“JUJU VIBES” is a dark, driving progressive electro house anthem celebrating queer liberation and resilience. Written from the perspective of an “Architect of Survival,” Manchester artist Romeo Saints honors house music’s Black, queer roots with heavy basslines and a striking, ornate mask visual identity. Romeo Saints is an independent electronic music artist striking a distinctive line through progressive and melodic electronic sounds. Defined by a high-fashion, theatrical visual aesthetic and a deeply conceptual approach to sonic storytelling, Romeo Saints crafts immersive electronic landscapes where themes of structural resilience, survival, and ultimate liberation collide. From driving, underground rhythms to soaring, cinematic energy, every release is designed as an uncompromising statement of identity, purpose, and artistic independence. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?
ROMEO SAINTS: Music was always around growing up, but the pivotal moment came when I first experienced the raw, unfiltered energy of electronic music. I remember hearing a track where the build-up and drop didn’t just feel like audio—it felt physical. The realisation that you could manipulate tension, atmosphere, and energy purely through sound completely reshaped my perspective. From that point on, I wasn’t just listening to music; I was dissecting it, trying to figure out how to create that same visceral spark myself.
2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?
ROMEO SAINTS: It was very much a path of personal exploration and self-taught experimentation. Learning by trial, error, and curiosity allowed me to approach music production without rigid boundaries. Instead of sticking strictly to traditional music theory, I let feeling, texture, and rhythm drive the creative process. That freedom gave me space to blend melodic storytelling with heavy, driving electro elements without feeling restricted by rules.
3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, what’s the story behind choosing the name ‘ROMEO SAINTS’?
ROMEO SAINTS: Early on, I was heavily drawn to pioneer producers who proved that electronic music could carry emotional depth alongside festival-level energy—artists who mastered the balance between soaring melodies and gritty bass-lines.
The name ROMEO SAINTS represents a balance of dualities. “Romeo” taps into passion, romance, and raw human emotion, while “Saints” carries a sense of purpose, elevated energy, and protection. It reflects the atmosphere I aim to create in my tracks—where heavy, high-energy beats meet genuine emotional depth.
4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?
ROMEO SAINTS: My sound sits at the intersection of progressive house and electro house. I focus on building lush, uplifting atmospheric melodies and pairing them with punchy, driving electro bass-lines that demand movement. For someone discovering me for the first time, expect an immersive, high-energy ride. I want my music to make listeners feel euphoric and unstoppable—giving them a complete escape from everyday life.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as EDM?
ROMEO SAINTS: At the beginning, like most producers, I spent hours recreating tracks I loved just to understand sound design, arrangement, and mix engineering. It was an essential phase. But the shift toward finding my own voice happened when I stopped asking “How do they do this?” and started asking “How do I want this to feel?” Blending progressive house melodies with electro house grit became my sweet spot, allowing me to build a signature sound that feels distinctly my own.
6. Music often transcends entertainment. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
ROMEO SAINTS: Music is inherently transformative, and electronic music in particular has a deep social and spiritual history rooted in unity, freedom, and self-expression. While my focus leans toward technical artistry, high-energy entertainment, and personal narrative, the overarching theme in my work is connection. When people are on a dance-floor or tuned in through their headphones, all external divisions fade away—that shared experience is inherently powerful.
7. Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfilment you’re still seeking?
ROMEO SAINTS: The internal reward—taking an idea in your head and turning it into a complete, polished track—is unmatched. That sense of accomplishment makes every late-night studio session worth it. However, fulfilment is an evolving target. I’m constantly seeking deeper connections with my audience, growing my creative reach globally, and continuing to push the boundaries of my sound and visual presence.
8. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, what’s the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?
ROMEO SAINTS: It almost always starts with a hook or a chord progression—a specific mood or melody that sticks in my mind. From there, I lay down the core melodic structure before building out the low-end drive and drums. The most essential part of my process is dialling in the transition from the build to the drop; that tension-and-release dynamic is everything in progressive and electro house. External influences, from art to night time aesthetics, heavily influence the mood I aim to capture.
9. What’s been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?
ROMEO SAINTS: Navigating the music industry while staying true to my artistic vision without compromise has been one of the biggest challenges. It takes patience and thick skin to protect your identity and artistic direction in an industry that often favours quick trends over longevity. Learning to trust my instincts and build my brand on my own terms has made me far more resilient and intentional with my craft.
10. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And let’s talk about your latest release and future plans.
ROMEO SAINTS: The proudest moments always trace back to seeing listeners genuinely connect with the music and embrace the world I’m building.
Looking ahead, I’m extremely excited for my upcoming release on August 7th, featuring my new single Juju Vibes (Radio Edit) alongside the Original Mix. It captures the exact energy and ethos of my sound right now. Beyond this release, I’m working on expanding my visual identity, releasing more music, and building out high-impact projects for my listeners.
11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
ROMEO SAINTS: In today’s digital landscape, noise is inevitable. I choose to focus my energy on constructive feedback and the people who truly connect with the music. Haters and naysayers are usually reacting to their own projections, so I don’t give it space to distract me. My focus stays fixed on creating, releasing, and building a genuine community (@thee.romeo.saints).
12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
ROMEO SAINTS: They feed two completely different sides of me as an artist. The studio is where the magic is born—it’s a private laboratory where I can experiment, refine, and bring ideas into reality. But taking that energy and sharing it with a live audience is the ultimate payoff. There’s nothing quite like feeling the immediate collective reaction when a drop hits.
13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
ROMEO SAINTS: I love the idea of personal interpretation. While every track I produce starts with a specific story or emotion from my perspective, once a song is released, it belongs to the listener. If a track gives someone energy during a workout, an escape during a rough day, or a soundtrack to a memory, that meaning is just as valid and powerful as the story I had when creating it.
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