We recently had a chat with Dirtybird up-and-comer Justin Jay. The LA young buck has been crashing into the scene under the wings of Claude and crew. He latest release Static is a smooth blend of Sn Francisco bass pop a classic deep vibes. As BPM’s sway below 120, deep looks like the genre of the minute with the dance youth feeding into the ‘house revival’ as it swings in full force. Fresh producers like Justin Jay were brought up correctly with quality house and their studio prowess shows. As the old mixes with the new, a new crowd fills swanky clubs and pushes bottle service aside.

Jay is right where he needs to be, rolling with the Dirtybird squad to grace the stage at high profile events across the country. With a spot on deck for Hard’s Summer Festival and a hinted release on an American dance imprint (and guesses?) Justin promises to be at the top of the new techno trend. Take a look on what he had to day about Dirtybird, dance, and drums. 

 

Your story has become more and more common, young producer, big opportunity, and real break though. What do you see as the Pro’s of getting out there early like so many new top producers?

Being able to start playing out at real venues is a huge positive. I think it takes lots of time and experience DJing to become really excellent at it. There’s only so much that can be learned in the bedroom, or at sloppy high school/college parties. I’m very thankful to be playing as much as I am, and I feel like it’s already taught so much about the craft of DJing. 

You’ve been making appearance on Dirtybird over the past few years, with this so-called ‘house revival’ Claude’s crew is really making moves in US dance music. How has is been to be taken under the wing of these guys?

It’s a total dream come true! I’ve been a huge Dirtybird fan for a while and it’s surreal playing alongside all of these amazing artists on a regular basis. The label’s music speaks for itself but all of the Dirtybird guys really do have this infectious goofy, but down-to-Earth disposition; having lots of fun, and not taking things too seriously. Being surrounded by people who exude that type of warmth is such a pleasure.

You have had some real highlights in your life, brushing shoulders with some big names all across the board. As the evolution of deep house seems to be on the horizon of dance in general, it seems you are getting in the groove. Not to be cliché, but where do you see the whirlwind of electronic music going 

I think the current format of big room house has to evolve soon. With all of the big DJs rinsing the same cuts that are at the top of the beatport charts, and with music that hasn’t grown very much, sonically, since 2011, kids are definitely getting desensitized to the music. Guys like Disclosure and Hot Natured are getting college kids in LA into the deeper side of things so hopefully that continues and opens people’s tastes up to even more good music. In middle school, the super aggressive stuff was what got me really involved in dance music and going to shows. After awhile, I just got bored with those styles and fell in love with the groovier side of things. The same is true for a lot of my friends. I hope the kids who just started listening to all of this music experience the same shift in taste over the next few years.

So you just came out with a big new tune. Static has an amazing tone while also being versatile through all aspects of house. I guess the best way to judge where you wanted to go with this is what Djs would you really love to see supporting this in their sets?

 

I just wanted really diverse support genre wise. Beyond that, I really had no idea where this record would go. It’s way more aggressive than the stuff I normally make so I really didn’t have any expectations for who would like it. Just the fact that Barclay (Claude Vonstroke) was into it and started playing it out was awesome. Tiga dropping it in his Boiler Room and on his BBC Radio 1 mix was pretty wild as well. Beyond that there’s definitely been some really surprising feedback on the EP, whether it’s deep house aficionados supporting Static, or big dubstep guys feeling Waves, the B-side.

 

For all those aspiring producers out there, give the kids a bit of insight on where you start a tune. What goes in to the beginning?

I’m always starting projects in different ways. When starting a new song, I often just throw a bunch of stuff against the wall to see what sticks. In turn, the starting point of my work can be random, whether it’s starting with a quirky sample, building drum grooves, or working with melodies and chords. I’ve found that it can be really difficult when the missing piece of a cool idea is a strong bass line so things are normally a lot easier when the low end is done first or at least towards the beginning of the process. Having a predetermined starting point for all of your work might limit your creativity over time, but at the end of the day, it’s super important to just do whatever feels right.

So a few ‘industry insiders’ keep talking about this electronic music bubble popping. Not sure what that’s all about, good or bad. If it does what do you think we are all going to be covered in? Slime? Glow Sticks? And who will you seek shelter with when the dance apocalypse hits?

I think the colossal music festival and Top 100 DJ culture will die down which really won’t affect the type of music I’m into. No one I’m affiliated with gets paid $300,000 for an hour-long set. I’d like to think that the more underground stuff won’t be greatly impacted by the big room shenanigans. Who knows though? Either way, it’s definitely crazy times for dance music. We’ll see what happens.

Ok so give us all the secrets. What’s coming up that you can’t tell anyone about? It’s ok we will be sure not to go public with it.

You can expect to see consistent output from me on Dirtybird. I’m also starting to work with another really cool American deep house imprint that I’m super stoked on. I can’t be any more specific than that unfortunately. Also, keep an eye out for the Dirtybird party in Detroit during DEMF this spring! Everyone’s playing back-to-back sets. Ardalan and I will be destroying the dancefloors with those West Coast vibes!