Electropoint (a.k.a. Roman Molino Dunn) is a New York City-based music producer and film composer who has produced music for indie and Grammy-winning artists alike as well as composing for film, television, and commercials at Mirrortone Studios in Manhattan.
Q:When you decide it’s time to make a new record, is that more exciting or stressful?
Ans: For me, making a record usually isn’t stressful because it’s a natural extension of what I’m lucky enough to do every day, which is run a recording studio. The obstacle to doing a solo project is more finding time between paying clients. When I’m able to do so, I’m pretty excited.
Q: How easily do songs tend to come to you?
Ans : It really depends on the project. When I am doing it for a job, the client might have very specific requirements, and that can be pretty demanding: we need this style, at this tempo, with these instruments and this kind of production value. When I start working on a solo project, I often already have the instrumental and top line in mind.
Q: For our readers who have never heard your music, explain your sound in 5 words?
Ans: EDM + Pop Punk + Classical
Q: You write all of your own music; where do you draw inspiration from when you write songs and what’s your favorite part about the process?
ANS: Some days, writing and recording the instrumental is the most rewarding part of putting together a song but other days, it is mixing the featured artist’s vocals into the track. As for inspiration, I tend to think about the technical aspects of the music separately from the meaning they might end up carrying to listeners. To me, the most interesting aspect of composing is the interweaving of the melodies; that in itself is all the meaning and inspiration I need.
Q:Do you have any events coming up or recording going on right now?
Ans: Oh yeah. I count my lucky stars all the time because every day, I get to have recording sessions with great clients. The studio I run has a small crew, just a few producers composers, and we get to work on all aspects of a variety of projects. Sometimes we’re recording an amazing singer or band, sometimes we’re putting together our own music for a commercial or film. On the personal project front, I just released a single called “Just Us” featuring the rapper Mikealis. It’s available for download here.
Q:When and why did you start playing?
ANS: I started playing piano when I was four years old because my brother set an amazing example for me. He still walks circles around me on the piano.
Q: Which instruments do you play?
Ans: My main instrument is piano but I got my degrees in classical composition and during my coursework, I had to learn how to play all of the orchestral instruments. I don’t play them amazingly, but well enough to understand how to write for each instrument and to be able to record something editable.
Q: Do you perform in public? Describe those occasions? Concerts, radio, TV?
Ans: I don’t perform in public so often these days, but I got my footing in the NYC music scene by playing a ton of live shows. I used to play in rock bands and then later, as I started exploring production, I played keys/synths/backtracks for rappers during their shows. In fact, I met the featured artist on my new single, Mikealis, when we started playing shows together in the 2000s. We used to play all kinds of nightclubs. He traveled the world and now we are back making music together again.
Q: Do you attend sessions? What makes a good session?
Ans: Preparation is key for a good performance. Of course, technical skill in musicians and compelling music are very important, but nothing helps a performance and good recording like being prepared.
shows. I used to play in rock bands and then later, as I started exploring production, I played keys/synths/backtracks for rappers during their shows. In fact, I met the featured artist on my new single, Mikealis, when we started playing shows together in the 2000s. We used to play all kinds of nightclubs. He traveled the world and now we are back making music together again.
Q: Do you attend sessions? What makes a good session?
Ans: Preparation is key for a good performance. Of course, technical skill in musicians and compelling music are very important, but nothing helps a performance and good recording like being prepared.
Q: How do you balance your music with other obligations – mate, children, job?
Ans: Luckily, music is my job, so my hand is always in the game. The hard part for me is balancing my personal life with my work life. The industry requires me to always make myself available to clients, constantly booking sessions or taking gigs, because if I’m not free for an opportunity, then someone else will probably get it. I try to keep in mind that life is short and while I want to accomplish things professionally, making time for family is just as–if not more–important.
“Just Us” will be released on September 23rd, available everywhere music is sold. The single can be pre-ordered on the iTunes Store here.
