A figure stands behind a table of electronic gear at Hong Kong’s Clockenflap music festival, wearing a headband that brings to mind an old school tennis star. As he tweaks knobs, the sounds that come out evoke decades past in an even more intriguing manner. Is he playing forgotten dance tracks unearthed from dusty record stores, or new productions? European disco or reimagined Cantopop classics?
While the 14th edition of Clockenflap, Hong Kong’s biggest music festival, had no shortage of big international and local names — including Serrini, Central Cee, and Jack White — few performers blurred distinctions between local and international, or defied the boundaries between genres to the same degree as DJ/producer Romain FX.
Born in France, Romain grew up across the world in places including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the US. It’s in Hong Kong that he made his mark on the music scene, cementing his status with his Boiler Room debut in 2018. Since then, he has cultivated a unique musical identity that touches upon disco, house, and techno, but transcends traditional genre classifications. He believes music is a universal language, capable of conveying emotions that resonate across cultures. Whether it’s a heart-wrenching African melody or a lively Vietnamese tune, Romain understands that the essence of music goes beyond lyrics, creating connections that empower listeners worldwide.
“To me, that’s the beauty of music. My style connects the dots between genres and times, regardless of location, a bit like my personal upbringing being a white kid growing up in Asia,” says the artist.
His rich tapestry of international influences has inevitably led him to produce songs in Cantonese, culminating in his recent track “Spacer Woman 宇宙女人,” featuring Hong Kong singer-songwriter Kaona.
This track is a cover of “Spacer Woman,” an Italo disco and new wave classic released by Italian musical project Charlie in 1983. Though the song was released this September by Bless You, a label operated by Berlin record store Sound Metaphors, the producer actually made it a few years ago. He created the 1980s-style cover under an alias, crafting it to feel like a long-lost Cantonese version unearthed from deep in the crates. The unreleased track found its way into sets by tastemaker DJs like Orpheu the Wizard and DJ Harvey, generating major curiosity amongst record collectors. “And it worked,” Romain explains. “Diggers have been hunting for this version for years until we could officially release it after five years of copyright negotiations.”
Romain elaborates on his production techniques and states, “I also use FM synth percussion and create melody-percussion lines with hard panning — a technique popular in the Canto remix scene of the late ’80s and early ’90s.” His choice of Cantonese was intentional; the track’s new wave style paired perfectly with the sharper, more percussive tones of the language. “I created it in Hong Kong with Kaona, a local friend who sang in Cantonese, so the choice came naturally.”
The full vinyl EP release of “Spacer Woman 宇宙女人” features three distinct versions of the song, which are tailored for different vibes and settings. “Each track serves a purpose for DJs,” he notes. “Whether it’s a stripped-back karaoke version inviting audience participation, an acid-influenced cut for emotional moments, or a vocal version bursting with uplifting energy.”
As a dance music classic, redone in the style of a Cantopop subgenre, “Spacer Woman 宇宙女人” exemplifies how Romain approaches his craft as both a music digger and producer. He finds inspiration in unique piano progressions and rhythmic breaks, tagging and studying tracks in his Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). This process of reinterpretation highlights a key aspect of modern music: recycling ideas to blend styles and create something new.
Lacking formal training in music theory, Romain embraces the challenge of working by ear. While it may take him hours to figure out melodies and chord progressions that a trained pianist could grasp in minutes, he finds immense satisfaction in the process. “Not having a formal background allows me to think outside conventional frameworks,” he notes, which can spark creativity in unexpected ways.
Romain believes in the importance of versatility: “Life’s too short to stick to just one genre or movement,” he says with a laugh. This maxim resonates especially in highly competitive environments like Hong Kong and Singapore, where making a breakthrough in the music scene can prove challenging.
“Keep at it,” he urges aspiring artists. “It might feel hopeless and tough 80% of the time, but with hard work, dedication, and the right people around you, the last 20% will be worth it tenfold.” Romain’s own journey exemplifies how perseverance and a willingness to innovate can lead to amazing opportunities.
Looking ahead, the artist is poised for an exciting year in 2025. With a South America tour set to kick off in January, he’ll be bringing his eclectic sound across Brazil in cities like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Itacaré, and then on to Mexico.
Romain has also just released a new EP in collaboration with American singer-producer Michael Cignarale (previously based in Shanghai), and has another coming soon on German record label Permanent Vacation. With his debut album — which promises to be a deeply personal exploration of varied styles and global collaborations — also in the pipeline, Romain looks set to expand his musical boundaries and connect with audiences worldwide.
Banner image by Haedi Yue.
