Jazzuelle Interview: on his debut album out soon on Get Physical

In this Jazzuelle interview the producer we called SA’s best kept secret less than a year ago chats to Mary Honeychild about the interesting and rewarding 2015 he had with gigs that took him to places in Barcelona and he played the mind blowing Glastonbury Festival.

He explains how his experiences last year have helped him grow and is excited about his debut album out soon on one of the most highly regarded international house labels, Get Physical.

As a producer, Jazzuelle has a musicality and respect for creativity that shines through all that he does. His debut album is therefore eagerly awaited by all those who follow and admire his work. He also tells us what it was like playing at the Beatport Annual Party, why he has decided to manage himself for now and his perspective on playing home gigs after his international performances.

I exist to push boundaries, challenge status quos and encourage people to go outside the invisible barriers we create. There are no barriers, there never were.”

Since our chat in April last year you went on to have an immense 2015. One of which was your Glastonbury gig. What was the most standout moment from your set and how do you think it differed to a local SA festival vibe?

Jazzuelle Interview: I had a lot of standout moments I think. There was so much going in my head when I was on set, before my call time, I was very nervous. It was the last night of Glastonbury so everyone was going hard. I arrived on the Tuesday from my dates in Barcelona so I was already a bit fatigued from performing time on the Sunday. But when I went on it was special, some of the people I met at Glastonbury in the week were in front cheering and shouting. It all ended with applause and I felt better you know; approval is quite motivating.

I’m very eager to share some of the more techno tracks on the album.”

You also played at the Beatport Annual Party in Barcelona last year. From the images it looked like something pretty special, what was that like?

Jazzuelle Interview: I fell in love with Barcelona the second the flight landed… the architecture moved me and the general ambience of the city inspired me on many levels. The Beatport gig was a level up from what I’ve always seen in the scene here in South Africa. It looked like something out of a dream, the energy and zeal everyone had was amazing. It was Sonar festival month so you had everyone coming from everywhere you know. It was a very perception-bending experience and it changed my overall view on how the industry really is and what I needed to do to kind of penetrate the international scene.

News of you releasing your debut album on Get Physical is really fantastic. What can we expect?

Jazzuelle Interview: My first album is a big deal for me; initially I wanted a solo album but decided on a journey with some of my friends and also some of the guys I have respected in the scene, and whose work I resonate with. It’s also a chance to experiment with some darker elements as well and kind of get away from my usual sound. I take it as a natural progression and I think if anyone really knows my music, you will still hear me in there whether I’m doing techno, house or lounge. [I’m] very eager to share some of the more techno tracks on the album.

Would you say the Jazzuelle sound has evolved over the last year and where do you see your creative vision moving to in 2016?

Jazzuelle Interview: Oh yes definitely. I think as artists it’s very important to evolve. It keeps us going or at least in my work, evolution is the basis of everything I do. I cannot do the same version of what I did a hundred times, I get bored and that just defeats the purpose of why I exist. I exist to push boundaries, challenge status quos and encourage people to go outside the invisible barriers we create. There are no barriers, there never were.

You mentioned that you are doing things independently right now. Are there any specific motivators as to why you’ve chosen to manage yourself?

Jazzuelle Interview: I just prefer doing things my way; I think I also have a clear picture about how I want things done as well. I realised I don’t really need management for now, perhaps at a later stage. Needless to say, I have learned a lot from working with management and booking agents in the last year. It’s obviously made me a bit wiser when choosing the right people to represent me. Everyone I’ve worked with has done an amazing job but for now I am quite okay with handling my own business.

You have an upcoming gig at the much loved House 22 in Pretoria next month. Given your international gigging experience what is it like for you to ‘play at home’ and how rewarding is after having played globally?

Jazzuelle Interview: Ah yes, I’m very excited to play House 22, it’s actually my birthday party with some close friends Da Capo and Kat La Kat. We haven’t finalised the whole line up yet but so far it is me, Da Capo and Kat La Kat on Friday the 26^th [FEB] so it’s going to be a big one there.

And yes most definitely, I always try and bring something fresh from the world so it’s going to be an interesting party.

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Jazzuelle Interview: on his debut album out soon on Get Physical