily rhythm. This doesn’t benefit your health, so I always try to be as healthy as possible on tour. Eating well, enough sleep and not too much alcohol when I play is what helps me to keep doing what I do.
SCP: What’s one stark difference between traveling as an artist versus personal travel?
RB: When I travel as an artist, I almost don’t have time to go sightseeing or enjoy a country the fullest. I’m always on the move. It’s usually from the airport to the hotel to the club and back to another city. But then again, it’s the best job in the world you can do. I get paid to travel and see the world. What more can I wish for!
SCP: When searching for a personal getaway, are you looking for a serene beach or after a more active, adventurous getaway? Why?
RB: Due to my busy lifestyle, a calm and tropical beach would suit me best. Relaxing in the sand with the sound of the waves in the background and a light sea breeze hitting my skin. Just perfect! But, I’m also into the more extreme stuff. Snowboarding, skydiving, you name it. Just finding a good balance between the two is key for me.
SCP: Everyone has a list of places that they still have to hit. What are three destinations, either work or pleasure, that you need to see? Why?
RB: One place: Bora Bora. Just look it up on google and you’ll know why.
SCP: One of our core objectives at SCP is to bring people together while traveling, not only to influence people to see and appreciate our beautiful world, but to also minimize cross-cultural divides. What effect does traveling, specifically surrounding dance music, have on humans in this regard? How has it broadened your perspective of the world?
RB: The most positive thing about touring is that you meet so many different kind of people. I do believe nobody would be racist towards another if you were touring as much as me. You get to appreciate all the different cultures and tastes the world has to offer. I don’t see us as all different kinds of people, but as one. I also try to bring that feeling to every one of my shows.
SCP: When you’re relaxing on a beach or just have some downtime are you listening to music? Do you like to switch up the genre you listen to? If so, to what?
RB: Basically everything that inspires me, gets me relaxed or makes me feel something. Everything from hip hop to classical, from rock to singer-songwriter. It’s not bound to any genre.
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SCP: What are some travel essentials you need to help through long transit?
RB: I have a big iPad where I have all my movies and shows I like to watch, and of course a Nintendo Switch that keeps me from getting bored on airplanes. Other than that, not much. All you need is just a lot of patience while waiting in airports. I always try to make it as comfortable as possible, and I try not to stress when a delay occurs.
SCP: Lastly, as festival season in full swing, what else do the next couple of months have in store for you?
RB: As you can imagine, summers in Europe are crazy. I’m touring all around Europe trough the summer, but there will also be a South American tour in august. After the summer I’ll be back touring Asia. I can’t say too much for what’s in store, but what I can say is that people can expect a follow up for ‘In The Mood.’ I have a lot of songs on hold. I’m just waiting for the right time to release them. I know for sure that something as big as ‘In The Mood’ is in there. I will also soon release new club songs, maybe some alert fans have already heard a few in some sets of mine, which I played to test out. People will also see some collaborations appear with people who I believe are truly talented.
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For more on Romeo Blanco visit his website:
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