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JES Interview 2015

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JES Interview 2015

Just some weeks ago, an email arrived at Electro WOW. It came from Intonenation Records, the brand new label of JES one of my favorite female singers in the Trance world! One amazing fact about this email is that I had the opportunity to get to know more about this talented woman and artist. Today I am eternally grateful with JES who gave her time for this exclusive interview!

1 – Is your real name JES or just an artistic pseudonym?

Jes is my real name and JES is my pseudonym!

2 – Is it true that you come from an artistic family?

I come from a very artistic family. My mother was an actress and singer in the theatre and television when I was growing up. She is also an amazing visual artist that paints and sculpts so I was exposed to music and art at an early age. Living in New York we spent a lot of time visiting galleries and museums and that is still something that I love to do with my mother. We always had musical instruments around the house and I learned to play them. I started singing and writing songs at a very early age and used to learn all the songs I heard on the radio. My father also plays a little piano and my sister is an amazing photographer, so I think it’s safe to say my family is artistic!

3 – How was your work experience as an assistant engineer at a studio in LA?

Working in a studio was a very interesting experience ☺. I learned most things there from doing the wiring and maintenance to how to record different instruments and what all the different equipment is used for. There was a great variety of sessions there while I was working from film and movie sessions to rock legends and hip hop and pop. I also got to learn professional studio etiquette and after working in New York to support my music and being immersed in a musical environment was just wonderful for me. I think it helped me to have a better overview of the way people make music and use a studio as a creative tool so it was a really a valuable experience.

4 – What are your secrets for making a catchy Trance song?

I don’t think there’s any difference between making a catchy trance song and making any type of a catchy song. Personally I like to work on the song as a stripped down version with just a piano or guitar. If I can make it connect with people in that simple raw form then it will usually translate to almost any style and still connect. Music is really just a feeling and I find if I can make people feel something when they hear it then that’s the most important thing. For a really catchy song you want to make sure after you’ve heard it once that remember what it’s called and the hook is a big part of that. Personally, I don’t always go into writing a song from that point of view but if you need a catchy song then you want to start with a title and an idea that resonates with you and means something. Often it’s best to start with the chorus and build or deconstruct it from there but sometimes I like to just let rip and see what comes out!

5 – What’s your favorite Trance song of all time?

That is a tough question! There are so many amazing songs in this genre that it’s impossible to pick just one. Personally I tend to like things that are a little different or out of the ordinary. That’s what makes things interesting but if I had to pick…I’d say either Delerium feat. Sarah McLachlan – Silence (Tiesto’s In Search of Sunrise Remix) or As the rush comes Armin Van Buuren remix!

6 – What happened to your music project with Tiesto called “Allure”?

It actually it wasn’t my project but I contributed a song to the album. Tiesto had made a few releases for the Allure project before I got involved. The song I recorded for the project was called “Show Me The Way”. I wrote it on a Wurlitzer piano and it was like a beautiful ballad. Once Tiesto got it he turned it into an epic Trance track but I think it still managed to retain it’s unusual qualities. We shot a beautiful video for it in Ireland when it was released. That was a very memorable shoot! It’s been a very popular song and I still get asked all the time to perform it at most shows so I think we did good!

7 – Why did you decide to start your own label Intonenation Records?

It had been an ambition of mine for a long time to have a label. My team and I have been working on it for a while. It takes a lot of organization and planning but I’m really happy that we’ve done it. It’s great to be able to have an outlet for some of my music that may not otherwise find it’s way out to the fans and I’m very much looking forward to releasing music and supporting other artists through the label.

8 – How can singers, DJs and producers submit music to your record label?

The best was to submit your unsigned song or track is here:
http://bit.ly/InToneNationDemoSubmit

But you may also go to the Intonenation facebook at https://www.facebook.com/IntonenationRecords and there is a demo drop there as well.

To submit a promo for my Unleash The Beat Mixshow you can drop it here: http://jes.demodrop.com

9 – What are you currently working on?

I have moved into a new creative space in Los Angeles and it’s been a really productive time so far. My new song “Hold On” is out now on Beatport and releases on iTunes on July 6th with some amazing remixes from among others Fatum, North2South, Red Cube and Alex Kunnari. I’m really excited about that as it’s the first release on my own label so please check it out if you can. I’m working on a bunch of new collaborations and I’m planning a new artist album for later this year with a surprising release idea so stay tuned for news on that because it’s going to be something you don’t want to miss.

10 – How do you see yourself in 5 years?

In the next 5 years I would like to develop my label’s brand to be something that the fans can rely on as a source for great and innovative music. I would love my studio to be busy with the production work for the label and I’m fairly hands on so I would enjoy being involved in the development of new artists too. I hope to have 2 new albums out in that time and I would absolutely love to get a Grammy nomination for one of my own songs!

Hi, my name is Erick Ycaza. I have a BA in Advertising & Graphic Design. This blog is to provide you with daily music news and share my personal style.

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