1. Hi there. It is nice to have you back here at TranceSound.net again. How have you been ?
Jes: Hi, I have been great thanks so much, busy the way I like it. We released the first single "Lovesong" at the beginning of the year and then the "HIGH GLOW" album last month and I have started touring that. I am working on some new songs with BT, as well as a new track called "N.Y.C." with Richard Durand. We have alot of new mixes coming for that song which is on ISOS 8. We also just filmed an amazing futuristic new music video for the second single "Closer".
2. What's in the world of JES lately ? Let me put it in a very unique way... What's in the planet of JES nowadays ?
Jes: Planetjes has been hit by an asteroid and split into many new Planets... "High Glow" is doing really well and gaining a lot of new listeners for me. I just had songs placed in a Feature Film and a TV show (Sorcerers Apprentice & ABC-Castle).. We've started producing our own videos for the songs which has been a lot of fun, but also a huge amount of work as well. I am keeping up with my podcasts and some new collaborations.
3. You've called your new release, "High Glow", how come ?
Jes: "High Glow" is about change and reinvention, a new era for me. I had originally written the "Taxigirl" song "HIGH GLOW" as a guitar song while I was out on the "Elements Of Life" tour with Tiesto. It took me back to a musical place I used to be in before I was so involved with Electronic Dance Music. It then became the inspiration for me to start writing from that place again, so it seemed a good idea to use it as the centre for my new album.
4. Now, you are finally emerging to new heights of accessibility. How has this whole transition been for you ?
Jes: In a word... complicated. It's always tough trying to expand your horizons, and obviously we all suffer from growing pains sometimes! ... We worked really hard to try to make sure we didn't lose anyone along the way, and while there's not so many trance tracks per se on the record, there is a huge amount of the sonic influence of the electronic music that I love. We're putting together great remix packages for the singles to keep the music alive on the dance floor and in the clubs. Often the remixes work better in that arena anyway, because the remixer is free to make something that is totally about the club experience, and I love hearing my songs reworked, you hear so many fresh ideas and things you hadn't thought of!
5. So, who do you have on the album ?
Jes: "High Glow" features many of my long term collaborators... Richard Robson, Steve Sidelnyk, Jim Jacobson and also Mike City. I wanted to make sure that many of the people I have worked with for years were on it with me. I really gravitate to certain collaborators and friends that have shared music with me and I wanted to make sure everyone of them was on this record.
6. In terms of production, who all did you work with ?
Jes: I recorded the majority of the album with Richard Robson from the UK. We recorded all over in Europe, Holland, in the UK and in Los Angeles and NYC. We just kind of set up where I happened to be. I also worked with... like I said many of my dear talented friends. I just wanted everyone to be with me on the record, to be a part of it so we recorded in many different places. Richard Robson and I have been working together for a while and it's just so wonderful when you connect creatively like that. He really just lets me get myself 100% down on the recording and that is really the key to it all. Getting that magic recorded, so I have been fortunate to work with a producer who see's that.
7. Are there any artists planning to do remixes of some of the tracks off the new album ?
Jes: We have a great new selection coming up for the two new singles "Closer" and "Awaken." Remix packages are always so much fun to put together... Cosmic Gate and Jonas Steur have already worked on "LoveSong" and for "Closer" the next single we have... Bimbo Jones, Coco Channel, Kris O'Neill & Loverush UK. The remixes really are a hugely important part of staying current in the dance world...
8. Are there any current plans to tour behind it ?
Jes: I'm always touring... its the best part of making music to go out and perform it for new people and although we have been all over the world, there are always more places to go. It is especially important now because the album just got released, so yeah I'm out playing somewhere most weekends... you can find tour dates on my MySpace and official websites. If there isn't something close by you in the near future then request your local club promoters to book me for a show in your area or demand it on Eventful.com
9. How does "High Glow" differ and/or compare to previous albums ?
Jes: "Disconnect" was a period when I was establishing myself as a solo artist after working with different DJ's and bands, so it included many songs that had already been released in some way somewhere in the world. It was also the start of me defining my new sound and introducing that to the fans who knew me from my past work. "High Glow" was written during a time of great change and instability in the world and its about the possibility of reinvention and seeing the opportunities that changes can bring, not just focusing on what we may have lost. I've always been lucky enough to work with so many talented people in the dance world and having had that experience of the last 2 albums "Disconnect" and my chill-out "Into The Dawn" and with the remix coverage from great producers and DJ's. I felt less pressure this time to make my album conform to that scene, rather I wanted to help it take those sounds and influences to a wider audience.
10. Now when it comes to your lyrics, what motivates/inspires you the most ?
Jes: Well great lyrics inspire me a lot, as well as, books and movies and life and my friends and their lives! I try to get into the zone when writing so it sort of flows and that often takes a while for me to get into it. I am very picky and it can sometimes be hard to get out what I'm trying to say... sometimes I don't even know what I'm trying to say lol! I'm also a crazy dreamer and I dream very vivid things every night and try to capture some of that or at least the feelings it evokes. I read alot and I listen to alot of different types of music. Life in general inspires me. Its quite filled with crazy stuff and my friends and fans inspire me with their stories too. I grab anything I can.
11. Are there any plans for some individual records once this album is released ?
Jes: I am always working on a many new songs, collaborations and even another album. It's a continuous process, but there will be at least 3-4 singles from "HIgh Glow". The first one was "Lovesong" and I expect we'll release 3 further singles... next one is "Closer" we just shot an amazing video for that. There's also songs with BT, "Every Other Way" and "Light in Things" and the Jes & Richard Durand anthem "N.Y.C." from the new ISOS 8 (In Search of Sunrise) along with some very hot remixes for that one.
12. In your previous interview, back in 2007, You have mentioned about Rocktronica, so I need to know what inspired You to follow this path ?
Jes: I started writing rock and pop songs before I was involved in the dance music scene so the rock part goes way back for me. As I got involved in dance music, I became a huge fan of the beats and production, so Rocktronica was my way of combining the songwriting that I loved with this new electronic musical world I had begun to discover. I love to try and keep some of the acoustic elements of rock in my tracks, so often I use guitars, bass guitars, piano and other instruments on my songs, but they all get a dance treatment. Being a singer, I love to connect with a great vocal in a song, and that is usually the focus of all my tracks, to try and reach out and touch the listeners with the vocals.
13. Literally, what made you step out a bit of the EDM genre ?
Jes: I wanted to go back to my roots and just play music more organically. It always helps me to make a better song this way. It's funny but often the songs I write are completed to a non dance track while I'm in the writing process and then we rework them into dance tracks. So, for me often the track that comes out seems like a remix already! I have been able to work with great people in the Dance world and it's the remix culture that drives so much of the best tracks in the EDM world. I was sure that the songs on "High Glow" would be remixed for club releases and DJ's so I felt that I could use my album as an opportunity to try and take the dance influences that I love to a wider audience.
14. To date, what has been the key to your success ?
Jes: A little bit of many things, you just have to always give the best you can. Its also work work work and good luck, as well as, having the love and support of the people that you work with. It's a very hard business but having that support around you really helps get through the tougher times and allows you to do what you do best; write, sing and perform.
15. How do you view the current climate of today's EDM artists ? Are you content with it all ?
Jes: EDM has been crossing over so that people outside of this world can understand the artistry and expression in the music, people don't think its all just about DJ's and Kick drums anymore! There's a lot of music out there... Things have to change and there are some great strides with many EDM artist crossing the music over to the mainstream and hitting the masses. That's exciting. And yet we still strive to be different and grow as a musical genre so for me I am never content and always looking for new outlets for our music.
16. Before we wrap this up, do you have any parting words for the TranceSound.net community or anyone else really ?
Jes: I would just like to say I can't imagine life without music and thank you for all of the wonderful inspiration and love. That we can share this together is pretty special and I feel very lucky! -BIG KISS !
Interview made by Cosmin Lukacs (TranceSound.net admin/founder)
Links:
Jes official website
Jes @ MySpace
Cosmin Lukacs official website
Cosmin Lukacs @ MySpace
