[Artist Profile] Sean Roman is a Canadian producer and DJ who has released on labels such as Hot Waves, My Favorite Robot, Top Billin’, Outcross and Neim, to name a few. We’ve been tipped on to this guy from several friends (and obviously through his music), so we suggest you get acquainted with this man. From drum n bass to house, he’s got his production down, including collaboration work with his group called White Lions. There is much to come from this up-and-comer as you will find out in this exclusive interview with Sean Roman.

SoundCloud

Twitter

Interview with Sean Roman:

Where are you from and where do you live now?

 I’m was born and raised in Toronto, Canada and that’s where I currently reside.

How was the music scene growing up? How has it influenced your music and shaped you into the producer/dj you are today?

 When I was growing up I was really into punk music. Then around 12-13 years old I heard drum’n’bass for the first time and I was hooked. Then I started going to raves when I was around 16 and getting exposed to all these different genre’s of dance/electronic music. Toronto had a huge rave scene in the 90’s, massive parties with thousands of people flocking to them every weekend. It was a really cool time.

Initially when I started producing my own music I was making drum’n’bass and jungle (Toronto had a huge drum’n’bass scene at one time), and I actually got pretty well known internationally for it as Mutt.
Latest tracks by mutt aka Sean Roman
Then about 5 years ago I really started getting into house music through friends and listening to artists like Moodymann and Henrik Schwarz, which led me to dig and dig and get into boogie and disco and other types of house…

How is the music scene where you live today?

The music scene is pretty dope, I think right now Toronto has been has been really on point in terms of the artists coming out of here…acts like Azari & III, Art Department, My Favorite Robot, James Teej, and Basic Soul Unit have all come up in the last little bit to make a huge impact internationally, and they’ve all really put Toronto on the map because of it. It’s really paved the way for new jacks like me!

When did music production become a serious part of your life? When did you know that you were going to continue on doing this professionally?

Hmmm, I guess music has always been a pretty important part of my life, even when I was a kid I was into playing the guitar and stuff. But in terms of doing the music thing professionally I sort of fell into it by accident. I never really planned on trying to make a go of it, I just was always making music in my spare time and people just started noticing.

Do you prefer to work alone or do you like to do collaborations?

 I like both, no real preference really. Just a different vibe both ways. Right now I’m working on a really cool group project called White Lions with a couple of good friends/producers Cody and Rob Steel, we have been doing the group for a year and a bit now and one of our tracks “DePalma”, which came out on My Favorite Robot, was just featured on the Jamie Jones Fabric Mix. We also have another track called “H-Job” coming out on My Favorite Robot in the new year. I hope that answers your question on collabs haha…

How important is where one lives for a career in music production?

Pretty important I think, when you live in a city with a lot of different artists and venues to get your music out there its forces you to be the best you can be…also you get exposed to a lot of cool music and people you would probably never meet if you lived in a place with no real scene.

What advice would you give to aspiring producers?

I think the only advice I can give aspiring producers is don’t be afraid of doing your own thing…every artist and musician I respect and admire wasn’t afraid to do their own thing and it pays off (provided your actually talented!)

Can you tell us one record or song that has changed your life?

For the record, a lot of tracks have touched me in a life changing way…but in terms of the musical path I am on now I would pick Lee Foss’ “Grinding” on Wolf and Lamb… or his track “U Got Me” on Hot Creations.

What are the best things about being on the road? Worst? Best moment on the road?

Best moment: Eating at Lucha Libre in San Diego when I was touring the west coast last year (as Mutt)…or playing at an indoor water park in the heart of Moscow…

Worst moment: Anytime you wake up from a rough night on the road and you have no clue where you are (in the world)…

Is there anything special coming up here in the near future that people should know about?

Well, my tune “Sarah’s Song” has just come out on Hot Waves, and I just did a remix of Deepchild’s track “The Suffering Ones” that is coming out on Thoughtless Music. I am doing an EP for Miguel Campbell’s label Outcross (he’s going be on remix duty for this EP as well!), as well as an EP for Neim Records. Also expect more from me on My Favorite Robot (as Sean Roman and with my group White Lions). Also, Chris James has recently remixed one of my tracks “Sinnaman” for Assembly Records. I also will be doing a release for the very young and dope label Act Natural…lots on the horizon…

Oh, also I will most likely be in the UK in February playing a dope event called Nest.
Sean Roman – Sarah’s Song (Original Mix) 
 

What is your drink of choice?

Whiskey.

-Slow