Marc Romboy and his Systematic Recordings label are all about one thing: top-notch, underground electronic dance music. In an age of proliferating labels, Systematic remains a beacon for cutting edge dancefloor tunes, continuously showcasing some of the freshest new sounds from up-and-coming producers from around the world.

When Systematic came to life in 2004, Germany’s new school of producers, DJs and labels were beginning to capture the attention of the electronic music world. Systematic and its genre-blurring fusion of house and techno quickly became one of the labels to watch, with top artists like Robert Babicz, Zoo Brazil, John Dahlback, Jimpster and dozens more contributing to the labels growth.

But Marc Romboy’s career extends beyond Systematic. He first came onto the scene in the early 90s with his first label Le Petit Prince, which was one of the leading imprints for hard and acid techno. With Marc making his Sullivan Room debut this Saturday, November 21st, he talked about his own musical evolution and what it takes to keep up the quality standards that Systematic is known for.

Systematic has become one of the most respected labels out there for putting out great underground music. Who is involved in the label – is it just you running the show?

Well, it is almost impossible to run a label on your own as long as you want to work professionally. I’m responsible for the entire creative process, like A&R management and our release policy. But for the rest, many different people help me with stuff like online distribution, record pressing, artwork, parties and of course the Systematic podcast and radio show which comes out every week. I’m really happy with my team, it makes it a lot of fun to do this kind of work.

Did you have any kind of vision in your mind when you started the label? What was your inspiration at the time?

Oh, yes, I had a vision which was to release only the music I am playing as a DJ, and warm music which comes from the heart. When I started the label more than five years ago, fast techno and trance were sort of ruling the electronic music scene. I was very tired of this stupid sound and started to visit little parties in Düsseldorf, my hometown, where they used to spin Chicago house, Italo disco, combined with tunes from the likes of Metro Area and Chicken Lips. I knew something new and fresh was starting in my mind. Some months later I joined a studio session with my friends Arno and Walter from Booka Shade and we produced “Every Day in My lLfe” together which was the starting shot to create a new platform called Systematic Recordings, my label.

If you compare the sound of Systematic with the sound of your first label – Le Petit Prince – it’s really a big change. How did your sound evolve to where it’s at now?

My former partner Klaus Derichs and I founded Le Petit Prince back in the day in 1993, a totally different point of time. Techno music was new, wild, fresh and everything was possible. At the time, I was 22 years old, an exciting time. We released many very different variations of styles, ranging from acid house by Emmanuel Top to tasteful techno by Micreowave Prince to rave music made by an act called RMB. Nowadays I wouldn’t release that mixed up anymore (laughs). It’s more about taste at the moment, more about a vision to release new tones and sounds you don’t hear on the radio too often.

Le Petit Prince released close to 70 records. How come you decided to stop with the label?

Well, there’s not really a reason for this, it just happened. However, these days where old labels like Strictly Rhythm and R&S are reopening their imprints, who knows, maybe the day will come, when Le Petit Prince will be relaunched again?

There are so many labels and releases out there now every day. How do you try and sure that Systematic doesn’t get lost in the pile with all the other new tracks out there?

Yes, I exactly know what you mean. You are right, there are many things out at the moment and nobody has an overview anymore. Well, my policy is to release a 12” once a month, and due to this policy you can only sign twelve a year, right? I’m still releasing every EP on vinyl and online and due to the fact that the vinyl sales have gone down, I am forced to put out only high quality stuff, music I am totally convinced of. This is what makes Systematic maybe a bit different, because I have no ambition to release music online only and I hope I won’t change my mind within the next five years or so.

You’ve done quite a lot of collaborations with Blake Baxter, some have a real raw hip-house kind of feel to them. What’s your attraction to that sound?

Ah, yes, you are right again. Yes, it’s a great honour to work with such a talented and friendly guy like Blake, and hip-house is something which influenced both of us. Nobody besides us is really doing this for some reason, I dunno why? But it’s always good fun to release records with him and I consider them to be pretty distinctive, aren´t they?

One of the best parts about Systematic is the way you discover new talent and new producers. What does it take for an artist to make it onto Systematic? How do you choose which artists you want to release?

Well, besides the fact that the music is emotional and warm, the artist should know his job of how to mix and arrange a good music production. I know that you can easily do a track with software like Garage Band and Fruity Loops, but it’s much more than this. I’m really keen to release high quality because it’s pretty much about the sound, isn’t it? But basically I’m open for everything, and nobody should hesitate to contact me.

You’ve set up shop in New York for the month of November. Why the change of location for you and your family? What do you think of the city so far?

I really love to be at home but I have a bit of both, there is homesickness and wanderlust inside of me. My wife is a fan of New York, big time and we decided together to do this trip with our daughter. We are living at the Toshi Hotel and we do feel very comfortable here as it is a very nice, cozy and professionally run place. New York and especially Williamsburg has quickly conquered our hearts and we feel like we’re at home. The people here are pretty helpful and polite and the variation of pubs, shops and restaurants is awesome in Billyburg. I’m pretty sure that we will return soon because so far I feel very inspired, and my production partner Dimitri Andreas and I recorded already many exciting songs

What can we expect from your set at the Sullivan Room on the 21st?

1000% passion!