Since his coming out party at Creamfields, Jack Eye Jones has been blowing onto the scene with his upbeat club bangers and massive big room tracks.
Capable of whipping crowds around the world into a frenzy, his sound has garnered the attention of Tiesto, Blasterjaxx and more, leading to international tours and numerous hit releases.
We sat down with Jack Eye Jones to discuss playing Creamfields, his affinity for frat parties, future goals, and what country has been his favorite place to play.
Check out the exclusive Jack Eye Jones interview below.
thatDROP: What a big year it’s been for Jack Eye Jones with some massive original tracks as well as remixes from both Tiësto and Blasterjaxx. Can you pick out one moment where you thought ‘This is why I do this’?
Jack Eye Jones: Last year I played a small stage at Creamfields, the biggest dance festival in UK. I walked up to stage and the guy before me was playing deep house and there was a crowd of probably 30-40 people there. I walked up to the stage, not knowing what I was going to play, even as a first track.
It seemed like it was this one of those gigs where I’d have my head down and just get the job done, playing to a small crowd. It can happen though! I’ve done it a few times and it’s not nice, but you have to play. Anyway it was Creamfields and the first time ever I was playing there so I didn’t expect too much. But if I played the right tracks I knew I could build that audience. What eventually happened was nothing short of mind blowing. There was so, so, so many people that showed up. I made that happen and the promoter of Creamfields approached me after my set and said he seen me and asked how it was possible because at that time of the day there was more people at my stage than one of the main stages!
This is a point that I thought, this is why I do this. I was rewarded for this performance by Creamfields putting me on the main stage this year!
thatDROP: It seems like Tiësto has been a really avid supporter of yours over the last few years. How important is it to have the support of a legend like that?
Jack Eye Jones: Tiësto supports a lot of up and coming acts, which is great. It’s a way for my tracks and mashups to get more exposure and people to come across to my podcast, Ibiza Sessions. It makes you believe in yourself when someone like that uses your productions. He remixed one of my tracks earlier this year and I remixed his classic Adagio For Strings, I sent it to him and he said he preferred his own. I thought nothing of it until Tiësto’s old label heard the remix on Avicii’s radio show and they asked if it was possible to release it with me. I didn’t think Tiësto would approve it but here we are with a release date imminent!
thatDROP: Talk us through your new track “My Neighbours Swing” We heard rumors it almost didn’t get a release.
Jack Eye Jones: I recorded it in the Jamm in Brixton London, the studio of Alabama 3. We used one of the guys there to add a husky rap. I can’t mention how we got him sounding as rough as he was, but it worked! After finishing the track it wasn’t the direction I was going down. I was changing to more Avicii-like pop type tracks and had decided not to release it as it’s a bit harder and in your face. But after doing my first USA tour I had started playing it in my sets and it was going off so my manager decided it might be a good idea to give it a full release. It’s full on energy get your f*ckin hands up!
thatDROP: You have just finished a 15 date U.S. tour this fall. Did The States measure up to your expectations?
Jack Eye Jones: It was a learning curve and an experience. I’m quite fortunate I get to play in a lot of countries and they are all different. So many DJs only know how to do one set and not change it up depending on the location or the crowd. On this tour I got to do different sets incorporating deep house, electro, more dancey stuff, and even a bit of trance up in Philadelphia. I also got to go to some great frat parties. Those are crazy!
thatDROP: You have a reputation for your off the wall antics and pranks (we’ve seen the videos to prove it!). Tell us who’s more crazy – Americans or our friends over in Europe?
Jack Eye Jones: Both are crazy. Glasgow in Scotland wins! It’s right in your face. The only place in the world where if your playing and you get hit with a bottle of beer it’s a compliment (If there is beer in it. If there isn’t, they don’t like you). Maybe America can prove me wrong this year.
thatDROP: Whats the plan for the coming year? Will the Jack Eye Jones studio keep churning out those big room bangers? We hear you’re working with Junior Sanchez on some new material.
Jack Eye Jones: We were having breakfast at Cafe Mambo in Ibiza one morning and he said we should move to LA. Now he is my house mate here in the Hollywood Hills. He’s helping build the studio. We haven’t started on anything yet. He is very creative and has a totally different style to me. I’m sure I’m going to learn loads from him and if the opportunity comes one day for a joint production it would be great, he’s a legend.
thatDROP: How has your sound evolved as you continue to progress throughout your career and master more techniques?
Jack Eye Jones: I have a broad mind on types of music. I get to play all sorts and I’m pretty good at knowing what to play and when and not sticking to the same playlist. Every set just now is different and I love that. I think it pushes you and the crowd benefit from that.
thatDROP: Who have been some of your biggest influences, both in music and life in general?
Jack Eye Jones: Jon Mancini resident from Colours for the last 25 years. He has been a mentor to me in more ways than just music. I can say if it wasn’t for Jon Mancini I wouldn’t be where I am today. I owe a lot to Jon.
thatDROP: What are some short-term and long-term goals in your career?
Jack Eye Jones: I have my next two releases finished and due out – First “Rainbows” then “Everywhere.” They are quite different to my usual productions, more pop/Avicii influenced, which is where I want to focus my long term production; More chart based for the moment, lots more collaborations. I have very big dreams and being here in LA is definitely helping me achieve these.
thatDROP: Describe the moment you realized you could make music as a career.
Jack Eye Jones: I owned a recording studio years and years before I started producing and playing. It never worked out. My business partner was too busy getting stoned to make money, so it finished! I kept up production and years later I did some gigs and seeing people’s reaction to my music, that it made them happy, made me realize that is all I ever wanted to do. Being on stage is where I come in to my own and I love it.
thatDROP: Share one of your favorite stories from touring and traveling the world.
Jack Eye Jones: I have loads! When me and Kap Slap crashed this frat party after our gig and ended up playing on there decks. The house was crazy. I couldn’t believe people actually stayed there. When i asked for a beer, they were in the washing machine. I’d definitely be up for more frat parties if I’m doing a college tour again.
thatDROP: What is one of the wildest fan experiences you have had to date?
Jack Eye Jones: He’s a family member so he can probably be excused for being deluded, but my cousin has a huge tattoo on his leg that says Jack Eye Jones!
