Nico Morano (in the picture below) has been building a name for himself through several interesting releases and his his ongoing Ontourage event series which has seen him performing at some of Belgiums important locations. Now, as we head into 2020, Nico has already seen good feedbacks to his ‘Resilio’ EP that was released at the end of January. We got to chat with Nico ahead of his ‘Merci Paris’ EP about his favourite hangouts in Ibiza, the debut on Sincopat and what makes the White Isle so special.
How has the new year started for you, Nico?
Classic: with a big bang! Five gigs over two days (31/12 and 1/1), divided over France & Belgium. But to be honest, I loved it, although it was a lot of travelling and hopping in & out to make it on time at the next gig. Besides the gigs, 2020 also starts with a lot of new releases. Twelve tracks in three months, to be exact. A recent EP release on Récits de Mars, Sincopat & Ontourage Music.
Well, tell us about your new Sincopat EP arriving at the end of February, it is titled ‘Merci Paris’ – what inspired it?
I’m super happy with this release coming on one of my favourite Spanish labels!
I adore their overall sound & artwork. I truly hope these tracks will make it up to the new Ibiza season!
So why ‘Merci Paris’? As the title already reveals, it has something to do with my last visit to the city of lights in France last November. So now you are expecting some cool anecdotes about my voyage, but no… I have to disappoint you. It is purely because I made that track and the other tracks on that EP right before and right after my visit to Paris. So in order to memorise my own tracks, I always use ‘reference’ moments.
‘Merci Paris’ also got a lovely remix by Biesmans, how did that happen?
Joris Biesmans is a Belgian dude, who has lived for a long time in Berlin and worked for 6 years as a sound technician for Watergate Club. This guy is also a mastermind in the studio and Sincopat asked me if it was okay if he would remix my track. I love his italo-disco / 80’s touch in his productions and that is what he brought to the table. Pure fire! His remix fits perfectly on this EP.
Can you remember the first time you went to Ibiza? What was this experience like?
I started to visit Ibiza quite late to be honest. First time was in 2014. But I have to admit, since then, I’m hooked and visit it yearly, at least once or twice a year. I loved it from the start and have to admit that over these last 6 years some things have changed, some positive, some a bit less. But overall, always happy to head over to the white island!
Where are your favourite places to party in Ibiza?
Well to be honest… I don’t party that much on Ibiza! CRAZY no? Ibiza has so much more to offer than only to party. But IF I really have to choose my favourite hangout… it doesn’t really depend on the ‘location’ to me, more about the DJ’s who are programmed. Mostly I adapt myself and I’m always open to discovering new places. I can have fun in Pacha, Amnesia, DC10, Benimussa, a villa afterparty..
What makes it so special you think? Why has Ibiza remained a party destination for so many?
It is quite simple. The prices for clubbing are quite high. A normal person would think… hmm, that’s then more of a disadvantage and other cheaper destinations will take over?
Well no… not really. People feel pretty safe paying ‘a lot’ in Ibiza. This high price has 1 big advantage: People think twice about where they will be going to party. So you will be surrounded by people who really WANT to hear a certain DJ or visit a certain concept because they are considered to be a fan.
So in the end, the clubs and parties are (mostly) only visited by people who really want to be there and enjoy it from the minute they enter until the last minute the venue closes its doors. So… you avoid ‘the wrong’ people in your club. That way people feel more connected!
What goals do you have for 2020, looking ahead of the Sincopat and the debut release on your Ontourage label?
My main target is to release music which puts a smile on people’s faces. I want to bring music to the table that evokes emotions. Close your eyes, enjoy, dance, whatever, … As long as it touches you in a positive way. Emotion is super important to me. So if my releases, on whatever label it might be, do that… If I see these thing happening on my first releases in the first months now, … I will be happily sipping a Gin-Tonic on Sa Trinxa beach in June, when I plan my first visit to the magic island!
Thanks Nico!
Pre-order: https://www.beatport.com/
Hear also: https://soundcloud.com/deep-
