Hailing from Enkhuizen, The Netherlands, 18-year-old and multi talented
Dutch DJ/producer Jelle Boon made his first steps in the world of
electronic dance music at age 13. Initially Jelle focused on programming
hiphop beats, but soon he discovered house and eventually found his
style of choice when he made his acquaintance with electro; a style that
in his mind had everything that house did not.
Soon Jelle spent all his quality time in the studio on the sound that he would quickly make his own. When working on new material, Jelle’s main objective always is to create complex arrangements that will still sound great and it is exactly that way of working that drew the attention of the record labels. His first productions like the well received “Der Holle Rache” were the perfect showcase of this approach to electro, in which he moves from classical music to plain noise to machinery and back; everything programmed with truly unique sounds. Critics in the industry aptly described his output as young, energetic and edgy, with an undeniable Dutch icing on top of it.
When Rub A Duck signed Jelle Boon for his debut single “My Depredation”, the time was finally there to unleash his music to the dance floors of the world. Hitting hard with seriously low sub bass on top of incredible edits, synth- and voice stabs, the track became a frantic sounding killer track that was played by many DJs during the peak times of their live sets. The follow up, packed in the Junior Master Chief EP, featured the titles “For The Big Thirst”, “In Search For Beans”, “Microwave Goes Ping” and “Salt & Pepper” and once again brought forth Jelle Boon’s trademark sound full of tight edits, percussive drum programming and subtle fidget influences; true electro in every sense of the word, with fresh and energetic tech elements. Colleagues in the business like the Beejays and Jagged HedZ were among the first to have their singles remixed by Jelle.
Soon Jelle spent all his quality time in the studio on the sound that he would quickly make his own. When working on new material, Jelle’s main objective always is to create complex arrangements that will still sound great and it is exactly that way of working that drew the attention of the record labels. His first productions like the well received “Der Holle Rache” were the perfect showcase of this approach to electro, in which he moves from classical music to plain noise to machinery and back; everything programmed with truly unique sounds. Critics in the industry aptly described his output as young, energetic and edgy, with an undeniable Dutch icing on top of it.
When Rub A Duck signed Jelle Boon for his debut single “My Depredation”, the time was finally there to unleash his music to the dance floors of the world. Hitting hard with seriously low sub bass on top of incredible edits, synth- and voice stabs, the track became a frantic sounding killer track that was played by many DJs during the peak times of their live sets. The follow up, packed in the Junior Master Chief EP, featured the titles “For The Big Thirst”, “In Search For Beans”, “Microwave Goes Ping” and “Salt & Pepper” and once again brought forth Jelle Boon’s trademark sound full of tight edits, percussive drum programming and subtle fidget influences; true electro in every sense of the word, with fresh and energetic tech elements. Colleagues in the business like the Beejays and Jagged HedZ were among the first to have their singles remixed by Jelle.
Enter
the year 2013 and Jelle Boon proudly presents the logical result of
last year’s hard work: his debut artist album entitled “First Law Of
Boon”. Confidently stepping into the arena of established names that
have all supported his earlier single and EP releases, Jelle presents 15
rock solid productions delivering a cream of the crop combination of
Dutch house, electro and a hint of Deadmau5 influence. And with a
massively striking wall-to-wall sound, the young multi talent
effortlessly showcases a variety of dubstep cuts at the same time. Not
shying away from vocal endeavours, Jelle also teamed up with the
acclaimed female singer/songwriters Alisa Fedele and KT Forrester.
Not hampered by the in fashion demands of commercialized thirteen-in-a-dozen mass productions, Jelle Boon boosts his career to the highest echelons of the electronic dance industry with this stupendous debut album. “First Law Of Boon” is available as a digital only release and includes bonus tracks and a free DJ mix.
We love to support young artists and being there for them so we requested an interview with Jelle Boon about his debut album and we are glad he found the time to reply to it!
Enjoy his very entertaining answers.
Interview was written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Radio/Club/Dj/ Music Journalist
Dimitri: First of all it would be great to go back in time and tell us for what reason you were hooked on Electronic Dance Music from the early age of 13?
Jelle Boon: Well, at that age I had tons of inspiration (not very meaningful) but I just couldn’t put it somewhere. Then my father gave me a copy of FL Studio 4 which he got from an old colleague. I started to figure the software out and I didn’t stop. Even though it sounded horrible I had so much fun in doing it and that kept me going.
Dimitri: Is it possible to tell us if your family has any connection with EDM or other forms of arts and if you feel that they are supportive in your decision to pursue a career in EDM industry?
Jelle Boon: Not in the EDM scene but my mother and sister are very musical. My sister who plays piano also made my website: www.jelleboon.com.
Not hampered by the in fashion demands of commercialized thirteen-in-a-dozen mass productions, Jelle Boon boosts his career to the highest echelons of the electronic dance industry with this stupendous debut album. “First Law Of Boon” is available as a digital only release and includes bonus tracks and a free DJ mix.
We love to support young artists and being there for them so we requested an interview with Jelle Boon about his debut album and we are glad he found the time to reply to it!
Enjoy his very entertaining answers.
Interview was written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Radio/Club/Dj/ Music Journalist
Dimitri: First of all it would be great to go back in time and tell us for what reason you were hooked on Electronic Dance Music from the early age of 13?
Jelle Boon: Well, at that age I had tons of inspiration (not very meaningful) but I just couldn’t put it somewhere. Then my father gave me a copy of FL Studio 4 which he got from an old colleague. I started to figure the software out and I didn’t stop. Even though it sounded horrible I had so much fun in doing it and that kept me going.
Dimitri: Is it possible to tell us if your family has any connection with EDM or other forms of arts and if you feel that they are supportive in your decision to pursue a career in EDM industry?
Jelle Boon: Not in the EDM scene but my mother and sister are very musical. My sister who plays piano also made my website: www.jelleboon.com.
Dimitri: Who are the djs or producers that have influenced your sound and you have big respect for their contribution in EDM music?
Jelle Boon: The producers who have the biggest influence in my sound are Wolfgang Gartner, Porter Robinson and Feed Me, I don’t know why but they always get my interest. I really respect Noisia because I love their sounds and it is almost impossible to recreate their productions. They have mad skills.
Dimitri: Are you totally self taught or you have attended any formal music composition classes or seminars?
Jelle Boon: I can say that I am totally self-taught,that is why it took me so long to come at this stage. I’ve spent hours and hours and hours in making music.
Dimitri: Your first track on Rub A Duck was My Depredation. How did you felt when they contact you and told you that they are interested to release your track? You were self confident that Rub A Duck will like the track?
Jelle Boon: I never expected to get approached by such a huge label. I really didn’t saw that one coming. I thought this was my chance to let the world hear my stuff so I took it. It got me motivated so I started a new project and the track became at the same time my best track ever made in my opinion at that time. So I was confident you would like it.
Dimitri: Now it’s the
time for your first ever digital only album First Law of Boon. Is it
possible to describe the musical content of the album and if it is easy
to place it within a certain genre category or style?
Jelle Boon: Well, I would say most of the tracks are Electro-house. There are two dubstep tracks, one kind of progressive house and a final chill out track. So my answer is that it isn’t all in one specific category but they are all in my own style for sure. In this album I show you that I’m not just copying my previous track and adjust it a bit like some other producers do, (not calling names but it happens) and that I always like to create something whole different but still in my style.
Dimitri: How long it took you to complete the album and for how many hours a day you worked for it? Was this a full time occupation or you had other things to do as well?
Jelle Boon: It is possible to say that this album is work of years. Because the track “Boh” I made comes from years ago. The melody you hear is created by a 15 year old me. But I still dig it and I finished the track. So remember other producers, don’t delete anything haha! On the other hand I am kind of a fast producer because I had periods where I made a track a week. I’m also studying Engineering in Amsterdam so I don’t have the time for a full time occupation.
Dimitri: The tracks from the album are raw, energetic and rough but at the same time include cinematic melodies and really sweet musical themes? How can you combine the dirty weird sounds with the more sincere ones?
Jelle Boon: That is a big challenge I like, combining two huge different things with each other. I did it in an extreme way in my track “Shapeshift”. I cannot just tell how to do it because there isn’t just one way for it. Every melody has its own life I think which can fit with a whole other life. That is enough philosophy for today.
Jelle Boon: Well, I would say most of the tracks are Electro-house. There are two dubstep tracks, one kind of progressive house and a final chill out track. So my answer is that it isn’t all in one specific category but they are all in my own style for sure. In this album I show you that I’m not just copying my previous track and adjust it a bit like some other producers do, (not calling names but it happens) and that I always like to create something whole different but still in my style.
Dimitri: How long it took you to complete the album and for how many hours a day you worked for it? Was this a full time occupation or you had other things to do as well?
Jelle Boon: It is possible to say that this album is work of years. Because the track “Boh” I made comes from years ago. The melody you hear is created by a 15 year old me. But I still dig it and I finished the track. So remember other producers, don’t delete anything haha! On the other hand I am kind of a fast producer because I had periods where I made a track a week. I’m also studying Engineering in Amsterdam so I don’t have the time for a full time occupation.
Dimitri: The tracks from the album are raw, energetic and rough but at the same time include cinematic melodies and really sweet musical themes? How can you combine the dirty weird sounds with the more sincere ones?
Jelle Boon: That is a big challenge I like, combining two huge different things with each other. I did it in an extreme way in my track “Shapeshift”. I cannot just tell how to do it because there isn’t just one way for it. Every melody has its own life I think which can fit with a whole other life. That is enough philosophy for today.
Dimitri: Is it possible to describe us the process of producing a track? From which sound element you start to build the track?
Jelle Boon: Mostly I start off with the bassline at the drop with a simple drum loop. When I think it is perfect in my opinion I start to work on the drum to make it more decent. After that, the drop needs to get that build-up which will give the drop the optimal power. Then I start to think how I can make a melody or cool rhythm that fits with the drop but so that it will still surprise as the drop comes.
Dimitri: Do you have a friend or relative that you trust a lot and you give them the chance to listen the tracks for the first time and give you feedback on them?
Jelle Boon: Definitely, I have a friend who has heard all, and with all I mean, ALL my projects. Even the embarrassing ones. Please don’t ask me to bring them up again haha!My parent say they like my music but we all know…
Dimitri: Let’s take a virtual tour in your album. It would be cool to provide a short comment about each track, what it means to you?, any interesting story behind it? Collaborations with vocalists?etc.
Jelle Boon:
Jelle Boon: Mostly I start off with the bassline at the drop with a simple drum loop. When I think it is perfect in my opinion I start to work on the drum to make it more decent. After that, the drop needs to get that build-up which will give the drop the optimal power. Then I start to think how I can make a melody or cool rhythm that fits with the drop but so that it will still surprise as the drop comes.
Dimitri: Do you have a friend or relative that you trust a lot and you give them the chance to listen the tracks for the first time and give you feedback on them?
Jelle Boon: Definitely, I have a friend who has heard all, and with all I mean, ALL my projects. Even the embarrassing ones. Please don’t ask me to bring them up again haha!My parent say they like my music but we all know…
Dimitri: Let’s take a virtual tour in your album. It would be cool to provide a short comment about each track, what it means to you?, any interesting story behind it? Collaborations with vocalists?etc.
Jelle Boon:
01. Drop Is Candy
Yeaaaaa, I have a very simple explanation for this track. The word “drop” is a kind of “candy”. I know, very funny, I can’t stop laughing either. This track is very strong and powerful so the drop must be candy for the ear I suppose.
02. Epicenter
This track has the very Jelle-Boon-ish style at the second drop. A must have for the DJ’s.
03. The Statue
Seriously, don’t even think about listening this, if you are older than 70 years. No offence.
04. Hitch A Ride (featuring Alisa Fedele)
04. Hitch A Ride (featuring Alisa Fedele)
I’d like to thanks Alisa for her amazing work, listen her stuff at www.alisafedele.com
05. Netherquake
Playing this will quake the earth! It is another side of me but you can hear my style just after de drop with the energetic toms.
06. Rebuild The Shipwreck
Electro on its best!
07. First Law Of Boon
If you like the fidget cuts and the trippy basses, listen this one! The First Law of Boon refers to my trippy fidget cut glitches.
08. Unleash The Whiner
Why “Unleash the Whiner”, I hear you thinking? Well, I don’t know. They frankly just need a title.
09. The End Is Near
This track carries quite some emotion and is nice to sleep with, a nice end for the day.
10. Senseless (featuring KT Forrester)
KT!! Great work! Big props to KT because I think this track has the hardest melody to make a vocal on, but she did it.
11. Piece Of Peace
This piece of peace has a very accessible melody followed by a hard fitting electro drop. One of my favourites.
12. Shapeshift
Listen for yourself. Have you ever heard such a peaceful melody combined with that dirty electro bass? Crowd surprising.
13. Unek Spected
Just rough.
14. Boh
Count the “Boh’s”!!!
15. Before The Storm
Prepare, storm is coming.
Dimitri: Are there any artists that you would love to remix any track from your album?
Jelle Boon: YES! Noisia would be my first thought. Knifeparty, Porter Robinson, Joe Garston, Feed me, Lazy Rich, Wolfgang Gartner. Too good to be true.
Dimitri: Is there any artist that you would like to do a remix for even for free?
Jelle Boon: Easy question, Noisia.
Dimitri: Do you believe that this album will help you to get more recognition and dj bookings globally?
Jelle Boon: I hope so, there is some hard work in there so appreciation is always welcome on my ship.
Dimitri: Do you spend a lot of time in social media like facebook or twitter? What is your opinion about the social media contribution in the expansion of Dutch EDM scene?
Jelle Boon: I spend a lot of time on social media, who doesn’t. My opinion about social media is that it makes us a lot easier to connect and share every sound with a lot of people. But on the other hand, the social media kind of extended the amount of producers too so we have to filter.
Dimitri: Are there any other hobbies that you like doing except producing music?
Jelle Boon: Not at the moment, producing music is my favorite way to spend my time.
Dimitri: Your best ever dj gig so far and the places you aspire to perform in the coming months.
Jelle Boon: My best gig was at an electro underground party, everybody went crazy! I was playing my own tracks so that gives the best feeling when you see them go crazy.
Dimitri: If a promoter books Jelle Boon for his club night what he should expect to experience?
Jelle Boon: Heavy basses, electro, energy, mosspits(?) and this album!
Dimitri: What is your message to all the producers out there who wish to get a release on huge record label like Black Hole recordings?
Jelle Boon: Come on board!
Many thanks to Jelle Boon for his great answers and wishes for big success and worldwide recognition for his album.
Many thanks to Hugo De Graaf at Black Hole recordings office for his support to organize this interview
Many thanks to Paul for publishing this interview at 1mix radio web site
Track list:
01. Drop Is Candy
02. Epicenter
03. The Statue
04. Hitch A Ride (featuring Alisa Fedele)
05. Netherquake
06. Rebuild The Shipwreck
07. First Law Of Boon
08. Unleash The Whiner
09. The End Is Near
10. Senseless (featuring KT Forrester)
11. Piece Of Peace
12. Shapeshift
13. Unek Spected
14. Boh
15. Before The Storm
Additional info:
www.blackholerecordings.com
www.facebook.com/blackholerecordings
www.jelleboon.com
01. Drop Is Candy
02. Epicenter
03. The Statue
04. Hitch A Ride (featuring Alisa Fedele)
05. Netherquake
06. Rebuild The Shipwreck
07. First Law Of Boon
08. Unleash The Whiner
09. The End Is Near
10. Senseless (featuring KT Forrester)
11. Piece Of Peace
12. Shapeshift
13. Unek Spected
14. Boh
15. Before The Storm
Additional info:
www.blackholerecordings.com
www.facebook.com/blackholerecordings
www.jelleboon.com
