They’ve been SAW Recordings partners for years, but Satoshi Tomiie and Hector Romero are only now embarking on their first-ever joint North American tour. The global DJs – fresh off a summer spent headlining some of Europe’s finest nightclubs – are celebrating the release of the brand-new Undulation 3 CD set, a compilation of the typically cutting-edge dancefloor music that has become SAW’s specialty.

Even though they both call New York home, the chance to hear these two DJs performing together on their hometown turf is exceedingly rare. In fact, this is their first joint gig in several years. But this Saturday, October 3rd, they’ll finally be bringing their sound back to the Big Apple for a true SAW showcase at to the Sullivan Room.

You guys are doing your first US tour together…ever. How’s it going from the road so far and what’s the response been like?

The tour has been loads of fun, especially because we’re traveling together which makes it more enjoyable. There are some pros and cons to doing this North American tour:

Pros: We’ve come across very professional promoters and proper sound systems and DJ booth. And other things we can tell you from our adventures while touring are that Satoshi eats like an animal and Hector gains all the weight!! Satoshi likes to get to the airport at the last minute….Hector likes to arrive super early!! Hector likes to drink ahhhhh Satoshi likes to drink LOL!

Cons: We hate having to take off our shoes at airport security!! It’s not mandatory any longer around the world. Early set times suck as well – most of the clubs we’re playing at close at 2 or 3am max and it’s a bit strange sharing 4 hours together, sometime even less!

When you’re touring together, do you approach the night differently than you would a solo set? What’s the creative process like there.

Indeed it’s different than playing a solo set. – I’m (Hector) actually enjoy doing the opening sets during this tour and getting the room ready – it’s rare that I get to do that. Sets have been from 10-12 and 12-2 – people come to these clubs ready to party – not much warming up is going on. And that’s a little challenge as we’re both DJs that normally play long sets. So playing for less than 2 hours each has been interesting to say the least! On this tour we really enjoyed playing at Spy Bar in Chicago, Body English in Vegas, Vessel in San Francisco and the Monday Night Social party in LA – these are all venues that are representing House Music in North America.

It’s been such a long time since you’ve both played together in New York. What are you looking forward most to about the party at Sullivan Room?

It’s always a treat to play in our own hometown. We get more nervous playing here than, let’s say, playing at Pacha or Space in Ibiza. Something about playing in front of your own hometown crowd gives you the butterflies – but that’s a good feeling, because it means that you care and want to perform well in front of your peers.

As two veterans with a pretty unique perspective on New York nightlife, what are your thoughts on the clubbing landscape here in the city right now. What would you say New York needs the most right now?

For the size of NY we really don’t have enough representation of proper dance/electronic clubs here. NY needs a few more medium size clubs – sort like Sullivan Room and Cielo, and the clubs have to have A-class sound systems. Sound systems are crucial to make clubbers enjoy and feel what a producer put into a production that’s played in a club. We think it was great that this summer’s outdoor events were such a success – Water Taxi Beach, Sunday Best, Electric Zoo and Festivus all contribute to the growth of dance music in this city.

I’m sure you’ve had a lot of great experiences in the New York club scene over the year. Is there any one thing that really stands out to you guys as your favorite club night, or favorite set?

We will never forget our amazing fun-filled nights at Filter 14 – there was a movement and free spirit that will be hard to capture once again.

“Undulation 3” is a great summary of what’s going on with SAW.Recordings right now. The label has always been about discovering new talent – What are some of the sounds you’re most excited about now?

SAW Recordings has always been about being eclectic – we never really stuck to one sound – and the current state of music reflects exactly what we’re feeling and that’s just about quality well produced music. The lines are getting very blurred between house, techno…techno DJ’s are playing house in their sets and vice versa. Vocals are always important as well, but we think we need more talented songwriter/producers in the scene.

Our next SAW releases come from producers such as Matthias Vogt of Motorcitysoul,, Antonio Pocai with a remix by Alex Neri of Tenax, Tomoki & Nono are releasing their second release on SAW with a wicked remix by Luke Solomon. And finally we can also tell you about Satoshi’s next single titled “Back To Basics” under his Mes guise – so some wicked bombs to look out for from us.

What’s the process like between both of you, as far as working on SAW. How do you guys go about picking the tracks you release?

We get loads of demos sent to us and there are times where one of us will like something and the other might not feel it. In most cases, if we don’t both agree then we’ll pass on the demo. But we respect each other’s taste and if one of us feels a track then we go for it. We also ask ourselves will we play this record out, and would we buy this record? There’s no real science to signing tunes to SAW.

You guys just finished a crazy summer schedule overseas. What were your favorite sets or parties you played this summer?

Hector: I think Bulgaria and Greece take the prize for our favorite parties this past summer – Satoshi got to play Space this summer in Ibiza which was great for him.

Satoshi: My favorites were Cavo Paradiso in Mykonos, Space in Ibiza, Mania in Bulgaria and Paradiso in Rhodes.

In addition to SAW, you guys are both part of Def Mix, which really represents a lot of music industry experience. Any thoughts on where the industry seems to be heading, with the proliferation of digital labels and downloading in the last few years?

The music industry has gone through major changes in the last few years – and for a company like Def Mix that’s been around for so many years it can be a little discouraging. But Def Mix has always evolved and will continue to do so. Both Frankie Knuckles and David Morales are just getting into their fourth generation of playing music and to see Frankie get a wicked reaction at his recent set at Electric Zoo shows that people are always open to great music. Both Frankie and David are currently working on new albums and Satoshi’s studio is under construction so soon you’ll be hearing the future sounds of Satoshi as well.

What are some of the projects you guys have coming up in the next year?

Satoshi: I am preparing the follow-up single to “Madrugada”, which I did it under Mes moniker. “Back to Basics” is the title and I’m waiting for the remixes to go along with this original, so I’m excited!

Finally, do you guys have a chart or top 10 for us?

Satoshi Tomiie Top 10 (in no particular order)
1.Matthias Vogt – “Pianissimo” – SAW.Recordings
2.King Roc – “Beautiful But Weird [King Roc Remix]” – Process Recordings
3.Luca Bacchetti – “It’s Jazzy” – Ovum Recordings
4.Tom Middleton – “Hypnotizer (Francois Dubois Classy Disco remix)” – Urbantorque
5.Santos – “La Pineta” – Crosstown Digital Rebels
6.DJ Yellow Presents Mindz Kontrol Ultra – “Nar’dine” – Freerange Records
7.Guti – “Ieuuuu” – Desolat
8.The Royal We – “Party Guilt” – Crosstown Rebels
9.Luciano Esse, Antonio De Angelis aka Toni D – “Wild On Latino” – Leftroom Limited
10.Philip Badar & Nicone – “We Love It [monkey edit]” – Saved

Hector Romero Undulation 3 Top 11
1. Glimpse & Martin Eyerer – “Southern Soul (Jay Shepheard Remix)” – Buzzin Fly
2. Plain Pits – “Requinto [Jay Shepheard Remix]” – Big City Beats
3. Way Out West – “Only Love [John Tejada vocal]” – Hope Recordings
4. DJ Sneak – “Some More” – Cecille
5. Late Nite Tuff Guy – “I Get Deep” – Light Speed
6. Antonio Pocai – “Buena Suerte [Alex Neri Remix]” – SAW.Recordings
7. Analog People In A Digital World – “Circus (Cagedbaby Mix Voc)” – Analog People In A Digital World
8. Ali Kuru – “Feeling Blue” – Thirtyonetwenty
9. Nima Gorji – “Obbatala” – Climactic
10. Rhadow – “No Excuse” – Greelpound
11. Fever Ray – “Seven [Seth Troxler remix]” – Rabid Records