Phones on the dancefloor—necessary evil or ultimate vibe killer? CID is throwing his opinion into the mix with ‘No Phones’, his latest release on Toolroom Trax. A track built for the real ones, it’s an unapologetic nod to clubbers and DJs who want to lose themselves in the music rather than a screen. Featuring rising US vocalist Dances, the track rolls with a raw groove, minimal and Latin influences, and a trumpet section that ties everything together.
For CID, the track isn’t about dictating dancefloor etiquette but rather stirring the pot.
“The No Phones debate has been floating around social media for a while now, and this track was really just our way of stirring the pot and having a bit of fun with it,” he says. “I’ve definitely had my fair share of phones obnoxiously in my face while DJing, but honestly, as long as you’re having a good time at the show, I don’t really care if you take a picture or video—just keep it low-key, haha!”
CID’s catalogue spans some of the biggest house music imprints—Armada Subjekt, Repopulate Mars, Solotoko. But when it comes to choosing a home for a track, it’s about more than just the name.
“Having a bigger artist champion a song makes a huge difference. Lee played a big role in helping me break through a few years ago with the releases I did on Repopulate Mars,” CID explains. “Releasing on different labels gives you the opportunity to tap into their community, which can be a game-changer for an artist’s growth. It’s not just about the music—it’s about connecting with new audiences and building something bigger.”
CID has also been making waves with his new project alongside Shiba San, ALL U NEED, which had a strong debut on Toolroom Trax.
“I’ve been a fan of Shiba San for a long time. After playing a few shows and festivals together, we naturally connected. We’ve always had a lot of mutual respect for each other as producers, so when this idea came up, we just ran with it!”
From its first vocal idea to its final mixdown, ‘No Phones’ came together organically.
“I got in the studio with Dances a while ago, and we recorded a ton of vocals and ad-libs. When I went through everything later, the ‘No Phones, No Cameras, Just Dancing’ line immediately stood out, and I knew I had to build an idea around it.
Finding a great vocal or standout hook is usually the hardest part of producing, but luckily, we had that from the start. The initial idea came together pretty quickly, and from there, it just kept evolving. The arrangement took quite a few tweaks to get just right—but once we added the trumpet, it really tied everything together.”
Dances brings an undeniable energy to ‘No Phones’, marking another strong feature in his growing discography. CID recalls how their collaboration started in an unexpected way.
“I’ve wanted to work with Dances for a long time. We first met at EDC Vegas a few years ago, and funny enough, it all started with a t-shirt. I was wearing merch from Tina’s, a local diner in Bushwick near where I live. I had no idea that Dances used to live in New York, but when he saw the shirt, I guess he was like, ‘Okay, we can be friends,’ haha.”
From winning a Grammy to crafting club weapons, CID’s approach to production has shifted over time, though his core philosophy remains the same.
“Trends will always come and go, and as a producer and artist, new sounds will continue to inspire you. The key is to never stop learning and pushing yourself to improve, no matter how long you’ve been in the game.”
“My approach to making music hasn’t really changed, but after putting in so many hours, I can usually bring an idea to life much faster now. As for DJing, I think things really took a turn for the better after the first EDM boom ended. There’s now an entire generation that grew up on dance music—you don’t have to rely on crowd-pleasers anymore. You can truly take people on a journey, and more often than not, what excites them the most is something they’ve never heard before.”
So, what’s CID’s final stance on phones in the club?
“There have definitely been a few moments. I think, in moderation, do what you want—but if your phone is affecting someone else’s experience, like hovering over their head in the crowd, maybe just don’t do that, haha.”
Beyond ‘No Phones’ and ALL U NEED, CID has big plans for the year ahead.
“I’m super excited about my next tour, the GET INTIMATE tour. The whole concept is about being up close and personal with the crowd and creating a stronger sense of connection and community at the shows.”
“I’m also gearing up to relaunch my label, Night Service Only. I took a few months off from releases, but I’m really excited about what we have in the pipeline—it’s going to be a big year!”
And if CID could play ‘No Phones’ in the perfect setting?
“A packed, sweaty club with a killer sound system—and not a phone in sight! That’s the dream.”
CID
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