16/12/2025
House lynchpin Rocco Rodamaal debuts on REK’D with ‘The NYC Chronicle’ EP, a two-tracker paying homage to two of New York’s most iconic clubs, The Loft and The Tunnel, landing 12th December 2025.
Active as a producer and DJ for three decades, Rodamaal belongs to a circle of innovators who continue to shape the scene through releases on COD3-QR, Defected, Freerange, his own Memories label, and now Radio Slave’s Rekids offshoot, REK’D. With ‘The NYC Chronicle’, the French artist delivers two opposites in minimalism: the heads-down, early-hours loopiness of ‘The Loft' and the bright, uplifting arps that bring daylight to the former arches of ‘The Tunnel’.
Q: Please introduce yourself
My name is Rocco Rodamaal. I’m a DJ, music producer and founder of the label Memories.
Q: One person you'd dream to have a coffee with?
I would choose Vangelis, because his music deeply moves me and adds profound emotions to films like Blade Runner. Also Ennio Morricone, whose timeless compositions shaped my childhood.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would choose the power to heal people worldwide through my music, as well as the power to travel back in time. Experiencing the New York nightlife of the late 80s and early 90s would let me absorb the incredible energy of the clubs, surrounded by the groundbreaking productions I listened to and played during that era. It was a unique moment in music history, full of creativity and cultural influence, and I would love to relive it. It would also give me the chance to tell those I couldn’t before how much I love them.
Q: If you would have been given the chance to do a film score, what movie would you choose and why?
I would choose Blade Runner. Its futuristic atmosphere and stunning visuals completely captivated me, while the actors and the storyline fascinated me when it was released. The film was truly avant‑garde, yet so close to our own reality, which makes it timeless and even more inspiring for a soundtrack.
Q: Who has been the most influential in your music career? And why?
I would say my older brother in the 80s, with the records he played, many produced by Quincy Jones. Dimitri From Paris and his radio show “Sky Dance”. His cinematic intros and incredible mixes have always inspired me and showed me how storytelling can exist within music. He opened the door to imported music from the US, introducing me to producers like David Morales, Masters at Work, Steve “Silk” Hurley, Mister Lee or Todd Terry to name few.
Later, Louie Vega also became a major influence. His perfection in blending tracks with instrumentals, acapellas, and unique arrangements showed me how a DJ can elevate music into a true art form. All that helped me later to produce my my own music.
Q: Tell us about your journey, what got you to where you are today?
Music has been an essential part of my life for more than 40 years, largely thanks to the family influence I grew up with, where we listened to music every day at home. In the 80s, my older brother played a key role in shaping my passion, and later, encounters in record shops and clubs opened the door to countless styles, from house to techno. Traveling has also been, and still is, an endless source of sharing and musical discovery. Music production has played a major role in my journey, because seeing my tracks played around the world is an incredible motivation to keep doing what brings me the most joy: producing and performing in front of an audience. At 54, this is what keeps me optimistic about the future.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting out their career in music?
Whatever music you want to play or produce, you must believe in it and never hesitate to challenge yourself. Set a goal and work to achieve it, but always keep your integrity. Be patient, because music is a long journey, and every step teaches you something valuable from record shops to clubs to studios. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and never stop learning.
Q: Can you recall a DJ set or performance of yours that remains unforgettable to you? Where did it take place, and what makes it stand out among all others?
My very first gig in South Africa in June 2008. Franck Roger had connected me with DJ Christos, and I didn’t know what to expect until I arrived. The venue was an old white theater, in Pretoria, called “Musica Féliz”, named after my track with Rodamaal, which immediately made me feel at home. The place was completely packed with around 2,000 people, and the lineup featured South African legends like DJ Christos, Vinny Da Vinci, and a then, not well known yet in Europe, Black Coffee, who amazed me with his one‑handed style. Fifteen minutes into my set, the crowd erupted when I played my remix of “Bring On The Night”. Suddenly, everyone was chanting the lyrics, flashes were going off everywhere, and the energy was overwhelming. When I dropped my track called “Memories”, the atmosphere was pure madness; people shouting my name, the walls shaking, and the track becoming an anthem right before my eyes. That night gave me goosebumps and made me realize the true impact of my music. It was magical, and it marked the beginning of a new chapter in my career!
Q: How has your music style evolved over the years?
I have deep respect for the New York Garage scene, as it was my first gateway into House music. In the 90s, I discovered techno through the Detroit and Chicago scenes, which showed me that everything in music is connected and without borders. Since becoming a DJ in 1990, I’ve fed on all kinds of sounds, which is why I enjoy producing different styles, even if they all remain rooted in deep house. Over the past years, I’ve worked on countless remixes, which inspired me to create Soulful, Deep, Deep Tech, and Afro House tracks always evolving towards a stronger, more intense, and dance floor‑ready vibe that has become the signature of my work.
At the end of the day, I am first and foremost a DJ!
Q: If you were to venture into another music genre, which one would you choose and why?
If I had to follow another genre, it would be Hip Hop. I admire producers like DJ Premier for his incredible art of sampling, and J Dilla for the richness and humanity in his music. Their work showed me how beats can be both powerful and deeply emotional.
At the same time, I’ve always been inspired by the poetry in Hip Hop lyrics groups like IAM in France or MC Solaar, whose writing feels almost cinematic, have touched me in a profound way. For me, Hip Hop is about storytelling, culture, and emotion, which makes it very close to the spirit of House.
Q: Could you name 3 tracks that got you into electronic music and why?
Three tracks that truly got me into electronic music are:
1- Jean-Michel Jarre’s “Oxygène Pt. 4,”
2- Herbie Hancock’s “Rockit,”
3- Joe Smooth’s “Promised Land.”
Jarre’s piece opened my ears to the cinematic and atmospheric side of electronic music, proving it could be poetic and immersive. Hancock’s “Rockit” brought funk, hip-hop, and electro together, showing me how futuristic rhythms and DJ techniques could reshape sound. And Joe Smooth’s “Promised Land” captured the soulful essence of house, with a message of unity and hope that still resonates today.
Each of these tracks revealed a different dimension of electronic music emotional, innovative, and deeply human and they inspired me to explore my own path within the genre.
Q: Can you recommend a hidden gem in your home country that would be perfect for a rave?
I’ve had the chance to play at the « Piscine du Rhône » during the « Nuits Sonores Festival », and I can guarantee it’s an incredible sensation. There’s this unique mix of feeling transported somewhere else, right by the water, while still being in the heart of a big city. The energy of the crowd combined with the setting creates something truly unforgettable and when the sun sets, the magic really happens. It’s the perfect spot for a rave.
Q: Could you tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for the year?
To close out this year, I’m releasing an EP on Radioslave’s label REK’D, which is a tribute to the New York scene places. Later this year, I’ll also release a remix i did of South African artists, The Jargons, ZuluMafia and Golden Lady on my label Memories.
Looking ahead to 2026, I have a new EP coming out on Laurent Garnier’s label COD3 QR featuring a very personal 12‑minutes deep techno track full of emotion, alongside a more house‑oriented track that continues my tribute to the 90s house legacy. I’m also working on several remixes, including one for James Curd’s label of his own track in collaboration with Karizma and another for Marcel Vogel on his Lumberjacks in Hell imprint.
Beyond that, I’m developing new original productions, both solo and in collaboration, which I’m excited to share as they evolve.
Q: Can you share a fun fact about yourself that most of your listeners are probably unaware of?
A fun fact about me is that I’m basically a late‑night wildlife documentary nerd. While most people are asleep, I’m wide awake at 4 a.m., analyzing the secret love life of penguins or the dramatic adventures of meerkats. I could probably host my own “after‑hours National Geographic” show — but for now, I just enjoy being the guy who knows way too much about animals at ridiculous hours.
Rocco Rodamaal - The NYC Chronicle EP [REK'D]