Starting the art of DJ'ing at the tender age of 15, his gone on to be one of the fastest rising Dj's in Asia. Having first started DJ'ing with the sounds of hip-hop & r&b at regular house parties, he got his first official DJ engagement in 2002 when he participated in the 1st Vestax Malaysian Extravaganza, where he made it to the finals. Which he finished with a disappointing result. Immediately he knew that he wouldn't be able to gain recognition in his DJ'ing career as a Hip-Hop & Turntablist DJ, thus deciding to move on to the sounds of electronic music.
His first passion for that new electronic sound was Deep House and soon on he managed to work his way up to get booked to play local Underground Parties around Kuala Lumpur and even being branded by local magazine “Juice” as the Finest Underground DJ in Malaysia & Singapore. As his exposure to dance music was fast expanding he slowly got hooked onto the Sounds of Techno and completely dropped his passion for Deep House and moved towards the Sounds of Techno.
In September 2003 he entered the First Heineken Juice DJ Quest, as the youngest contestant to participate, where he successfully made it into to the finals and finishing as the 1st Runner Up. Permanently engraving his name into the industry and becoming a familiar face behind the decks of some of the finest clubs around Malaysia. In addition he was given a chance to host his own weekly radio show on 'Red 104.9' focusing on Techno & House where he had an audience of 2.1 million.
In 2004 he became the youngest person at the age of 17 to have been offered a Major club residency at one of Malaysia's most renowned super clubs, 'Atmosphere' where he fast build a reputation and small cult following among local clubbers around Malaysia for his signature 3-turntable sets, also having known to juggle an average of 35 - 50 records per hour.
His technical ability behind the decks has seen him support the likes of Christian Smith, Funk D' Void, John Creamer, Joris Voorn, Benny Bennasi, Kevin Saunderson, Tall Paul, Pako & Fredrik, Trevor Rockliffe, Deetron, Renato Cohen, DJ Misjah, Q-Hey, DJ Mayuri, Shin Nishimura, Technasia, John Askew, Judge Jules, The Warp Brothers, Adam Freeland, Felix Da Housecat, Eddie Halliwell, Simon Coyle, Simon Digby, Eric Powell, Veiga, Juri Menucci & Fuzion to name a few.
On tour Romel has toured, Spain, Germany, Japan, Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Indonesia & of course his native country Malaysia. He has also played for some Major Events such as Redzone ‘The Official Ferrari F1 Pit Party' and The Electrosonic Festival where he was the First Asian DJ to have ever been booked alongside headliners such as Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, Dave Clarke, Ben Sims and Cristian Varela where he played in front to an adoring 20,000 fans.
By 2007 he finished No.4 on The DJ List (www.thedjlist.com) under the Malaysian category and in 2008 he finished No.2.
Away from the DJ circuit Romel has gained widespread consistent success as a producer, with his very first track ‘Offshoot' that made it up to the Top 30 Charts on www.Juno.co.uk & www.Trackitdown.net has seen its way to the record boxes and CD wallets of DJ's such as Eddie Halliwell, Cristian Varela, Ben Sims, DJ Murphy, Ken Ishii and many more.
Apart from that Romel also runs his very own labels ‘Stream Recording's' & ‘Dark n Dirty Recording's”. Which will primarily be geared towards Funky Techno for Stream Recording's and the more Deeper stuff on Dark n Dirty.
“The Find Of The Century” ITM (www.inthemix.com.au)
“Pure, as he pulled off a five hour marathon on three decks like a hyperactive, musical war child with a sugar craving” JUICE Magazine
Past Gigs –
Asia –
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Maison, Atmosphere, Bliss, Emporium, Nouvo, The Backroom, Bar Club, Raw, Velvet Underground, Loft, Orange, Market Place, Atrium
Kuantan, Malaysia – Pahang Football Stadium
Penang, Malaysia – Orange, Chill-Out
Jakarta, Indonesia – Vertigo, Embassy, Stadium, Centro
Bandung, Indonesia – Embassy, Amare, Amnesia
Bali, Indonesia – Myroom, Double 66
Yogjakarta, Indonesia - Embassy
Singapore, Singapore – Home Club
Tokyo, Japan – Core, Air
Osaka, Japan – Club Rocket
Seoul, Korea – Circle
New Delhi, India – Six Month Story, Club Aqua
Mumbai, India – Club Prive
Karachi, Pakistan – Karachi Beach
Australia –
Brisbane, Australia – Empire, Uber, Shamrock, GPO
Gold Coast, Australia – Oriental, Bedroom, Elsewhere, Platinum
Sydney, Australia – The Bunker, Scary Canary
Melbourne, Australia – Seven
Europe –
Barcelona, Spain – Row 14, Sala Instinto
Vitoria, Spain – Sala Cool, The Group
Burgos, Spain – Electrosonic Festival
San Sebastian, Spain – Pagoa
Girona, Spain – Blau
Lahr, Germany – 18 Months
Freiburg, Germany – Universal D.O.G,
Sept 2010 Promo Mix by RomelJohan
