Nothing phases this future superstar of electronic music. Huge new tune set for festival season
Jack a massive welcome to DMCWORLD for the first time. Where in the world are you right now?
Thank you for the warm welcome! I’m in beautiful Los Angeles, California.
The first piece of music you heard this morning after jumping out of bed?
The first? I think that was Jai Wolf’s remix of Mocki’s Weekend. Love it.
A huge new tune causing chaos everywhere in ‘Driving Blind’, which we shall come to later. Let’s begin with your childhood. You and your mom used to dance around your kitchen to R&B and disco whilst your father used to rock out to his classic rock and Nirvana at his place…where you taught yourself the piano. Who are the artists that stand out for you back then?
Hahaha!! Dan, how did you know that? I loved David Bowie, Led Zeppelin’s Tangerine was a favorite. My family would listen to hours of the Beatles every Sunday and my sister and I would dance in the living room. I’m still laughing that you knew that…
We know everything at DMC, everything! When did you first start to pick up on the strains of electronic music, who were the producers that got you swaying?
I was about 13 and I fell in love with a lot of the live acts I was seeing in Chicago. Daft Punk, Derrick Carter, Paul Oakenfold. All epic.
Well your rise to fame seems so simple. You explored the underground rave scene around your home city Chicago where you were looking at other possible careers, moved to New York and then Los Angeles, built a home studio, worked your ass off, got picked up by legendary Joel Zimmerman, Vibe Magazine voted you as a DJ to watch in 2014 and you are now sharing stages with the likes of Skrillex, Calvin Harris and David Guetta. Looks easy on paper. Was it?
Hahaha no. It was a lot of hard work and still always is, but I love that, I’m up the challenge. Honestly, I just invested in myself and worked non stop, day and night. I opened for anyone I could, for free, I took every session and every meeting even if it didn’t seem to make sense at the time, I just never stopped working. It was and is all worth it.
You woke up one morning in New York and decided to move to Los Angeles. Two weeks later there you were in LA with all your belongings – yet you only knew 2 people there through social media. Was there no hesitation, have you always been this impulsive?
Haha, what a question. I wouldn’t say that’s impulsive, I think that’s just knowing what you want and getting it.
‘Driving Blind’. New tune. Massive. Please talk us through the sound and history of the track…
We were working on another track for Bright Lights upcoming album and I showed her the chord progression for Driving Blind. She asked me to send it to me and the next day she sent me the vocals for the song. As soon as I heard it I was so excited to finish the track realizing it was amazing! Sharing music, whether it’s sending a song to friend, or releasing a track, always feels good.
What does Rudy think of your tunes? She looked pretty miffed in your studio video? Word on the street is that she prefers Skrillex…
She loves Skrillex but she clearly loves me more. Clearly.
I spied a guitar in the studio, we know you can play the piano…what else can you play?
Piano, guitar and the flute! But I’m always down to learn more.
Do you miss anything about Chicago?
I miss my two brothers and my parents, the rest of my beautiful family! The people in Chicago are great. Fun, down to earth, and Chicago loves it’s music. I’m happy I grew up there and know what real pizza tastes like. Chi-town is so dope.
What did / do your family think of your success now as a musician? I guess they always knew you were gonna make it?
Honestly, my whole family has always supported my vision and dreams. My sister Julia has enthusiastically come to drum and bass shows even though she never listens to drum and bass, my brother Sam is very into dance culture and has an amazing ear, my brother John has barely slept for days while coming to my shows and travelling with me, and my parents have always pushed me to believe in myself and do what I want to do. My family is comprised of some very special human beings. I love them and am lucky to have them.
Do you ever bump into the people who once said to you “not to worry about producing music, we have someone do it for you and then we will just stamp your name and face on it and make a bunch of money…” Must feel great to stick the middle finger up at them?
Lol I would never. Good vibes and the high road, right? Plus I really do appreciate anyone that’s come my way and offered to help me, whether I took their advice or not.
What is coming out next from you studio wise?
I have a lot of music on its way! I’m excited for this single I have coming out with Blackbear. Check him at https://soundcloud.com/iamblackbear. He’s dope.
Away from dance music, who are the current artists/bands you like right now?
Post Malone, Proteje, Lights, Hudson Mohawke, Rae Sremmurd, so many…
Not many people know this, but Jack Novak is really good at…
Bowling, Ping Pong, RPGs, driving large vehicles, backgammon, skydiving, animal training, laughing and smiling.
What is the most important thing Joel has taught you?
Hard work pays off.
And finally. Have you ever had any embarrassing mix ups with people getting you confused with the Tight End American Footballer John Novak who used to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?!!!?!?!!!
Ahhhh this happens all time! How did you know?
