The multi-faceted Jon1st kicks off 2024 ready to showcase more of what he’s been working on. The world champion turntablist is known for his experimental production and high-tempo sonics. His fast-paced DJ style collides DnB genres with melody, hip-hop, and alternative flares. After being nominated for BBC 6 Music‘s mix of the year, he continued the momentum with a thumping Mux Mool remix and multiple US return dates. Today, we’re lucky to sit down with the notorious Jon1st and take a peek behind his project, collaborations, and his support for K.L.O at Cervantes on March 14th.
Khalila (Electric Hawk): Let’s get started! For those who are just getting to know you, how would you describe your sound?
Jon1st: I’m from the UK but I’ve always shared an interest in both UK and US club music, hip-hop, dub, and dancehall. I try to fuse my favorite elements of these genres and like to write very melodic and percussive music. In a club setting, I strive for high-energy sets while exploring DJing and creative mixing as a performance, taking influence from a variety of DJing styles. Also, I’m a big fan of collaboration and have experimented with a few different projects over the years. My projects can range from jungle and juke-inspired, such as with Arcane or more beat-influenced, such as with Shield.
K: Was there anything or anyone that inspired you to pursue music?
J: It was more a general experience of hearing scratching and beats used in popular rock music when I was younger and wanting to learn how to do that myself. When it came to learning how to scratch, one particular record that stood out to me was a collaboration between the X-Ecutioners and The Beat Junkies called “X-ecution of a Bum Rush.” It was the first time I heard a track with lots of turntablists scratching different elements.
K: So, with that said, when and how did you get started on your music path?
J: When I was really young, a lot of popular alternative music had hip-hop and electronic influences. Something in those sounds really resonated with me. I had a free demo copy of basic music software called Ejay and started messing around with that in the early 2000s. Since I really enjoyed it, I bought my set of turntables in 2003 when I was 15, eager to learn more about scratching and mixing. It was such an exciting time for me. Not only did I learn about playing an instrument for the first time and the technical side of scratching, but I was also fascinated with exploring and learning different types of electronic music. I began to gravitate towards electronic genres like liquid DnB, early dubstep, hip-hop, and later the LA beats scene.
I got involved in the turntablist scene, attending jams and eventually battling for a few years, and started playing publicly as a DJ in 2007 when I was 18. While at a university in 2009, I started as a promoter, booking emerging electronic artists who were on the fringes of the LA beats and UK bass music sounds. Eventually, some of those artists started experimenting with elements from Chicago footwork, too. It was a really exciting time, a real melting pot era.
K: To build off your last answer a bit more. Was it production first, then scratching? Do you prefer one over the other?
J: Initially, it was production, but on a very basic level. Once I bought turntables, I didn’t spend significant time on production until around 2014, about ten years into me DJing and scratching. I’ve always invested in collecting and showcasing music I like as a DJ. However, in terms of my own projects, I heavily invested myself in turntablist battles between 2010-2013. Once I had my win in DMC in 2013, I wanted to continue being creative by making turntablist/performance-based DJ material. Also, I wanted to explore and learn more about production while actively involved in the scenes of music I was playing out and showcasing as a promoter.
Lately, I’m a lot more focused on producing and mixing rather than scratching. My personal preference for scratching in recent years has been trying to create things that sound good and thinking of interesting composition ideas rather than spending all my time trying to become an amazing soloist.
K: Let’s talk about the upcoming Cervantes, Denver, CO play. The night’s lineup includes performances by Base2, & K.L.O headline. Have you performed alongside any of these artists before?
J: I’m looking forward to it! I’ve actually known Lone Drum from K.L.O since we were about 18 or so. We grew up in the same area, shared mutual friends, and were both involved in playing hip-hop nights. We’ve not performed on a lineup together for over ten years, so the ability to do that again on the other side of the world will be a lot of fun! I’ll be playing a varied set of music I’m into right now and showcasing new music I’ve been working on.
Hear what Jon1st has in store for Cervantes yourself! Grab your tickets and join us under the Funktion-One Sound on March 14th.
K: To wrap things up, any 2024 goals you’d like to share?
“My main music goal this year is to keep pushing myself to try new things creatively. I have a few collaborative projects that I’m very excited to share soon.”
Jon1st
From collabs to solo style discovery, Jon1st seamlessly and consistently defies the boundaries of various genres. Influenced by so many genres at a young age, his music now exemplifies cohesion at its finest. With talent ranging in different musical realms, Jon1st keeps us dancing to upbeat atmospheres, creative production, and legendary scratching. As we anticipate his upcoming releases, we know we’ll be hitting Cervantes for his K.L.O supporting set to hold us over.
Can’t make it to Denver? Catch Jon1st at one of the other US stops!
Cover image of Jon1st by Hari Datta
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