Jimi Jules
If you haven’t yet heard Jimi Jules’ irreverent dance music, his latest album should serve as a fitting introduction to his extraordinary sound. Packed with personality, + is an eclectic collection that brings to mind the synth-laced extroversion of artists like DJ Koze and Modeselektor, serving up productions with a wink, a nudge and a wry smile
Photo: Studio Siebrecht Photography
Released through the house music institution that is Innervisions, + forgoes the crisp and minimal stylings that typify the music of label heads Âme and Dixon. Instead the album explores a varied palette that stretches from exultant electro to moody deep house, with unexpected detours into dub techno and experimental hip-hop, making for some of the album’s most arresting moments. We caught up with Jimi following the record’s release to hear more about his studio set-up, favourite plugins and how he keeps his electronic music feeling intensely human.
1 Tell us about how you first got into music-making.
Jimi Jules: “I started playing the trumpet after my grandfather gave me one for my second or third birthday. I played in a lot of bands and orchestras, and had multiple different teachers weekly to improve my skills as a musician. When I was around 20, I did my BA and MA at the University of Art and Science in Zurich.