Interview with Jemmy, Music Producer; Cream & Freeze Resident DJ

Ahead of his gig at The Bedrock Warehouse Party at Camp & Furnace on Saturday 9th February, Features Writer Larissa Wignall had a chat with Cream and Freeze resident DJ, Music Producer and Co-Owner of 3B Record Store, Jemmy.

He’s begun the year in frenetic fashion, following on from the signing of ‘Quarry Bank’ to Bedrock Records by airing a guest mix on John Digweed’s radio show, Transitions, proving that only success is on the agenda for this Liverpool born talent.

LARISSA (L): You have recently had your ‘Quarry Bank’ track out on Bedrock Records, which also features on John Digweed’s ‘Live in London’ four CD compilation. How did it come about to have your track released on his record label?

JEMMY (J): Well it was originally signed to another label and for one reason or another that label wasn’t releasing any singles in 2012. I phoned Scott from Bedrock Records, knowing John Digweed was a fan of the track because he had been supporting it and his artist, Stelios Vassiloudis had done a remix for the release.

He said leave it with me and a month later I was in Ibiza just about to start a Cream pre party gig at Ibiza Rocks and Scott phoned me to say John Digweed wants to sign the track to Bedrock Records. I had probably had one of my best ever gigs at Cream Amnesia that night too, so it goes down as one of the best days of my life.

L: Where did you take inspiration from for ‘Quarry Bank’?

J: I had a trumpet player round at my studio, just improvising as I was playing him a couple of melodies and stuff. I later sang that vocal over the top, chopped it up and the sounds seemed to create something really nice.

L: You had a guest mix on Digweed’s Transitions radio show too, which is broadcasted across 45 countries to an audience of over 14 million. How was it appearing on such a highly recognised show?

J: Amazing because I’ve always been a huge fan of the show but obviously because it’s aired to so many people, I was nervous what the reaction would be like and thankfully it went down well, which was great.

L: You are soon to be playing for The Bedrock Warehouse Party at Camp & Furnace on Saturday 9th February that local guys, Freeze and Waxxx are hosting. You will be playing in the main room alongside Digweed, will you be showcasing any of your new productions there and do you have anything special in store for the crowds of Liverpool?

J: Yep, I have two brand new tracks that I haven’t let anyone listen to yet. I’m excited about the gig and I’ve lots of DJ homework for this one. It’s going to be great.

L: How is it that you would typically go about producing a track? Where is it that you start from and do you have to be in a particular frame of mind to do so?

J: I have to be relaxed to be in the right frame of mind to go in the studio but the process is different every time. Sometimes it can be a melody, sometimes a vocal hook or sometimes just a nice groove that gets things going.

L: What track(s) of yours are you most passionate about and why do you it holds something close to you?

J: ’Quarry Bank’ for obvious reasons but also a track that I have just finished, that kind of happened by accident. Something special came from it. It will be out there soon hopefully; it hasn’t even got a name yet.

L: Co-Owning and working at 3B record store you must come across many, energising music releases day in day out. What would be your top three tracks that have passed through the 3B doors?

J: There are so many! Every time a new text release from Four Tet comes in, I’m really excited. Love all the Tusk Wax releases too.

L: Today there are numerous Music Producers all competing with each other within the world of dance music; do you think any particular artists have it spot on in most elements of their career?

J: I love the way people like Guy Gerber and Petar Dundov only normally have a few releases each year but you know every release is going to be really special. That makes it a bit more exciting rather than just boshing out a load of average tracks each month to keep your name out there.

L: If you could choose between studio time and DJing, what would you choose and brings you the most joy in doing?

J: I couldn’t just do one without the other. I love them both and they go hand in hand for me at the moment… Sorry for avoiding that question 🙂

L: If you could give any advice to aspiring Music Producers, what would you say to them to help them along the way?

J: Be patient and believe in what you’re doing. There will be a lot of frustrating moments and knock backs but if you’re hard working and passionate enough you will get that
dream release at some point.

Follow Jemmy here:

Official Website / Facebook / Twitter / Transitions Guest Mix / The Warehouse Party

–Larissa Wignall, Features Writer for Resurrection