1. Tell me Jason, did you always know from even way back then that you wanted to make a career out of your music ?
Jason Jollins: I never had any intention of making a career out of music. I started playing the drums at the age of 6 and I was also very young when I started DJ'ing. When I was introduced to electronic dance music I absolutely loved it. I bought my first pair of turntables in 1989 and the art of Dj'ing has been a part of me ever since. I have been DJ'ing for most of my life and I was very fortunate to be picked up by the Intergroove Label Group when I started my record label in 2002. When I graduated from college I was working in the Online Advertising Industry for a few years while also juggling my DJ schedule. It just so happened that so many international offers for me to perform were coming in that I eventually quit my full time job and have been DJ'ing full time ever since. I have been very fortunate and it is a privilege to be able to share my passion on a consistent basis with friends and fans on a global level.
2. Being invited to my weekly show, the TranceSound Session, I came up with a final conclusion. Your sound is very unique, so what is the most accurate way to best describe what actually happens when you pick up those tracks while mixing ?
Jason Jollins: I would classify myself as a Progressive House Dj, but not in the traditional form. I tend to play many different styles within my sets, but do so in a progressive way where I am constantly building in energy. Each track that I play will have a little bit more energy than the track before it, creating a constant progression throughout my set. I think it is extremely important for a Dj to be diverse when it comes to track selection. I play Deep House, House, Progressive House, Tech-House, Techno, Minimal, Tech-Prog, Trance, Tech-Trance, etc... But tend to concentrate more on playing tracks that move me rather than on what style they are. I prefer to play diverse genre bending danceable Dj sets that last at least 5 hours.
A great Dj in my opinion has the ability to weave in and out of many different sub genres in a way that creates a seamless soundscape. Sort of like telling a story and bringing the crowd for a ride. I love bass lines, vocal dubs, great melodies, tracks that have a unique edge to them, tracks that move the soul, lots of teasing, feeling, and emotion... I am very detail oriented when it comes to mixes & transitions. I come from a time when Dj's would create a journey within there Dj sets. I don't like to just play tracks; I like to tell a story with every set.
3. The term Progressive House has been seen by some as a "dirty word" within the industry. What are your thoughts on the term Progressive House and some of the negative press it has received in the past ?
Jason Jollins: When I am music shopping I shop in the Minimal, House, Progressive House, Electro, Tribal, Tech House, Trance and Techno section. One reason is because I like to play many different styles within my sets. However, it's also because there is so much mislabeling of tracks throughout the industry, especially in the past few years as new sub-genres are being created so often. You can find great house tracks in the Progressive House section as well as great Progressive House tracks in the Minimal or Techno section, etc... The problem in my opinion is that there are so many crossover tracks that have different elements of different sub-genres that they are very hard to nail down to just one style. People do their best to label tracks in a proper way, but sometimes genre associations are not so cut and dry.
People for years have been saying Progressive House is dead (just as they have said with Trance, Tech House, House, etc...) and now they are saying the same thing about Minimal. If you go to a Sasha or a John Digweed show anywhere around the world you will see that Progressive House is far from dead. Progressive House Dj's draw some of the biggest crowds in the world. Great music is great music, each sub genre of House, Trance and Techno have great tracks. The DJ’s job is to find these great tracks and to present them at the right time and in a right way. Progressive House is far from dead and never was. You can have two Progressive House Dj's playing back to back and they can have a completely different sound from one another.
I think that when a lot of people think of Progressive House they think of a sound that was around in 10 years ago. One of the great things about this sub-genre is that it is always changing and evolving. Progressive House today is completely different on many levels from what Progressive House was 10 years ago. And it appeals to the educated music crowd while at the same time has the ability to appeal to the commercial crowd as well. And one of the key things that I have noticed throughout my tours is that the term Progressive House has a completely different meaning throughout the America’s as it does throughout Europe. When the term Progressive House is mentioned in many places throughout Europe, they usually have a completely different sound in mind.
4. On your website you have some excellent live Dj mixes and CD projects available for free download. How often do you upload mixes to your website and are you planning on uploading a new mix soon ?
Jason Jollins: The initial reason for me to build a website in the late 1990's was so that I would have a means to share my mixes with others on a mass level. I love the positive feedback that I receive and the popularity of my website has been astounding. I have over 50 Dj mixes that can be downloaded for free by visiting Jason Jollins - Acute Recordings and clicking on the Music Link or by visiting my Podcast on Itunes (accessible by searching for Jason Jollins).
5. What future goals and plans do you have in order to maintain longevity in this EMI (Electronic Music Industry) ?
Jason Jollins: I've had a lot of help from friends throughout my career and many fans have gotten behind me to help give me an extra push. Likewise I have had a few lucky breaks along the way. With that said, the Jason Jollins name is a self made. I have been extremely careful in regards to strategically building my name as an artist, have handled my own Dj bookings, management, tour schedules, etc… When the day comes that I am ready to stop touring, my plan is to become a manager / agent for new artists. I would absolutely love to get behind a few artists who inspire me and who I believe in. Of course I would also love to open my own club as well, but that is looking in the very distant future.
As for now though I have no desire to put a hold on DJ'ing and I will continue to give it 100%. I have met so many great people through my traveling, have seen so many great places, have performed in so many great venues, and have been fortunate enough to be able to share my passion / talent on a global level. I plan on enjoying this ride for as long as possible.
6. So, with that being said, what is your stake to the actual EDM (Electronic Dance Music) scene ?
Jason Jollins: As an artist, it is important for me to push this art form as far as I can and to represent it in the best way possible. It is important for me to represent EDM in what I feel is it’s most proper form, at least from my interpretation of it. To play my part in helping to spread EDM to all corners of our world, and beyond if I am ever so lucky.
7. In terms of gigs, London will see Your UK debut on 20th of August at the Ministry of Sound. Is there a planned tracklist/playlist for this event and how long your set is going to be ?
Jason Jollins: I am extremely excited to be playing in London. As a DJ who has performed in so many international territories, London in general plays such an important role in the global EDM scene. As for a play list, my Dj sets always change from gig to gig. Each week there are so many new promo's and new tracks being released so I am always updating my track lists. The length of my time slot is still being negotiated. I generally don't play less than 4 hour sets while touring and I usually play at least 5 - 6 hour sets. However, the lineup for MOS on August 20th is pretty stacked so it’s more than likely that I will be playing a shorter set than usual. Either way, there are many great DJ’s on the lineup for this event so the overall night will be ear candy for all who attend.
8. Speaking about gigs, I have seen that you have a better "coverage" in South America. Any plans to improve that for the Northern hemisphere ?
Jason Jollins: The majority of my international events are in the USA / Central and South America. However, I have played extensively throughout Eastern Europe as well as tours in Australia and Russia. I am just now starting to focus marketing efforts towards Europe and Asia, and it is just a matter of time before I make the same impact in these territories as I have in the America's. For years I have been touring internationally on a consistent basis, and I have been taking the process step by step. I have my record label and productions which have helped, however, the Jason Jollins reputation has been made almost solely through my Dj sets.
"There are people who play records and there are DJ's who blow minds" -
Eddie Halliwell.
I was lucky enough to be at Twilo for Sasha and Digweed's New York City debut. I am hoping to have the same musical impact on August 20th at MOS in London. Just as I was blown away by S&D's debut, I am hoping to take my London fans on an epic journey. I want to make an impact in London the same way crowds have been taken by my sets in many other territories throughout the world.
9. Why did United Underground take a brief hiatus from throwing events ?
Jason Jollins: United Underground is an event production and event promotion company that is geared towards helping to bring exposure to local and international talent by creating a platform for these artist to display their talent. I love to produce events, however, with my busy touring schedule it is quite hard to be consistent, especially when I am often not home in New York City. I have a great idea for an event concept that I would love to eventually produce. Unfortunately this project is going to need to be put on hold until I can find the time to make it happen.
10. What are some of the new developments over at Acute Recordings ?
Jason Jollins: Acute Recordings celebrated its 8th year anniversary in May of 2010. It's amazing really, the years since I have started the label have gone by so fast and it has been very exciting. Acute recordings was started on the foundation of helping unknown but extremely talented producers who have never had a release on a previous label. In turn, I give these artists there first release which serves as a platform to build from while also giving these artists as much global exposure as possible.
This format has been very successful as well as very fulfilling on a personal level. We currently have over 70 artists with tracks released on Acute and several of these artists have moved on to become well established producers within the industry. Artists such as Habersham have moved on to make a big impact, Federico Epis for instance is now releasing tracks on Renaissance & Global Underground, Manuel Sofia (aka MOS) is also doing some big things at the moment, Josel & Pedro have made a great name for themselves, etc... Every once in a while I will release something from a well established producer but the label will always serve the purpose of its initial intention.
11. A few new venues are due to open up in New York soon, have you heard the buzz about them yet, and what is your opinion ?
Jason Jollins: The NYC EDM scene is currently thriving and the future looks very bright. These new venues that are about to open aren't just new venues, they are opening with a great vision in mind, and with top of the line Sound and the most up to date night club technology. Some great things are about to happen, and I'm hoping that these new venues as well as our existing venues can all thrive together.
New York City is my home and Electronic Dance Music is something I am obviously very passionate about. As a DJ and as a fan of clubbing, words can't describe how excited I am about the near future. The hype that is currently out there on the local NYC forums is just a taste of what is to come. Clubbers throughout the tri-state area have just hit the lottery, and when these new clubs do open, people are going to be blown away...
12. What is Your favorite venue in NYC, and why ?
Jason Jollins: It's quite obvious that I'm going to say Pacha as I have been playing almost exclusively during the past 4 and a half years for Pacha New York and for Made Event here in NYC. Pacha has not only been the best venue for clubbing in NYC, it is easily one of the best venue's in the United States. They have made their mark in NYC clubbing history. When all is said and done, they will go down in history as a legendary NYC clubbing landmark. Pacha New York has a great sound system, a great lighting system, an absolutely amazing staff, and they have consistently booked the world's most popular Dj's, while also including local Dj's into the lineups. Pacha has always treated me extremely well. With that said, there are many great venue's for clubbing and for DJ'ing here in New York City. Each venue for separate reasons has something unique and special about them.
13. Any parting words ?
Jason Jollins: I would like to take this time to thank you for this interview and to thank everyone involved with the upcoming Ministry of Sound London event on August 20th. I also want to take this time to thank everyone who has been supporting me through my Websites and Podcast. I truly appreciate all of the positive emails & messages that I have been receiving in regards to my mixes as well as to those showing anticipation for my upcoming performance at MOS. London is a city that I have always wanted to perform in. Likewise, Londoners have been writing me for years asking me when I will be making my debut. We are just one week away and I am very excited!
Interview made by Cosmin Lukacs (TranceSound.net admin/founder) & Zaneta M. Soroko Ortiz aka Euphoria (TranceSound.net Co-admin)
Links:
Jason Jollins official website
Jason Jollins @ MySpace
Cosmin Lukacs official website
Cosmin Lukacs @ MySpace
