Local action! Despite the pandemic, the Helsinki-based producer, radio host & DJ Jeku has had quite a year. His debut 12" release in January on his own non-temporal label didn't go unnoticed and for a good reason. The follow-up, Radical Error EP, in August gained even wider recognition and support from the likes of Jane Fitz and Colino.
Jeku has kept himself busy in studio and it's safe to say his third release in February '21 will surely make his name familiar to a bigger audience. Also known for his eclectic selections on hisAfterglow-show on IDA Radio Helsinki and a familiar figure in the DJ booths at the local clubs he's one to watch for sure in 2021.
Hi there, how’s things? Can you introduce yourself briefly to our listeners?
Hello! I’m Jeku, a producer, DJ and radio host from Helsinki. I also run a label called Non-Temporal. Things are quite well despite the current world-situation, I’m lucky to currently have a dayjob that hasn’t been affected by the pandemic too much.
Since the DJ gigs are pretty much nonexistent at the moment, I’ve had a lot of time to spend at the studio. I also have a monthly show at IDA Radio called Afterglow, which is more dedicated to downtempo music, like New agey stuff and balearic beat. Its been nice!
What drove you to electronic music in the first place?
I guess I’ve been a music nerd as long as I can remember - I have been through a lot of different phases of music taste, but I think I got into electronic music around the age of 17. At first I was listening to a lot of jungle and drum & bass, and it took a couple of years before I got into house & techno.
I moved to Berlin for a while in 2017, and when I got back I linked here in Helsinki with the Local Deep guys. They invited me to DJ in a couple of their events, and shortly after I joined them. We have been running parties in various undergrounds spots, open airs and also in clubs like Kaiku and Ääniwalli. Hopefully we can continue that next year as well!
What about DJ’ing, and how did you get started?
I picked up a cheap controller almost immediately I got into drum & bass and started practising to mix. Couple of years down the road I managed to save money for an Allen & Heath mixer and a pair of CDJs, which I pretty quickly then sold to get a pair of technics.
Back then I used to take every gig I could get just to learn how to play. They were one DJ per night -kind of gigs so I learnt a lot from constructing sets and setting moods, even though it was rare to get to play the music I was really fond of. Around 2016-2017 I made the call to pursue more, which is partly why I moved to Berlin for a short while, to get inspiration and a fresh point of view.
You are an avid vinyl fan and record collector. Tell us a little about your collection and how you go about finding records to buy?
I’ve always liked owning music in tactile form, and I think I started collecting vinyl records around 5 years ago. I try to keep my collection smallish (between 500-1000 records) and sell some stuff on the way of new records. Probably 90% of the records I buy are from Discogs. The rest 10% comes from friends, local stores & online shops
When you select records for your set, what’s your approach like?
It depends on the time of the set, the length and the general type of the night mostly. Usually when picking up the records I have 3 categories in my head - records suitable for the beginning of the set, the peak and towards the end.
Name three to five secret weapons that you almost every time carry in your bag?
Speedy J - Pepper (The Hot Mix)
This one hasn’t left my bag since I got it I think. Not so secret maybe, but a sure weapon to say the least.
Perishing Thirst - Desecr-8
Always with me - such an euphoric early hour belter. The whole album is sublime
Soundbwoy Killah - Abra Cadabra
Big breakbeat tune with bass that shakes the floor anywhere.
The Drum Club - Alchemy (Phasers On Stun Mix)
I like playing a lot of early ravey stuff thats more in the 120-125 bpm area along with faster stuff, and this one hits every part perfectly for me. Orbital on the remix duty and dub melodica riff thats just too good.
Intelligent Communication - Drive
A maybe lesser known stuff from F.S.O.L guys. Super production that has yet to fail as a set ender
Did DJing eventually turn your attention into making music or was it always there right from the beginning?
I play the guitar and know myself around a keyboard, and since high school I’ve always had some band project on the go, so creating music for me has been around quite a while. It took some years of DJing before I actually started producing electronic music though.
Are there any new tools or musicians or artists who have recently inspired you?
As you can probably here on my records, a lot of the influences I get are from 90’s trance / techno / rave stuff. I can’t name any particular artist or a tool in specific, but more like the era of music and the attitude that was involved making that music. For me the most inspiring aspect is that anyone could do it in their basement or bedroom, without the need of expensive gear, studios or musical education.
What does the coming 12 months hold for you in regards of releases, collaborations etc.?
I got a new EP coming on my own label Non-Temporal around february! Along with that, I have couple of more things cooking for next year, which are maybe too early to reveal yet hehe
So the mix, can you tell us a little something about that?
I’ve been digging into this progressive sound of late nineties / early 2000s, and I felt like I want to play some of the records I’ve found lately.
There has been a lot of mixes out now with a peak-time vibe to them, so maybe I wanted to do something more relaxed and spacey in comparison. I like the mixture of old and new records in the mix, and I feel like it came together pretty well actually!
Many thanks, anything else?
Thanks to you and all the people who have been supporting my music <3 Also thanks to Henkka for doing so amazing graphics for my label and lastly Sasse for banging masters for my music.
Enjoy the mix!
playlist
01 - R.d.1 - Cut-Off (Chill-out) / Rising High Records, 1993
02 - DJ Spell - Fly / Mule Electronic, 2006
03 - Chaos In The CBD - Kaitaia Fire / In Dust We Trust, 2018
04 - Human Beings - The Pattern (Earteam Mix) / Deviate, 1996
05 - Human Space Machine - Cycle / De Lichting, 2020
06 - Lawrence - Illuminated (Kettenkarussell Remix) / Mule Musiq, 2017
07 - Calmec - Tangerine / Remark Records, 2004
08 - Adam Pits - Magenta / Coastal Haze, 2020
09 - Revolt - Relax (Lemon 8 Remix) / Bliss Productions, 2002
10 - Jeku - Aftermath (Forthcoming 2021)
11 - The Drum Club - U Make Me Feel So Good (The Deep’n’Hard Mix) / Guerilla, 1992
12 - Mogambo - Dishoom / Siamese Twins Records, 2020
13 - N-Gynn - Marmaris / Hamam House, 2019
DJ profile
Jeku
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Bandcamp | Soundcloud
Grasping the sound of the 90’s with the modern touch, Jeku is one to watch as he’s making name for himself in Helsinki, Finland. The 27-years-old producer, DJ and promotor has had a stellar year despite the pandemic, releasing 2 EPs and getting noted from his productions along the globe. Combining elements of raw beats, psychedelic synths and acid hooks to die for, he’s looking forward to get on the field at 2021.
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