Get to know: Jesse Perez

A larger than life character with a thumping record collection to match, Jesse Perez is one those of people who leave a lasting impression in person and on the dancefloor (whether you like it or not).

Finishing up a whirlwind 2017, the Miami born producer rounded up the year with his recent Toolroom release ‘Daddy’ while sharing a typically bass-fuelled remix of Steve Lawler’s ‘Show The Way’ [Viva]. Following the success of his Funk vs Rydim’s “Ghetto Booty” remix on Hot Creations, Perez is busier than ever with an upcoming February release on Do Not Sleep.

Catching up with Perez in the heat of Bali, we caught up with the brutally honest selector and jackin’ house crafter ahead of his Egg LDN return on 16th February alongside Sonny Fodera and MANT. No beating around the bush here…

Tell us about the electronic music scene in Miami? How does it differ from the scene here in London?

No idea what’s it’s like anymore, to be honest. A few years ago I moved to Bali where I’ve built my studio, and have been working non-stop. I’ll tell you what though, while sometimes the weather isn’t the most pleasant, London is the Mecca of music, there’s not a genre of music that isn’t thriving there. It has my utmost respect!

What’s your own definition of ‘bass music’?

Bass music for me has to rumble with frequencies below 100hz as displayed by DJ Fury, Bass Patrol, Powersupply, DJ Magic Mike, Spacemen.

What do you look out for when signing artists to your imprint, Mr. Nice Guy Records?

I first look at what foods they post on their Instagram. You can always tell if an artist makes good or shit music by the foods they eat, that’s why I never post such photos because I don’t want anyone judging my music before they even read my IG bio. I also try to know their age too. In some instances, I’ll receive demos from younger artists and they’ll make it a point to say their age, like “Hi my name is John and I’m 16 years old and live in Iowa”. That sentence alone saves 20 mins of my time, each day!

There’s no way a 16-year-old, that lives in potato valley is going to send a dope demo! At 16 you just haven’t had your heart broken enough times to bring out certain emotions people want to hear in your music, and living around people that smile and greet you all day when they walk past you at the mall doesn’t let you build the type of character you need to have in order to last in this business. Those are the 2 main things really.

Your RA bio states that you don’t like to ‘reveal too much’ about yourself. In a world of Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and everything else in between, what do you think of these platforms to help spread an emerging artists sound? Perhaps you have advice for an upcoming artist who might think these platforms are the only way to get noticed?

Upload your mixtapes and demos to Pornhub, stop trying to get everyone’s attention on the same social platforms! If you don’t put in that extra effort you are going to be left behind and that annoying dude that wears Beats by Dre headphones and post his squat routines on IG all day is going to get all the attention and the gigs! You gotta think outside the box, join ChristianMingle.com, that audience will support you to the moon and back. I joined BlackPeopleMeet a few years ago, and while I haven’t had many engagements, people at least see the extra effort being put forth.

Leave us with three tracks that will give a taste for what’s to come on 16th February here at Egg LDN…

Rednex - ‘Cotton Eyed Joe’

Eiffel 65 - ‘Blue’

Sisqo - ‘Thong Song’