From remixing pop stars to rocking his unique style all across the globe, JELO is definitely making his mark for the new year as one of the top contenders in Electro House & Techno. He has been one of the major trendsetters in Canada and continues to shatter the limits of this genre of music with revolutionary production and stage performances that are full of head banging, muppet-like antics to move the masses. The world has seen top-notch productions from JELO such as the anthem favorite “The Reward is Cheese” with Deadmau5 and “SpeakerHumper ” & “Donkey Punch” with Hatiras. JELO has licensed his music to compilations by Bad Boy Bill, DJ Skribble, Donald Glaude, John Aquaviva and FABRIC amongst many others. JELO is recognized in Canada as one of the fastest beat matchers and was awarded with Eye Magazine’s “Most Innovative DJ” award. His ability to read the dance floor is uncanny and he continues to move crowds across the globe in such places as Greece, Bangkok, Seoul, England, Dubai, Mexico and Taiwan. Additionally, this Canadian has done remixes for such pop icons as Nelly Furtado, Divine Brown and Tamia. His music has been in everything from chart-topping tracks on Beatport to Yahoo ringtones. We had a chance to chat with JELO. Read below to hear what makes this Electro House and Techno mastermind tick…
How did you get your start DJ’ing?
By raving!!! I was the guy you’d find mashing against the speaker like it was a love toy and watching the dj. I’d always loved music, especially industrial and rock. When I was 13, my aunt purchased me a dual cassette deck with the high speed dub switch – I’d use the pause button as my crossfader. Sure seems funny now but for me, at the time, it was the bees knees. Anyway, once I started hitting parties I learnt about mixers and then i taught myself how to mix. I’d skip classes to go downtown to buy records and blank tapes. I’d record myself jamming at night, then back school the next day where I gave out my mixtapes, with wrecked mixes and all.
Where did the name JELO come from?
It’s my initals! My whole family calls me JELO and that is also why in print it’s shown all in capitals.
How long did it take for you to start getting recognition in the scene?
I’m getting recognition? That’s so coooooooool!!!
What’s the biggest crowd you’ve played in front of?
You show up to some spots and it’s anyone’s guess as to how many are rocking in front of you. In my hometown ,Toronto, iDANCE @ city hall had 32,000 people.
What’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened at one of your shows?
There’s always something crazy going on at my shows, I just may not know about it while I’m up there performing. My friends catch it though, or the Promoter. Then I’m told what is was I’d missed and I end up feeling goofy for missing it.
Where is the most exotic location you’ve played at?
On the “Industrial” side I can think of a couple events. About 7 yrs ago, I was flown out to Arizona to play a full on massive at Castles and Coasters theme park. The promoters were able to get ALL the rides going. The loop of the one coaster was directly behind the DJ booth. Every 2 minutes or so, while I was performing I’d hear the wail of people in mid-scream flying past me. There’s also Club Volume in Seoul, Korea, which was an intense nightclub experience. That venue has a full-on sound system powered by Function1 and LCD walls. It was mental! But really, nothing compares to Burning Man. Absolutely nothing. I perform at the Root Society camp and it makes me feel quite fortunate. The “Burners” are there to have a great time and express themselves with liberty.
How was it playing at Burning Man?
Like I said, it’s one of the most unique events that I perform at. I look forward to performing at Burning Man year after year. I love the vibe. It’s contagious. I gotta give a shout out to Root Society for building a legit nightclub in the middle of the desert… Nuts!
What producer is catching your ear at the moment and why?
Hatiras, Adam K., Boys Noize, A-Trak, Laidback Luke, Heartache, Stupid Fresh, Calvertron, Will Bailey, Phil Kieran and MSTRKRFT. They all are doing impressive and wild stuff that I’m really digging.
How did Deadmau5 and yourself collaborate for “The Reward Is Cheese” and how was it working with him again?
You mean because “Cat On A Leash” was released a few months ago, right? Though “Cat On A Leash” came out on Beatport a year after “The Reward Is Cheese” it was actually written just a couple weeks after “The Reward” was done. Last time I saw him was at the airport in April 2008. He was going to Coachella and I was going to New York City to perform at Webster Hall. Both tracks were written in 2007.
Where did that track name come from?
We were going back and forth about the breakdown. He didn’t want one. I did. I said the title out loud and it stuck.
I see you’ve done a couple of tracks with Hatiras. Should we be expecting more work between you two?
We wrote a third song which will be out in January ‘09 called ‘La Tormenta’. It’s a dark twisted number with a nod to Daft Punks ‘Rolling and Scratching’ which is a fav of ours. The track is very much Techno music. There’s some loopy stuff going on but it grows, builds and drops in the fashion our last two songs have – with force.
What’s your favorite gear for production?
Because i’m always out, it’s my KORG nanoKEY, nanoPAD and KONTROL. I LOVE these things!!!! I write full on tracks with this gear when I’m on the road, on a plane, in my room or whatever. Using them has been a blast so far. They’re all portable and they’re great toys!
Who do you want to work with the most in the future?
TED. com and Marvel Comics.
Which of your own tracks is your favorite production and why?
So tough! Great question! Right now, it’s a 4 way tie! in no order:
“La Tormenta” with Hatiras because it’s so heavy and dark, it feels like a storm is rolling through.
“Due to love” which has a sample up now on my MySpace now. I worked on with &Co. and Kevin Drew from Broken Social Scene who is the vocalist on the track. It’s super proggy but still has Electro House synths and heavy JELO style drums.
Chris Anderson’s “Overdose” remix is sik – I’ve done the remix for Robb G’s PROMO Records. This track is pure old school love , rocking the rave feel which was popular with Glaude, Dan and Mullan back in the day.
Lastly but very very far from least, there’s this song I’ve collab’d with Adam K. called “The Good, The Bad and The Funky”. It’s fucking mental. There’s a heavy organ that leads to a drop that makes my eyes roll into the back of my head. Super duper stuff and cannot wait to finish it.
Any new tracks you’re working on that you’re really excited about?
Always. I never want to do the same thing twice or have tracks and remixes that do the exact same thing i’ve done before… figuring out new ways to drop drums and make stuff get heavy alongside a dash of aggressive energy is what i do.
Here’s some new music JELO has recently finished:
Adam k. & JELO-That Crazy Disco Beat
Chris Anderson-Overdose (JELO’s Ol’Skool Luv Rmx.)-Promo Rec.
Here’s a new mix:
The track listing for his mix is as follows:
1.JELO- Introduce yourself
2.JELO – Can I get loud? (Stupid Fresh Rmx.)
3.Bass Weazel – kill the fox
4.Digital Ninjaz – elephatn
5.Hatiras & JELO – Donkey Punch
6.Wonk – Krunchie (The Fidigitive Rmx.)
7.Das Pop – Underground (Busy P Rmx.)
8.Adam K. & JELO – Ragnarok
9.Deadmau5 vs. JELO – The Reward is Cheese (Cheesefull bootleg)
10.Adam K. & JELO – The Smash
11.Chris Anderson – Overdose (JELO Ol’ Skool luv Rmx.)
12. DJ Dan – Illectrolingus (JELO CDJ Laser Damage Rmx.)
13.Hatiras & JELO – SpeakerHumper
14.T – Rek – Fuck House (Ryan Riback Rmx.)
15. Hatiras & JELO – La Tormenta
16. Bombermen -Bronx Tale (Heartache Club mix)
17.Adam K. & JELO – Choose your Weapon (Short range)
18. Le Petit Pilous – Wake Up
Enjoy!!!
