INTERVIEW: Jordan Raymond

Dylan Dylan gets things started with a slice of deep, UKG style beats, Marc Brauner & Jimbo Mack collaborate and make a continuation of the UKg vibe with a German flavour, followed by Foreach with a serious dose of uplifting breakbeat business. Togethrs produces some sublime drum & bass sounds, and Minor Sine Project brings us vibey, acid breaks. Jordan Raymond supplies some atmospheric, laid back rhythms, followed by Nørus & DJ WHIPR SNIPR who drop a powerful chunk of bassline orientated material. Withheld brings the heat with an extended, melodic breakbeat excursion and lastly, Florian winds things down with a deep and blissful track that serves up luscious pads and ingenious rhythms. Check it out!

We have had the pleasure of speaking with him and this has been the result

What was the first thing that attracted you to the world of electronic music?

I remember not being very attracted to the electronic music scene growing up, there were a lot of shit clubs in derby playing a lot of awful dance music. It wasn't till I moved to Manchester in 2017 that I started to understand the effect of electronic music in a club setting, places like hidden, soup kitchen and the white hotel had a big effect on me.

Do you remember any record or concert that changed everything?

Two Tracks, Unfinished Symthpathy - Massive Attack and Papua New Guinea - The Future Sound of London. I was around 10/11 when I was introduced to these tracks by my sisters then boyfriend who was a dj in my hometown of Derby. Before this I was mostly into metal so it was a real eye opener in terms of what music had to offer sonically and emotionally.

Since you got into this professionally, what have you missed the most nationally, internationally and on the contrary, what has helped you to grow the most, even to believe in yourself?

I still don't class myself as "Professional" but in terms of personal growth I think letting go of any notion of "making it" has helped me to create more and worry less. For me self believe comes in waves, one day I feel like I'm making my best work, the next I don't even wanna think about creating. But that's normal, right ?

How is the music scene in your city experiencing this murky pandemic situation?

The music scene in Manchester has been pretty stop/start (understandably). I'v only managed to go to a handful of events, Both at The White Hotel actually, They were Erol Alkan and Eartheater. I mean its Manchester so musics a massive part of the cities identity, it's gonna take a lot to really impact that in a negative way.

What are your favorite places to hang out in the city?

My sofa with Abi (my girlfriend)

Have you had time to focus on making music, spending time with your family, or planning future projects?

I make time to be creative with music for at least an hour everyday, be that dj'ing or producing.It's been hard to make time for family due to the pandemic (they live 2 hours away) but we're all planning on getting together soon which I'm proper happy about haha. I have a few tracks coming out as free downloads via Bunshin Records and an ep in the works with Sengiley Wax.

How was your last project born?

This EP was kinda born out of desperation to make something concise, fun and straightforward. I was also getting sober at the time so I was feeling hopeful, I feel like "New Energy Vibe" carries that feeling.

What do you want to convey in this work? What is the concept behind?

There isn't really a concept, just 4 tracks I really like and felt comfortable showing. I come from the school of letting people decide their own narratives to music and art. I don't wanna spell anything out.

As for your studio, what is your setup currently made of?

Going through a bit of a transitional period atm but for this ep I used...

Elektron Digitakt

Alesis 3630

Alesis Microverb 3

Novation Bass Station ii

Yamaha mt120

Focusrite 18i20

Abelton

KRK Rokits

What is the one team you will never get rid of, no matter what?

Guessing you mean piece of gear ? Probably the Digitakt... best thing iv ever bought.

(If you do mean "team" that would be Derby County Football Club even if they are shit)

What would you say is the definition of your sound?

Reverb, delay, distortion, chain smoking, Detroit house and Dub Techno.

What was the last record store you visited and what did you get out of it?

Popped into Vinyl Exchange on Oldham Street in Manchester and picked up REPEAT REPEAT - Why Must (Soma Records) and Claude Young - DJ-KICKS EP (!k7 Records)

BUY

Arts Links:

- https://soundcloud.com/financialbanker

- https://www.instagram.com/jordanraymondfc

Links label

-https://soundcloud.com/sengileywax

-https://www.instagram.com/sengiley_wax

-https://www.facebook.com/sengileywax