Jonas Blue, the DJ behind the 2015 remake of Fast Car and last year’s Perfect Strangers, is returning to Dubai to perform at DXBeach on Friday. He’ll be joined on the Zero Gravity stage by Sonny Fodera, Lovely Laura, Ben Santiago and Josh Butler. We caught up with him ahead of the gig.
It’s been about a year and a half since Fast Car came out. How have your feelings about that song evolved?
I love it more and more each day and how that one song has changed my life. I am very grateful for the way people perceived it. It will always be a very special song to me for many reasons.
It’s not your first time in the city — what do you have planned this time?
I got a good feel for the people and culture of UAE last time, so I can come with even more energy and surprises this time. I’ll be playing my new single for the first time, as well as some special Jonas Blue Edits specially prepared for this set at DXBeach.
What are three of your favourite tracks on your set at the moment?
Don Diablo - Cutting Shapes, Funkerman [& Cooperated Souls] - Work Your Body and my new single.
Take us back a little. You were born in Essex in ’89. What kind of kid were you growing up? What was the school experience like for you?
Since the age of 7-8 years old, I was already playing a musical instrument. Around my house, my mum and dad would also be playing the best soul, funk, jazz, pop, [R’n’B] and Middle Eastern music. School was never really for me. I dropped out at the age of 15 to pursue a career in music.
Were you always into EDM, or was your introduction into music through another genre?
When I started producing, the first genre I was into was house and pop. If you listen carefully to my music you will hear both of those genres still very much present in what I do.
Was there ever a time where you thought you might go down a different career path?
Never. I have always been 110 per cent focused and wouldn’t stop until I got where I wanted to be.
When you started professionally recording and touring music, what surprised you the most about the industry or the nature of the work?
I don’t think anyone understands how intense this career can be, especially when you get to the point I am at now. From taking early morning flights, having to be creative on planes to get new music flowing, thinking about DJ sets, travelling to other countries, interviews, etc. I am lucky I had the years of preparation for all of this, otherwise it could have been quite a shock to the system.
Do you think people have a lot of misconceptions around EDM and DJing in general?
When you break down EDM — Electronic Dance Music — it stands for a lot more than the one genre people think it is. So, yes, I do think there is a massive misconception. But it’s not a problem — people will just keep learning, which is always great.
What’s next for you? What’s the next big thing you’d like to achieve?
I have a new single coming at the end of April, which I am super excited about. I am also touring with my band… [and have] an album coming at the start of 2018.
*Tickets, ranging between Dh100-Dh300, are available online. Entrance at the door will be Dh150-Dh350.
