Following on from his EP on Saved Records, London-based DJ and producer Lewis Jimenez now announces his new Modulation EP released via Underground Audio. Dan Prince gets the lowdown…
Lewis, a big welcome to DMCWORLD! Where in the world are you right now?
Thanks, I appreciate the warm welcome. I’m in London Town.
The best piece of new music you have heard since rolling out of bed?
You can’t go wrong with a groovy baseline so this one is in my head today; DJ Lion, Tomy Wahl – Switch to Acid (Ellroy Remix).
Exciting times for you right now with the release of your new ‘Modulation’ EP swinging our way on Underground Audio. Three tracks, talk us through the music…
So after the Saved release I felt like making some tracks which were a bit more suitable for warming up but which still maintained a percussive feel to them. I wanted to experiment and get out of my comfort zone a bit, so when Kal at Underground was happy to take the tracks I was made up.
The EP has had some major support from some heavyweight producers, who are some of the guys you always like seeing giving you the thumbs up re your music?
It’s always nice to get some positive feedback from people in the industry who have been there and done it and even inspired you. Cristoph has been really supportive over the past 2 releases which is cool. I’m a big fan of Pig & Dan’s productions as well as Kydus’ which is always a boost but I’ve just got to keep at it really and focus on the next track.
Loved your video of you dropping your track ‘Metanoia’ at Studio 338 this summer. Now the two club dancers in heels either side of your decks…thoughts…?
That was a really good event, the boys at Abode know how to throw a party as well as their selection of “club dancers” by the sounds of it! I’m pretty content with 2 CDJ’s and a mixer but hey, the more the merrier.
Where have some of the other stand out gigs been this year?
So the Abode boys put me on at Sankeys Ibiza during the summer, I got to play the basement which is was a wicked experience. I’ve also just landed back from Los Angeles, where I warmed up at Sound nightclub. I then got to play for 5 hours for Frameworks event at Union which was headlined by Dubfire, Hot Since 82 & Kolsh. I owe the opportunity to Kobi Danan who is really pushing the scene out there.
What are the big 5 tracks in your box this weekend…
In no particular order…
1) Stanny Abram – The Funk Maschine
Deep & pumping, the vocal works well too.
2) Neverdogs – Frontiers (Gruuve Remix)
Solid track, bass & percussion is on point.
3) Dennis Cruz – Twisted
Pumping with an old school vocal.
4) Miravan – Everything is just a light (Mirco Caruso Remix)
Nice and deep, reminds me of Dyed Soundorom’s early stuff.
5.) Pirupa – Orbital
Peak time banger!
Okay, up close and personal time…
The track that…
Chills me out – Guti; All the Girls
Gets me dancing – Ben Grunnell; Aria
Is my guilty pleasure – Candi Staton – Young Hearts Run Free
Always fills a dancefloor when I need it – Kabale Und Liebe; Since You Looked Into My Eyes
I wish I had made – Kerri Chandler; In My System.
Always gets the tears rolling – Not quite tears but definitely gets the goosebumps going; Digitaline; Africa.
Reminds me of an amazing club moment – Alex Piccini, Re Up; Forget. Me and some friends went Sunwaves in Romania the year before last, Marco Carola played for 24 hours and he dropped this towards the end of the set.
You have a big love for Ibiza. Tell us about the first time you stepped off the plane and smelt the pine…
I went for the first time in 2010 with my uncle for the bank holiday weekend, walking around San Antonio a little worst for wear, failing to hail a cab at 8am oblivious to the fact there was a taxi rank up the road is the memory which springs to mind!
Best night out in Ibiza ever?
Marco Carola closing 2015! He finished the night with Marshall Jefferson – Move Your Body. The Amnesia Terrace in the morning is something special.
Your worst ever job?
I’ve been quite fortunate in this department, I’ve worked in an office environment before which wasn’t for me although the people were nice enough.
What is your earliest musical memory from your childhood?
Singing “I’ll Wash Your Back” in my dad’s car. Turns out it was I Want You Back by Take That, my dad still gives me stick about it to this day. Although in my defence I must have been about 4 at the time.
How did electronic music first appear on your radar?
Through my uncle who I mentioned earlier. He got me into the Defected compilation CDs, Goa 09 is still a favourite.
First amazing club you went to that gave you a taste for all this?
I was 18, and went to Fabric for the first time, I saw Loco Dice there and I was hooked.
A DJ you would love to spin back to back with?
Kerri Chandler, his record collection has got to be out of this world.
A piece of advice you can give to the thousands of aspiring producers reading this?
Just to keep at it, you have your good and bad days in the studio, don’t let either of them get the better or worst of you. Also invest in a Moog!
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
I’m due to have a couple tracks out on Little Festival Records; they have been throwing some big parties in London which I have been fortunate to have been a part of over the course of the year. They are launching their label shortly and my track is due out in February, They have a really interesting artist on remix duties so I’m looking forward to hearing the outcome. I’m also in the process of finishing another 2 tracker which I’ll be looking to put out in the new year.
For more information on Lewis Jimenez:
https://soundcloud.com/lewisjimenez
https://www.facebook.com/Lewisjimenezmusic
For more information on Underground Audio:
