Jakwob // Interview

23 year old producer and multi-instrumentalist Jakwob has announced a huge live tour of the UK, starting on November 1st at Cargo London! This follows on from his tour supporting Wretch 32, as well as a whole host of headline shows across Europe and the USA.

Jakwob’s ‘The Prize’ mixtape – all original tracks featuring the likes of Kano, Ghostpoet, Mr Hudson, Youngman, Roses Gabor has to date reached 35,000 downloads. Tracks from ‘The Prize’ including ‘Island’ ft Ghostpoet and ‘Please’ ft Kano have enjoyed heavy rotation across Radio 1 and all specialist shows.

He has also unveiled the accompanying video for his forthcoming single ‘Blinding’ (featuring Rocky Nti), due out on 19th November through his own label Boom Ting Recordings. Check it out below…

We caught up with Jakwob for a chat about his forthcoming album, his live show and his dream party…

Hi Jakwob…

Tell us about your 2012…

It’s been a busy one! I’ve been touring with my live project and working on both my mixtape and album.

And talk us through the new single, Blinding..

I wrote Blinding a year ago with Rocky. It’s about getting everything you’ve ever wanted and not being able to handle it.

We loved your mixtape from earlier this year, The Prize, why did you decide to give it away for free?

I was fed up with working with a major label and fed up of working to major label schedules and just wanted to release music that reflected exactly what i was up to.

And we understand your debut album is on the horizon? When is it going to be finished, and what can we expect from it?

When the album is eventually released it will be full of all sorts – a mixture of club and chilled out stuff.

You really made waves with your Ellie Goulding bootleg back in 2009, what was it like getting such a brilliant response for one of your first remixes?

It was very overwhelming and fuelled a lot more creativity.

To what extent does your state of mind influence the music you make? Do you try and channel your current mood into your music?

Yes, definitely, though good records seem to be made spontaneously in the right place at the right time.

You’ve collaborated with some pretty huge names over the last few years, have you ever felt a bit star struck by the person you’re working with?

Not star struck but sometimes really overwhelmed by people’s voices and ability in the studio.

Who would be your dream collaborator?

Jonsi

You’re about to embark on a massive live tour of the UK, what can we expect from the live show?

I recently did a Maida Vale session for Huw Stevens – that gives you an insight into the live show. Half is chilled out, half is heavy and dancer.

Do you have any favourite live shows from other artists, or are there any other live shows that have influenced yours?

Sbtrkt – every time i’ve seen him he’s been awesome. Lots and lots of others.

What does the future hold for Jakwob?

Hopefully loads!

What 3 tracks sum you up best?

Right now… Please, Stay and Blinding.

And finally if you could put on your dream party, who would play, where would it be, and would there be a theme?

Chilly Gonzales would play, it would be in an abandoned cinema with a day of the dead theme.

soundcloud.com/jakwob // www.jakwob.com // www.facebook.com/jakwobofficial