Tony Romera is a French house DJ and producer from Lyon. His single Time To Move was released on Toolroom Records on 2 May 2025, catalogue number TOOL1333. It is his version of a track he describes below as an anthem in Lyon when he was growing up.
Made in Shoreditch spoke to Romera around the release about the track, Toolroom and the other labels he records for.
The essentials
- Artist: Tony Romera, from Lyon
- Single: Time To Move
- Label: Toolroom Records, TOOL1333
- Released: 2 May 2025
The interview
‘Time To Move’ is bursting with 80s energy and bassline swagger. What inspired this nostalgic-meets-modern sound?
The Carmen’s original ‘Time To Move’ has always been one of my fav tracks since I’m a kid. It was kind of an anthem in my hometown ‘Lyon’. For years I’ve been trying to make a new version of this classic to play it in my set but couldn’t find the right direction for a while. And recently I realized I just wanted it to respect the original but have these tight drums, sounding more fresh and actual, adding my french groove to it. And I’m so proud of this version !
You’ve been playing this track on repeat during your sets. What kind of crowd reaction has stuck with you the most?
Honestly, everytime I played it the crowd was really feeling it, and I really felt back in the 80’s with everyone grooving on it. Even more when I played it during the Toolroom pool party in Miami with my brothers Crusy & Low Steppa. It was such a vibe.
Toolroom is a legendary label. How did this release come together, and what does it mean to be part of their roster?
I’ve been dreaming about working with Toolroom since my beginnings. In 2008-2009. Been playing their Music at every set since then. The Toolroom crew is like my family, everyone is so cool, only good vibes there so I’m really proud to work with them on so many things. This one felt so natural to be released there, and with the Miami pool party around the release it was a great time to release this one :)
With releases coming on Solid Grooves, Insomniac, and your own imprint House Delivery — how do you stay creatively sharp across so many platforms?
I love to make different kinds of House Music, from really minimal stuff on Solid Grooves to funky oldschool house with ‘Time To Move’ to some hybrids between these. I think one of the most important things to stay inspired is listening to a lot of music, I always listen to different genres from different periods. Also I really love experimenting stuff on my synths or with some samples.
Shoreditch loves a warehouse rave. If you could curate your dream London party, who’s on the lineup and where’s it going down?
It’s def going down at E1 ! I just played there and this club is insane, amazing venue, super nice crew, awesome crowd, everything we can ask for. For the line up, I’d bring some really good friends of mine and talented artists, prob Crusy, Low Steppa, Max Mash, would love to bring Detlef who’s one of my favorite producer also, Olive F who’s making some sick vibes !
From studio to stage, what’s the one non-negotiable element in a Tony Romera track?
Groove and swing, for sure ! Haha. Also some really tight drums !
What’s next after ‘Time To Move’? Any surprises in store for summer 2025 or collaborations we should keep an ear out for?
There’s a looooot of new music coming this year. Next one is a new EP on Detlef’s ‘Issues’ with some 2 really minimal tracks. Then I’m gonna release a new collab with my good friend Dombresky on Insomniac. And some more stuff after these but let’s keep a bit of mystery ! Haha. Thank you for having me on this one :)