New Orleans is best known for its deep-rooted jazz heritage and vibrant live music scene, but a new wave of artists are carving out space for electronic music—and leading the charge is Dr. Romance, the dynamic house duo formed by Dr. Jax and Romancing The Stoned.
What started as a spur-of-the-moment b2b set at a house party quickly evolved into an undeniable synergy, leading the two to officially join forces.
Since then, Dr. Romance has been on a mission to bring house music to the Big Easy, building a thriving dance music community and making waves with their electrifying performances.
With the release of their debut single, Chemistry, the duo not only delivers a euphoric dance floor anthem but perfectly captures the essence of connection to both each other and the music.
Following the release, we caught up with Dr. Romance to talk about their origins, the challenges of leading the New Orleans house scene, and so much more.
Check out the full interview with Dr. Romance below.
DF: How did you two first connect and decide to form Dr. Romance?
Dr. Romance: We first crossed paths at a house party at Romancing The Stoned’s place. Dr. Jax had just relocated from Toronto to New Orleans, and we linked up during her third week in the city. We decided to go B2B for fun that night, and the synergy was undeniable.
After that, it was clear we had to form a duo. The name Dr. Romance combines “Dr.” from Dr. Jax and “Romance” from Romancing The Stoned. From that moment on, everything aligned — we knew we were onto something special.
DF: New Orleans is known for jazz and live music—what has it been like building a house music community here, and how do you feel about the future of the New Orleans house scene?
Dr. Romance: It has been an exciting yet challenging journey. We have been fortunate that the city has embraced what we are building. Before we stepped in, house music wasn’t really in the spotlight here. We took on that challenge, and now the scene is expanding rapidly each year. The momentum is strong, and we believe the future of house music in New Orleans is promising.
DF: What would you say are the biggest challenges in growing a dance music community in the city?
Dr. Romance: New Orleans has a huge reputation, but in terms of population, it is still relatively small. The hardest part for EDM events here is simply getting people to show up. Fortunately, we have cultivated a dedicated and supportive fanbase, but for newer events or artists, that is the biggest hurdle.
DF: How has your journey as event promoters shaped your approach to DJing and producing?
Dr. Romance: Hosting events gives us a deeper insight into crafting an unforgettable experience. It’s not just about playing tracks — it’s about setting a mood and building an atmosphere. That mindset translates into our DJ sets and productions because we are always thinking about how a song or performance will resonate with the audience.
DF: You just dropped a massive debut single, Chemistry! What was the driving influence for the track?
Dr. Romance: We wanted to capture what makes Dr. Romance stand out. Fans always tell us that our connection on stage is like nothing they have seen before, and we couldn’t agree more. This connection is what allows us to engage with so many people. Chemistry embodies that synergy and reflects our journey as artists.
DF: You mentioned that Chemistry has a more downtempo feel than the usual tracks you play in your sets. What made you choose this particular sound for your debut, and how does it reflect your vision for the project?
Dr. Romance: Our project isn’t confined to one genre. Whether we are producing or DJing, we love exploring different styles of EDM and never want to limit ourselves. We selected Chemistry as our first release because it is unexpected. Right away, we want people to know that Dr. Romance is full of surprises.
DF: Will you be exploring different sounds in future releases?
Absolutely! We are working on tracks spanning bass house, tech house, and techno. There is a lot of exciting music on the horizon, and each release will showcase something new.
DF: For those who haven’t yet seen you perfrom what can they expect once you take the stage?
Dr. Romance: Pure energy! We thrive on performing and connecting with the audience, so expect high-intensity moments, unexpected twists, and an electrifying atmosphere — all wrapped around unforgettable music.
DF: Lastly, what’s next for Dr. Romance as we make our way through 2025?
Dr. Romance: This is shaping up to be a milestone year for us. Now that we’re finally releasing the music we have been creating for the past two years, we are looking to expand our reach. We love New Orleans but are eager to bring Dr. Romance to a global audience.