A Big Vision from the Belfast wheels of steel
Jupiter Ace has proved himself time after time with his big room, hook-laden productions. His career was launched by the massive club hit ‘1000 Years’ in 2005, catapulting him to No 1 in the Buzz Chart and onto dancefloors around the world. Recent times have seen Jupiter Ace, a.k.a Gregory Ferguson, complete high profile remixes for the likes of Sony, Ministry of Sound and Universal Music, as well as producing the international No 1, platinum-selling hit ‘Dirty Talk’ for Wynter Gordon in the USA. And now, fresh for 2012, the Belfast boy wonder unveils a very special new label to the dance music world.
Words: Dan Prince
A brand new venture ‘Big Vision’ launches this month with seminal house label Strictly Rhythm. Tell us about the project…
“First off thanks for having me, I love DMC World! Big Vision came about initially because of my production of Dirty Talk’ – the track was starting to kick off and it made Strictly Rhythm’s ears prick up. They approached me about doing this label together, I said yes and Big Vision Records was born! Having spent the last few years focussing on production for other artists and remix work, I’m really excited about this opportunity to get some new Jupiter Ace tracks out there – as well as the chance to put out other people’s work who I like.”
So take us back, a young kid growing up in Belfast – how did you catch the dance music bug? What artists / DJs and tunes turned you down this route?
“I was a bit of an indie kid growing up, that was what all my mates were into, but I always had this love of electronic and dance music too. When I was a teenager I was into Daft Punk, Fatboy Slim and Chemical Brothers, things like that. I guess it was because of Daft Punk though that I got into house – I started buying a lot of the “Crydamoure” releases – Guy Man’s label. This sort of acted as my route into “proper” house music, Junior Jack, all the Subliminal stuff, the early Size records releases…it just went on from there, I had been bitten and now had the bug!!“
What did your family think about choice of a musical career?
“Well they were very supportive when I said at the age of 18 that that was what I wanted to do and I’ll always be grateful for that. They wanted me to do a degree but luckily these days you can do one in Music Technology so that’s what I did! I’m a parent now and I think if my son wanted a career in the music industry I would worry a bit because it’s tough out there and you really have to fight to survive. But if you have the hunger for it it can be very rewarding.”
What is your Strictly Rhythm Alltime Top 10?
“I’m gonna include Strictly Rhythm affiliates here…”
1. Junior Jack – Thrill Me (Subliminal)
2. Kid Creme – Austin’s Groove (Subliminal)
3. Josh Wink – Higher State of Consciousness (Strictly Rhythm)
4. Ultra Nate – Free (Strictly Rhythm)
5. Jupiter Ace – Wheel of Life (Big Vision) – Cheeky, but I had to!!
6. Haze & Full Intention – Signification (Sebjak Remix) (Strictly Rhythm)
7. Reel 2 Reel – I Like To Move It (Strictly Rhythm)
8. Norman Doray – Kalifornia (Strictly Rhythm)
9. Nadia Ali, Starkillers & Alex Kenji – Pressure (Alesso Remix) (Simply Delicious)
10. Hey Hey – Dennis Ferrer (Strictly Rhythm)
What do you think it is about the Strictly sound that has allowed it to stand the test of time?
“The most important thing about Strictly Rhythm is that there is a core musical integrity at work. Strictly grew organically as an independent label from humble beginnings and they don’t put pressure on their artists to make every record a commercial hit – they’re about the long game and you can hear it when you listen through the back catalogue.”
The first release from the label is ‘Wheel Of Life’ which you produce yourself. Talk us through the tune…
“‘Wheel of Life’ is a track that I’m really excited about. I’ve spent a lot of time in the studio in recent months working on production and I guess this is me showing where the Jupiter Ace sound is at right now. I really like what’s been going on in dance music in the last few years – it’s less about sub-genres than it used to be and there’s a lot of melody in current productions which suits me fine! I wanted something I was properly buzzing about to kick off this label – hopefully when it hits people’s ears they’ll feel the same way.”
A quote you have heard a million times before, “Ireland’s answer to Eric Prydz’ – what went through your head when Mixmag came out with that? How would YOU describe your style?
“Well that’s of course a massive compliment; Eric Prydz is someone always at the top of his game so when I heard that I was very chuffed! I would describe my style as melodically-driven electronic house music. I love those epic moments you get from doing a big long build into a big drop and I think I’m always trying to create “peak-time” records. I also think that the melodic hook in a record is essential – it’s got to move me emotionally first before I start working up all the other elements of the production. If it’s giving me goose bumps to start with, then I know it’s gonna work.”
Did you know you had created a monster in 2005 when you unveiled ‘1000 Years’?
“To be honest I don’t even think ‘1000 Years’ was played out before it was signed – before that record came out I was DJing but it was in bars to middle aged people to pay the rent and I never dropped it! I knew it had strong potential but only really realised what I had when all of a sudden there was a bidding war going on between the bigger dance labels. It was an amazing feeling to see it kicking off.”
What were the clubs in Belfast that you frequenting in the early days?
“I remember some amazing nights in Milk, in particular Erick Morillo – it’s amazing to know that Big Vision is part of the same family as Subliminal. I used to go to Shine and Thompson’s Garage a lot too. My favourite night though had to be Funkasaurus in the Basement Bar, bang in the centre of Belfast – they gave me some of my first gigs and it was a very intimate setting – those small gigs where you are face to face with people are always the best.”
Not many people know this, but Jupiter Ace is really good at?
“Making scrambled eggs. Come to mine for breakfast, I’ll show you a good time.”
So we come back to yours after the show, what is the Jupiter Ace Back To Mine 10 you play us to carry on the groove?
1. Nicky Romero – Generation 303
2. Daft Punk – Alive
3. Jerry Rekonius – 10th
4. Pryda – Melo (Disfunktion Extended Bootleg)
5. Dada Life – Kick Out The Epic Motherf**ker
6. Aphex Twin – Windowlicker
7. Skrillex – F**king Die 1
8. Tristan Garner – Raven
9. Tommy Trash – Cascade
10. DJ Jean – The Launch (sorry, but it’s a house party after all)
What DJs and producers from around the dance globe have you given props to over the years?
“It started off for me with the French guys – people like Le Knight club and Buffalo Bunch. Then there was the aforementioned Eric Prydz – he’s so consistent and he has a real talent that brings that little bit extra to his productions. On that note, I’ve always loved what the Swedes do and Axwell in particular has always influenced me a great deal. Right now my favourite producers have to be Swanky Tunes, Nicky Romero and Tommy Trash. Tommy Trash especially can do no wrong at the moment; he’s really become a major player recently and rightly so.”
What has the rest of 2012 got in store for us from ‘Big Vision’?
“Lots!” is the short answer. The long answer would be that I’m currently finishing up some new Jupiter Ace productions and those will comprise the next few releases. I am hoping to release some material by other artists later in the year, either in its original state or remixed by me. I’ve been working on some tracks featuring vocals and I’m really pleased with how that’s going. All in all I am massively looking forward to this year and seeing how the world reacts to Big Vision Records.”
‘Wheel Of Life’ video promo http://youtu.be/29GdjkZOK9c
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