Jonas a huge welcome back to DMCWORLD as your incredible year continues. Another massive chart smash tucked under your belt thanks to ‘By Your Side’, tell us about the history of the track and the Raye hook up…
So originally the concept of the song / track came when I was having an outer body experience at one of my gigs. I can’t remember exactly which song I was playing at the time but I remember it took me to that place where I was imagining I was in the crowd with someone really close to my heart and we were just sharing that moment when a song comes on at the right time and you both just lose yourself within the moment hence how the “By Your Side”. Lyrically it really paints a descriptive picture too so you’ll see what I mean. Raye then came about when I was on my way home from central London in an Uber. I had just got into the car and was on the phone to someone at the time talking music. When I got off the phone the Uber driver said to me “So you’re into music are you then”. I thought “oh no” however he then went on to tell me about how his friends daughter is a singer and how I should check her out. I did just that and loved her voice and knew she was perfect for this song! On the day Raye was scheduled to come into the studio she had a car crash! (Thankfully she wasn’t hurt at all). However the problem was is as my time is so limited I only had this one day to get her in before I was to go back on tour again. As the trooper she is Raye came straight over and the rest is history.
Some of the lyrics from the track include these words…
Up, all night
I waited for you all my life
Hold my hand and keep me close
I’ll never let you go
No not tonight
Keep me by your side
…are you SURE it’s not about someone in particular?
Haha! The song isn’t about anyone in particular it’s more just about “that moment”. The way I wrote it leaves it open for it to be about anyone though which is what I wanted to do as I wanted the song to connect with everyone.
Okay, I’ll let it go. Where do you get your inspiration from when writing a song?
I know this sounds quite cliche but literally anything and everything is an inspiration to me. Being a musician I write dance music in a very different way to most. Generally I start the classic songwriting way which is at the piano. It’s my favourite instrument and I will literally just sit at the piano working on a chord progression and melody and then use the concepts that I have previously thought about or think of when I make the music and create the song from there. It’s after that point I will start putting it into the computer however the song always starts out acoustic hence why I always do acoustic versions of my songs.
So young man. 2016. Where on earth do we begin? Your debut single ‘Fast Car’ is the biggest selling single of the year by a debut UK artist selling over 5 million records around the world whilst the follow up ‘Perfect Strangers’ was one of the songs of the summer reaching #2 in the UK Official Charts and also received Platinum and Gold status across the world. Your life has been a whirlwind with non stop touring all year, have you had a chance to take a breath and actually take in what you have achieved? Up against Adele and Drake in the charts, playing to thousands around the world, posters going up on bedroom walls!!!
If I’m honest I’ve not had a chance to sit down and really take it all in. My life moves so quick these days I sometimes have to wake up in the morning and pinch myself to know I’m not actually dreaming. It’s been an incredible & life changing year for me. From someone that has been doing this day in day out since I was 11 years old to now be 27 and it finally happen is really a blessing and I never take it for granted. Being able to make music and have a platform to share it with millions of people is what I’ve always dreamed of. So for me I’m just going to keep doing the same thing and take people on this amazing journey with me.
What has been the proudest moment?
I threw a little party during the summer with family, friends and my amazing record label. I got awarded with a disc for Fast Car which at the time said over 4 million sales and over 500 million streams and had all the certifications of every country. It was a real moment as all my loved ones were there and it really was that moment where I had to step back and realised that this was all done in less than a year. Seeing everyones faces and how proud they were really was a moment for me.
And the most rock & roll moment where you have had to pinch yourself to believe this was happening to you?
There’s been so many honestly but if I had to pick one particular moment it would be one of my first gigs when Fast Car had just blown up. I was in Mexico City playing the Azteca stadium to 100 thousand people. It really was a life changing moment for me. I remember I was on stage and everyone was singing back Fast Car. I was able to mentally make everything silent in my head and just looked around the stadium and said to myself “Wow you’ve made it”
The big 5 tunes in your box this weekend, please give us a few words on each…
Calvin Harris – My Way (Offaiha Remix) –
The drop is what makes this song!
Don Diablo – Cutting Shapes –
I was a massive fan of the original sample and with Don’s vibe it take it to a new level
Ellie Goulding – Still Falling For you (Jonas Blue Remix)
I was so glad I got the chance to remix this song. Ellie reached out personally… How could I refuse!?
The Chainsmokers Ft. Halsey – Closer (Blaze U x Marvin Vogel Bootleg)
One of the biggest songs of the year and this edit makes it slide perfectly into my sets
EDX – High On You
Gotta love an EDX groove!
We were down the front of many of your Ibiza shows this summer. What did you love about Ibiza? Where have you enjoyed checking out these past few months?
Well the fact Ibiza was the place that inspired me when I was 11 years old to start producing and DJing to now be playing on the main stage of a venue like Ushuaia literally has been a dream come true. Being the european holy place for dance music it feels very inspiring coming there to play. I’ll never forget 2016 being my first year there just incredible!
Your drunkest night of the summer?
You make it sound like there was only one!? HAHA. One of them would be starting off at Ushuaia then heading to Amnesia and not remembering how I even got back to the hotel!? Thank god for Hard Rock’s hotel and room service…I managed to get my sanity back within the day!
Apart from your own tunes, what has been your favorite track of 2016 and why?
Calvin Harris – This Is What You Came For. Not only is Calvin one of my biggest inspirations but this song just had me hooked. Sonically and lyrically it’s a masterpiece.
If you had a quid for every time a journalist asked you about working in the same bar as Sam Smith when you were younger, how much cash would you have in your pocket now?!??!
HAHA…put it this way I’d be buying everyones drinks in Ushuaia all summer!
You have signed to Virgin EMI with an album in the offing. How far down the line are you with it, what can you tell us about any collaborations…
That’s right. An album is in the works for next year. I’ve just come back from a touring and writing trip in the states and got the chance to work with some amazing hot new songwriters. As you know with most of the artists I work with on my music I like to keep it secret and not unveil until release so let’s just say it’s going to be very exciting. I have some new artists I am going to be breaking and introducing to the world as well as some incredible artists people already know and love!
What is your earliest musical memory from your childhood?
Doing a dance routine to Billy Paul – Me & Mrs Jones when I was around 5 years old at a family party. My family still have it on video somewhere. Terrible.
Christmas is around the corner, to round off a fabulous 12 months what does Jonas Blue want from Santa this year?
I’m looking to buy a house and build a HUGE studio! Maybe with the change I’ll buy a “Fast Car”!!!!
And finally, a little birdie tells me you have a small OCD problem. What is the worst habit you always find yourself doing?
HAHA! Well being a touring DJ my suitcase is always the issue. I can’t leave until all the t-shirts and shirts are folded clothes shop correctly as well as trousers folded and pressed correctly. Then the second task is the positioning in the actual case everything has to be in a mentally correct order so I know I haven’t forgotten anything and so I can also start my day with peace of mind. Someone telling me to put something in my case for them at last minute is massively disturbing for me. Terrible I know…
