New Artist: Cromby
Cromby’s career is on a steep upward trajectory; the Irish DJ and producer who calls Berlin home, has played at major clubs and festivals all over the world including esteemed venues like Robert Johnson, The Warehouse Project, Fabric and Boiler Room. Becoming a regular at Panorama Bar, he’s been tasked with handling the infamous closing set on numerous occasions, twice keeping the club open past midday on Monday, a testament to his selector skills and the depth of his record collection.
Cutting his teeth holding down a six-year residency at the legendary Shine in Belfast, Cromby’s first record came out in 2012 on New York’s The Love Revolution. Following this came two releases on Berlin’s Tenderpark and a relocation to Berlin via London. He enjoyed pivotal years in 2018 and 2019, releasing on three ground-breaking labels; Sulta Selects Silver Service, Feel My Bicep and Unknown To The Unknown.
Despite the collective challenges faced, Cromby has continued to ascend in recent times. During the summer of 2020 he launched his own imprint Potency, aimed at exploring different realms of house, techno and acid. Combining old school rhythms with new school flavours, the debut release was led by ‘Shake It’, which despite the lack of dancefloors, became a fan favourite throughout the year. Additionally, he was tapped by Hör to become a resident and continues to play quarterly sets for the beloved streaming crew from Neuköln’s most famous bathroom. When a nomination came for Breakthrough Artist of the Year in DJ Mag’s Best of British Awards at the end of ‘20, it came as little surprise to those in the know.
The two years have seen Cromby begin a monthly radio show with Berlin’s community initiative Refuge Worldwide, alongside debuting on one of techno’s longstanding tastemaker labels, Rekids. Another notable highlight has been ‘Qué Sientes’ featuring vocalist Tee Amara, his maiden release for Erol Alkan’s iconic Phantasy Sound imprint. The EP stands as a crucial step in the Irish artist’s development and was lauded throughout the industry. A critically acclaimed follow up ‘Loving’ landed in late January 2022, picking up plaudits including DJ Mag’s Staff Picks tune of the month and a spot in RA’s best releases in February round-up.
The long-awaited Potency 002 dropped finally in February 2022, presenting a trio of tracks – ‘Obsessed’, ‘Excavator’ and‘Body Rush’, which reinforced his broad all-night appeal: “I wanted an EP that you can reach for in every dancefloor situation and imagined what it would be like in certain moments – the euphoric hands in the air one, the after-hours roller, and the straight up acid cut.”
A debut on Craigie Knowes titled ‘Freaks on Speed’ was another 2022 high point, before the Irish artist resumed a busy touring schedule with highlights including a debut US tour, Robert Johnson, Blitz in Munich, Lux Fragil in Lisbon, Shelter in Amsterdam, Nation of Gondwana, Australia’s iconic Pitch Music & Arts Festival, plus a trio of standout sessions at Panorama Bar, reinforcing his position as one of the club’s vital go-to artists.
The new year sees a string of Potency EPs lined up for release, alongside a return to Rekids with a thrilling three-tracker ‘Skyboy’.