Crack Jones | (Deep) House Dj & Producer
This time an interview with Crack Jones. He is a house and techno DJ/music producer from Canada, and specialized in house and techno. Why did he start producing music? And how does he produce his music? This interview is filled with advice for other producers who want to start making music.
Introduction
I’m Crack Jones (IG: @CrackJonesMusic) and I’m from Toronto, Canada. I’m a DJ and music producer specializing in House and Techno music.
What are you doing in your day-to-day life?
Making music and performing it for people are my two biggest passions in life. When I’m not in the studio working on my own music, I work as a DJ here in downtown Toronto where I’m the host and DJ in Residence of Sativa Saturday’s at Toronto’s famous vapor lounge (IG: @vaporcentral). As you may know, Canada recently legalized cannabis. Each Saturday at the lounge, we host a weekly cannabis friendly nightclub experience with a focus on showcasing the latest and greatest in electronic music each and every weekend.
Tell us your story of how you became a musican. How did you discover electronic music and what led you down the path of wanting to become producer and DJ?
I was raised in a very musical household and became interested in electronic music producer at a very young age; by 12 years old I was making my own productions. But it’s been a long road for me before it became my full-time occupation. I’m a law school graduate and also hold a degree in philosophy. My advice to anyone on the fence about pursuing your passion: do it!
Latest release ‘Trust me’?
We would love to know more about the song?’Trust me’. How did this track come about?
At the end of the day this is a song about how trust is a game of give and take. But sometimes we want to have it both ways. We want to betray others, but we don’t want to be betrayed. That’s what Trust Me is about.
How long did it take for you to finish the track?
This track came together in the space of about a week. It all started with the bassline. Once I had that worked out, I experimented with different chord progressions and really liked the sound of Minor 7 chords which feature heavily in Deep House. The end result had a kind of sultry and mischievous sound.
What does a studio day look like for you?
Like a lot of dance music producers, I seem to do my best work at night in dimly lit rooms! I never know exactly what I am going to make or what direction I will go, I prefer to think like a gardener than an architect, figuring things out as I go.
Apart from music, what makes you most happy in life?
I’m a guy with big appetites. I love food, art, music and travel. Fitness is a huge part of my life.
Advices
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given when it comes to produce music?
When you’ve set aside time to work, work must get done. I don’t believe in waiting around for inspiration! It’s important to be diligent. Sometimes the inspiration is there waiting for you, you just have to dig in a little and be willing to work for it.
And what advice would you give any new producers out there?
Do it! Just start. Don’t wait around. If you have a laptop, you can make professional music. All the information is out there, it’s all on Google and YouTube. From song writing to mixing and mastering, it’s all within your reach. We’re very lucky to have the technology.
What’s next?
Putting a 5-song EP together called ‘Balls Deep’ coming this Spring. I just finished the title track and it’s a lot of fun. The sound for the EP is sort of a groovy blend of acid house, tech house and deep house.
Meanwhile I’m excited for what the year has in store for Sativa Saturday’s. We’ll be bringing in more guest DJs and as for me, look for me around Toronto and beyond as I work my way closer to my dream of being a touring night club DJ! And hey, if by the time you read this I’ve succeeded, just remember: if I can do it, so can you!
How and where can we follow you or your work?
Gonna be launching my YouTube channel as well as CrackJones.com any day soon, just stay tuned to my Insta for links as those go up!
Shout-out to Fabian and everyone over at Black Mirror Recordings, it’s been a pleasure having the opoprtunity to work with you guys on the release of ‘Trust Me’!