Dancefloor distortion with the techno grandmaster
Interview by Dan Prince
Jon a big welcome back to DMCWORLD Towers! Where are you today?
“Hello Dan ! Thanks for having me back. I’m in London at the moment getting ready for the final push for the end of the year.”
A big week in the Rundell household as Christmas is pushed to one side for a while as the celebrations begin for the release of your brand new ‘Distorted EP’. Please talk us through the sounds of this ace two tracker…
“I’ve been making some tougher beats really this year, a nod to the older warehouse style techno that influenced me when I first got into the scene – and ‘My Obsession’ came out of that really, all be it a pretty stripped down piece of heads down groove and power. With ‘Distorted View’ I just found myself wandering down a more tech house techno influenced vibe, and ended up with the nice chuggy kind of groove and built the distorted synth line around it.”
Listen here…https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/playlists/61127625&
What are the big 5 tunes in your box this weekend?
Ramiro Lopez – Backtrip
Cari Lekebush & Zoe Xenia – Fly (Ramon Tapia Dubba Dub Mix)
Carlo Lio – Sounds Like
Jon Rundell – Distorted View
Max Chapman & Kieran Andrews – Factory 7
Where will you be in New Years Eve and what is the 1 track that is standing out as the midnight record?
“This year I’m lucky enough to be playing at The Gashouder in Amsterdam for Awakenings, something I’m really looking forward as the venue is unreal. Stand out record at midnight is tough, it’s such a big moment that night. There have been loads of great records out this year but I’d probably plump for a real classic that meant something to the occasion.”
Your favourite club moment of 2014?
“Playing Fabric’s infamous Room2 for the first time was really something. It was pure intensity.”
You have had a great year with some brilliant EPs and gigs around the world, looking back, what has been your biggest accomplishment of the year in your eyes?
“Keeping fit and healthy as much as possible. I did burn out not so long ago, and there is not much you can do it about it really, just rest up and listen to your body, even if your mind is saying go for it!”
A hot new producer to watch out for in 2015?
“Ramiro Lopez has had a great breakthrough year this year, we released an EP from him too which we were really pleased to get behind and help get him out there.”
The electronic music scene in the States is fragmenting every day with clubbers discovering new genres all the time. Trance seems to be right at the top of their lists at the moment as Paul Oakenfold gleefully regaled in the magazine a few weeks back. To us that’s no surprise, trance is a universal sound, always uplifting and always popular right?
“With the melodic side to trance, it’s not really a big surprise as you say, it is for sure a global sound. I guess it connects on a level with people that gives them good and happy memories. If the generation over there are starting to explore other genres now then this is great, and perhaps something with a little more melody is where they are headed. If they find techno after that then even better.”
Your favourite city of the year that always gives you goosebumps…
“Amsterdam as it holds so many good memories and I’ve been playing there for some time now. Buenos Aries has also been really exciting too, the last club I played, Crobar, was insane. I enjoy learning about cultures and countries while I travel too, and I’m off to Mumbai for the first time in a few weeks, which I’m certain, will be really interesting.”
The last great studio toy you bought yourself?
“A pair of KRK Headphones for working on music while I travel. The sound in them is really great and clear.”
Your favourite Remix of 2014?
“Truncate – Concentrate (Truncate Rework).”
The producer of 2014 and why…?
“Harvey Mckay. Nailed his own sound and has been one of the most consistent. Carlo Lio is a close second.”
What are the next studio plans for Mr Rundell?
“I’ve been working on more track ideas for next year, developing and evolving the sound from this year. This usually tends to happen with me, after a year I tend to explore again and see what comes out. If it feels right then it’s all go.”
1 thing that really pissed you off in the world of dance music in 2014…
“EDM vs Underground. If people decide to play and enjoy different music to you that’s absolutely fine and their right, so just get on with what your doing and enjoy and love that!”
A tune that really caught you by surprise this year…
“Gary Beck feat Debra Debs – Get Together. Gary’s tough beats with a vocal element he’s not done before, but really works!”
And finally gotta ask, what do you want for Christmas?
“A rest!”
