ROMAN CIGI: "Music has become a grounding force for me"
- Editorial Staff
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
ROMAN CIGI, is a UK-based DJ and music producer known for his versatility in crafting a unique sound that spans House, Tech-House, Techno, Trance, and Progressive House. With a creative approach and deep knowledge of genres, he consistently reinvents music in original ways. He has collaborated with notable artists such as Ted Jensen, Eric Sneo, and Cid Inc., and is a member of the London Sound Academy and Pete Tong DJ Academy. As founder of the Soundevote label, Roman has performed at iconic venues including Ibiza and London’s Ministry of Sound.
What motivated you to create "HEAVENUS," and how does this project mark a new chapter for you compared to your previous work?
I usually don’t start a track with a title or a clear concept, and HEAVENUS came together in a very natural way. I knew I was leaning toward a techno direction, but I didn’t really know where it would end up. As I kept working on it and layering ideas, the track slowly started to explain itself to me.
At some point, it became clear that HEAVENUS was about finding peace in the chaos around us. Musically, it sits around 130 BPM and blends melodic techno with driving percussion, atmospheric layers, and darker textures, but the emotional side was what mattered most to me. I wanted the track to feel open — something people can interpret in their own way.
The whole idea revolves around three simple words: “Take me there.” For me, that’s the moment when everything else fades away and you’re just looking for a bit of peace of mind. A small space where the noise around us disappears and the music takes over.
Compared to my earlier work, HEAVENUS feels like a step forward emotionally. It does mark a new chapter, but not in a strict sense. I like to stay flexible creatively, and the next release could sound very different. What stays constant is the intention — to create music that feels honest and connects with people on a deeper level.
Your music spans multiple genres with a very personal touch. How do you maintain your unique style while experimenting with different sounds?
I started producing in 2017, and from the beginning I experimented with different genres as a way to find my voice. That exploration was essential — it helped me understand what truly resonated with me and what didn’t. When 2020 arrived and everything slowed down, it gave me time to reflect on what I actually wanted to create.
Between 2017 and 2024, there was a lot of trial and error, but over time the direction became clear. I found myself drawn more and more to underground styles like techno, tech-house, and progressive house. What I love about these genres is their instrumental focus. They give me space to work with deep kicks, driving rhythms, and melody in a way that feels pure and expressive. The emotion doesn’t need to be carried by vocals — the music itself does the work.
That’s really what defines my style. Commercial music often leans heavily on vocals and brighter, softer structures, and while I enjoy listening to it, it doesn’t reflect who I am as a producer. I’m naturally drawn to darker atmospheres, more detailed arrangements, and that space where the kick and the synth speak louder than words. That feels more honest to me.
Looking ahead, I could see myself revisiting house elements or exploring more cinematic textures, but always through my own lens. Vocals might appear more in the future, but only if they serve the emotion rather than dominate it. For me, it’s never about chasing trends — it’s about staying true to what feels real and letting the sound evolve naturally.
What were the most challenging aspects during the production of "HEAVENUS," and how did you overcome them?
The most challenging part of producing HEAVENUS — and honestly, almost every track I make — is the beginning. Finding the right starting point is always the hardest step for me. I often describe it like walking into a library full of books. You usually have an idea of what kind of book you want, but sometimes, after you’ve read so many already, you don’t know exactly what you’re searching for anymore.
In practical terms, that means spending time in my sound library, listening to different samples and textures, letting effects and small details guide me toward interesting or unexpected ideas. It might be an unusual synth texture, a filtered sample, or something subtle that sparks a direction. I’m exploring, letting things pass by, until something really sticks and triggers a feeling.
Once one or two elements lock in, the direction of the track starts to reveal itself. That initial struggle is worth it — because when those first elements finally connect, everything shifts. From there, it’s like building a structure layer by layer: ideas flow more naturally, and the track begins to take shape on its own.
The first few elements are always the most challenging, but after that breakthrough moment, the rest becomes much more fluid.
How has the UK music scene influenced the way you produce and DJ your tracks?
The UK music scene has influenced me more in mindset than in any specific sound. Whether I’m producing or DJing, I always use my ears and instincts as my main guide. The UK scene is known for its strong underground culture, attention to detail, and high standards — and that has definitely shaped how I approach my tracks.
Artists like Carl Cox and Mark Knight have been huge inspirations for me. Carl Cox especially — the way he connects with the techno scene as a DJ is something I really look up to. His ability to read the crowd and build a set with intention is world-class and something I constantly study. Mark Knight brings that same level of precision to house and tech-house, and even though that’s not my main direction, the craftsmanship behind his work is undeniable.
What I absorb most from the UK scene is the energy, the groove, and the way tracks are designed to work on a proper sound system. That awareness carries directly into my DJ sets — reading the room, trusting the moment, and letting the music speak for itself. It’s about quality over quantity, staying honest with your sound, and not letting external noise distract you from your direction.
At the end of the day, the UK scene reinforces what I strongly believe in: if you keep refining your work and trusting your ears, everything else follows naturally.
After releasing "HEAVENUS," what are your next goals or new musical directions you’d like to explore?
After HEAVENUS, the focus is clear: deepen what works. The track showed me there’s an audience for emotional, atmospheric techno — music that carries meaning beyond the dancefloor. My next goal is to build on that foundation with a series of releases that push those atmospheric and cinematic elements even further.
Right now, I’m taking a step back from live gigs to focus fully on studio work and refining my sound. It’s a conscious decision — I want the music to feel fully realized before bringing it back into a club environment. Between my work in product development, running the Soundevote label, and managing multiple music projects, I’ve learned to be more intentional with where I put my energy.
Music has become a grounding force for me. It’s how I stay positive, process everything around me, and stay connected — even when things slow down. That mindset is shaping how I approach both production and future projects.
In terms of sound, techno remains my core direction, with room to bring in tech-house elements for variation and movement. HEAVENUS isn’t the end of the journey either. There are plans for collaborations and remixes with some interesting artists, allowing the track to evolve under my direction and take on new perspectives — though I’ll keep the details quiet for now.
Several new tracks are already in progress and close to being finished. Each one is designed to reach further while staying true to what makes my work honest. As long as I’m creating, the journey continues.
Follow ROMAN CIGI
