{"id":1469,"date":"2015-06-12T15:38:57","date_gmt":"2015-06-12T15:38:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/?p=1469"},"modified":"2015-06-15T14:36:43","modified_gmt":"2015-06-15T14:36:43","slug":"catching-up-with-dannic-exclusive-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/catching-up-with-dannic-exclusive-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"Catching Up With Dannic – An Exclusive Interview"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dannic<\/a>, the highly prodigious DJ and producer from Breda in the Netherlands \u2013 the hometown of Ti\u00ebsto and Hardwell – is one of the hottest acts to have emerged from the new generation of Dutch artists breaking through in recent years. His phenomenal rise of 44 places to take the #30 spot in the 2014 Top 100 DJ Poll confirms to tastemakers that he is set to remain a driving force within the scene. Debuting in the 2013 edition of the Top 100 DJs Poll at #74, forcing his way to the forefront of the booming electronic scene, Dannic has managed to cast off previous associations and step forward as a respected artist in his own right, repeatedly blowing away fans with a slew of sensational releases, collaborations and of course, titanic DJ shows. We caught up with him for an interview before his June 12th show in Chicago.<\/p>\n

What’s up Dannic! Thanks for taking the time to meet with us. Let’s\u00a0kick things off by telling us a little bit about yourself and what you do.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“My name is Daan Romers aka Dannic and I\u2019m a producer and DJ originally from Breda in The Netherlands!”<\/p>\n

Awesome! How would you describe your sound to people who haven’t heard your music?<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Energetic, progressive and euphoric \u2013 making people happy on the dance floor is the most important thing I can achieve with my music.”<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve been quoted as saying, \u201cIt\u2019s funny because a lot of people know me as a producer but I like to see myself as a DJ who started producing\u201d. Can you elaborate on your transition from a DJ to producer and the impact it had on your career\/life?<\/strong><\/p>\n

“I started out spinning tunes in Breda in a little bar called Bar Janssen before I perfected my technique and learnt all the technical names and practices in the studio. The music that I was playing out in these bars and clubs was just straight up passionate, no matter what the genre. I was also very experimental back then, playing a lot of hip hop and soul sounds as well as dance music. It\u2019s not that the transition was difficult, it was just applying different skills and pushing myself to be the best I could at both producing and DJ\u2019ing.”<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve come a long way since releasing your first solo track, \u201cDoster\u201d even though this wasn\u2019t even all that long ago. How have you dealt with the increasing success and fame?<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Yeah, \u2018Doster\u2019 was my first Revealed Recordings release but I\u2019ve also had tracks out on CR2 and I recently did a remix that was released on Armada, which I was so honored to do. I don\u2019t think of myself as \u2018famous\u2019 as I can still walk down the street without getting stopped for autographs and pictures every five minutes but I think with the level of success I’ve had, it\u2019s important to keep yourself grounded by surrounding yourself with those you trust.”<\/p>\n

To piggyback off the last question, you debuted at #74 in the 2013 Top 100 DJ Poll before climbing to the #30 spot last year. Do you have your sights set on #1 this time around?<\/strong><\/p>\n

“I was so happy to make such a big leap up the poll last year! The thought of becoming #1 hadn\u2019t even entered my head as Robbert (Hardwell) is the current #1 but to make it in the poll is an honor in itself, if I was to rise any higher I would be elated!”<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve seen the teaser video for your new single with Bright Lights, “Forever.” Let us be the first to say that the song sounds amazing and the video looks absolutely insane! Do you have anything else in store for fans this year?<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Thanks! I\u2019m glad you enjoyed it! I\u2019m going into the studio over in LA this Summer to work with some exciting names \u2013 I can\u2019t quite reveal exactly who yet \u2013 and I\u2019m also looking forward to heading back to Belgium to play the Tomorrowland main stage next month and back out to Ibiza! The fun never stops!”<\/p>\n

Tell us a little bit more about \u201cFront of House.\u201d What inspired you to create the TV\/radio show? What has been your favorite part of the show?<\/strong><\/p>\n

“I wanted to offer fans a look behind the scenes from my personal point of view, rather than a typical event aftermovie which just scratches the surface. For the next episode, we\u2019re actually doing what I think is our biggest and best production yet, we\u2019re releasing a three-part mini-documentary and including old footage from when I was little, with my parents and my sister also being interviewed for it which allows the audience to see a side of me they never have before\u2013 let\u2019s just hope they don\u2019t reveal anything too embarrassing, haha!”<\/p>\n

What has been your favorite part of your musical career?<\/strong><\/p>\n

“I couldn\u2019t pick one single favorite if I tried! My first Beatport #1 was a highlight without a doubt and again, my debut set on the Tomorrowland main stage was something I\u2019ll never forget.”<\/p>\n

Who has been your favorite artist to work with?<\/strong><\/p>\n

“It\u2019s always a joy to collaborate with a friend such as Robbert (Hardwell) but I\u2019ve also worked with Bright Lights on vocals before with \u2018Dear Life\u2019, as well as my new track \u2018Forever\u2019 \u2013 but I think each artist I collaborate with brings something different to the table. When I jumped in the studio with Shermanology last year on \u2018Wait For You\u2019 we bounced ideas back and forth before coming up with the final melody and vocal, you just never know the direction these things are going to take.”<\/p>\n

Tell us something that people don\u2019t know about you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“I am SO not a morning person but I think I can blame that on all the late nights! I\u2019m also a sucker for some Motown which surprises a lot of people, maybe it\u2019s because they\u2019re used to these huge, banging tunes surrounded by cannons and productions coming from me that people don\u2019t think outside of the bubble.”<\/p>\n

You can catch Dannic while he’s in Chicago at Soundbar on Friday, June 12th. Tickets are available here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n