Why we love DJ Tennis...
Music has, and always will be our main focus when deciding who to book, but it’s undeniable that we especially look forward to certain artists due to their added charm and magnetism. Nevertheless the attraction is not just felt from the tunes they play, but for their transcendent personalities. Often we find ourselves drawn to their legend and respect in the industry. A feeling of teacher and student is most certainly felt any time we are privileged enough to hear them play.
DJ Tennis has most certainly been well versed in all things music for more than a few decades now. The founder and A&R of the world renown music label Life and Death, Manfredi Romano, as he is known by friends, grew up tour-managing punk bands like Black Flag & Minor Threat while also organizing left-field music events in Italy.
After graduating with a degree in computer science from the University of Pisa, Manfredi went on to form DAZE, Italy’s first booking agency devoted to electronic music. Drawing on two decades of experience behind the scenes, Romano shifted focus in 2010, establishing himself as his new moniker, DJ Tennis.
As a respected producer, he consistently channels his past relationships with post-rock luminaries such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Tortoise and Fugazi into intricately synthesized electronic constellations.
His fearlessness to create music and events with other artists new or classic. Like the remix for his track “make it good”, redone with ghostly vocals and ominous tones by legendary deep house creator Larry Heard (bottom left). His taste does not stop at house & techno, his respect for non-club oriented music, experimental & ambient sounds show through his somewhat recent mix exclusively made for Resident Advisor (bottom right).
As a performer, Tennis valiantly showcases an astute ability to create intimacy in even the vastest of gatherings. He has that magic that connects his audience on a personal level, giving the illusion that he is playing directly for you. Not just a party DJ, Tennis is best when playing long sets, artfully projecting a wide range of emotions both comforting and confusing. Tennis puts a mirror to the audience and extracts some dark, hidden memories while suddenly uplifting you in to moments of pure euphoria. It’s a reminder that music was never meant to be just heard, but design to be felt extensively.
He is a big fan of psychedelia, you can see his taste for colors, shapes and all things psychedelic through many of his recent artworks and productions.
In 2020, Club Space in Miami hosted a series of livestreams where artists would perform to an empty club (due to covid restrictions and quarantines). His mix stood out, as visuals were added to match his trippy sounds and extraterrestrial style. (Video below.)
Again, Tennis is more than just a disc jockey, he is also a fine chef and restaurant owner. Splitting his time between Miami and Amsterdam, he enjoys riding motorbikes, collecting vintage action-figures and building upon his vinyl record collection - which now numbers over 11,000 strong.
In 2018 he teamed up Dixon and his Innervisions music label to create a music festival in Miami during Art Basel weekend entitled “Rakastella”. The events real accomplishment comes from boasting a stellar line up of artists often overlooked by more mainstream festivals. Each year the festival concludes with a b2b DJ set between Dixon and Tennis, a Miami sunset serving as their backdrop.
But in conclusion, the main reason we love Manfredi is his effortless ability to re-humanize the idea of what a DJ is and what a DJ does. Not just a jukebox of melodies, If you’ve had the pleasure of spending even just a few moment with him, you feel a sense of inclusion, a rarity among super famous or self proclaimed superstar DJ’s. He never thinks himself too cool to remember your name or say hello if he sees you outside of the party, no matter what part of the world. That love and compassion serves as a reminder to many who forget our purpose in this culture.
Music is connection. - words by HP
Catch DJ TENNIS Live in Atlanta this Friday Feb 3rd: Click Here for info.
DJ Harvey, DJ Tennis
Omar-S,DJ Tennis,Octave One
as a bonus, here are some of our favorite DJ Tennis tracks including the one he did as a tribute to our city.
Here he is in his own words:
“I played Atlanta many times during past months and always had so many beautiful comments and many of you reached out asking what this was. The track was conceived during BLM and it’s my very own way to celebrate gospel music, Detroit and Chicago house. It’s a celebration of joy and love, uplifting, energetic and dreamy at the same time.”