Toman Lands a Beatport #1 with Latin-Laced Heater "Verano En NY”

Hey Toman, congratulations on scoring a Beatport #1 with ‘Verano En NY’! How are you feeling, and have you had a chance to celebrate?

Thank you so much! I’m feeling incredibly happy, grateful and honestly a bit flabbergasted by all the support. It’s such a surreal moment to see the track at #1 on Beatport. I’ve definitely taken a moment to soak it in and celebrate a little. It’s been amazing to share this with the people who’ve supported me from the start.

‘Verano En NY’ has been making serious waves on dance floors around the world, with widespread support from the likes of Marco Carola, Carl Cox, Beltran, Chris Stussy, ANOTR, Joseph Capriati (the list goes on). What inspired you to rework that iconic '70s Latin track, and what was your creative process like for this one?

I actually first heard the original track while on a long drive (about four hours) from Punta Cana to Las Terrenas in the Dominican Republic. It came on the radio and it instantly grabbed me. I Shazamed it right away and saved it. When we finally got to our accommodation, I had a two-week holiday ahead of me, staying in this beautiful remote jungle spot right next to the beach. The vibe was perfect for creating, and I felt super inspired. That’s where the idea for "Verano En NY" started taking shape. It all came together very naturally and was one of those magical moments where everything just clicks.

When/where did you make the track, how long has it been in the works, and what was the exact moment you knew you tapped into something special?

So I started the initial sketch while I was in the jungle in the Dominican Republic. Once I got back to Amsterdam, I took it into the studio and properly arranged and polished it. The first time I played it out was on February 14 during my first-ever headline show at The Loft in Amsterdam, where I played all night long. Somewhere in the middle of the set, I decided to test it out and the reaction was insane. People started shouting, jumping, completely losing it. That was the exact moment I realized this track had something special. Ever since, every time I’ve played it, the response has been just as wild.

This is your debut on Solid Grooves – a label known for championing top-tier club heat. What does it mean to have a track on the imprint, and what were PAWSA and Michael Bibi’s reactions to hearing the tune?

I’ve been playing for the Solid Grooves brand for a few years now in London, Barcelona and Ibiza, so over time, I built a real connection with the crew. PAWSA and Bibi became friends and I started sending them some of my unreleased music. They had already been supporting a few of my tracks but when I sent them "Verano En NY," they jumped on it immediately and wanted to sign it. I’m genuinely grateful for the opportunity it’s a big moment for me. We actually celebrated the release together and funny enough, they told me it was going to hit #1 before I even believed it myself. I wasn’t sure at the time… but here we are.

You launched your own label, High Ceilings, earlier this year. What was your vision for the label, and can you tell us a bit about what inspired the name behind it?

The name High Ceilings actually goes back 17 years. It started in my parents' house, where I had a tiny bedroom studio with very high ceiling and terrible acoustics. We were making all kinds of music back then hip-hop, R&B, house and we called ourselves High Ceilings. That name stuck with me ever since. When I decided to launch my own label this year, it just felt right. It reflects not only that early chapter but also the label’s deeper vision: space to create, freedom to breathe, and room to grow.

With such a strong run behind you, what's next on the horizon? Are there any upcoming collaborations, label drops, or unexpected directions we should be aware of?

There’s a lot of exciting music lined up for High ceilings. Not just from me, but also from other artists. The next release will be from Mateo Dufour, a good friend from Buenos Aires, who’s coming in strong with an incredible EP. We’ve already been playing it out and it’s dropping later this summer. I’m also working on some new collaborations with two absolute legends, can’t say too much yet, but more on that very soon.