Founder and A&R of Life and Death Records, Manfredi Romano grew up
tour-managing punk bands and organizing left-field music events in Italy around the
turn of the Millennium. Having completed his studies in computer science at the
University of Pisa, Manfredi then formed DAZE, Italy’s first booking agency solely
devoted to electronic music.
Drawing on two decades of experience behind the scenes, Romano shifted focus to
DJ Tennis, established in 2010 and quickly gained worldwide recognition in the
electronic music scene. Since then, he frequently plays in renowned clubs such as
Circoloco Ibiza, Fabric London and Panorama Bar in Berlin; festivals like Sonar,
Timewarp, Primavera Sound and Coachella; and held a Phonox residency in London
in 2022. Since 2017, he co-founded and curates the music festival Rakastella during
Art Basel, Miami, a collaborative effort between Life and Death and Innervisions.
As a performer, DJ Tennis has the unique ability to create intimate atmospheres in
the vastest of gatherings, blending elements of house, techno and disco in eclectic
and captivating ways. Manfredi is also a long-time producer; in his studio work he
consistently channels his past relationships with post-rock luminaries such as
Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Tortoise and Fugazi into intricately-synthesized
electronic constellations. Throughout his career, DJ Tennis’ music has been released
on Kompakt, Rhythm Assault, Running Back Records, !K7, Cercle Records, Aus
Music, Circoloco Records, other than having frequent his own releases on Life and
Death. Tennis also remixed the likes of Diplo, Boys Noize, Loco Dice,
WhoMadeWho, Acid Pauli and more.
After periods of his life spent in Miami, Berlin and Barcelona, DJ Tennis currently
resides in Paris. Outside of studios and clubs, Manfredi Romano worked as a chef, a
passion that he combined with music as a menu curator for different charity events
and in collaborations with Beatport at ADE, Pioneer, and Resident Advisor. Manfredi
is also an avid collector of bicycles as well as vintage action-figures, and is always
building upon his vinyl record collection – which now numbers over eleven-thousand
strong.
