Jochem Hamerling was born on 17th March 1986. He grew up in a musically inclined family. So his odyssey began as soon as his fingers were able to touch the piano keys. He then further ventured into other instruments as such the saxophone and started experimenting with his father’s synthesizers making his first tracks. We’ve talked with him about his music career and his new EP on Adesso Music.
Hey Jochem. How has 2022 been for you so far?
It’s been a crazy year where everything is starting back up again. There are so many events in the Netherlands right now. It’s unbelievable. I have been producing a lot of music for the past two years so I am very happy to finally be able to play them out to an actual audience.
Tell us about your journey into dance music, when did you first fall in love with it?
I started out making music on my dad’s synthesizers and playing music at birthday parties. Back then I didn’t even realize there was something called a DJ. Slowly I discovered more and more music but the real change came when I lived in Chicago as an exchange student. We went to a block party where Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak, and Paul Johnson played. Before that, I only knew the trance that was popular in Holland. A whole new world opened at that moment.
And when did you start making it, what sounds and DJs and labels and parties inspired you?
I get inspiration from everything. I really like all genres and sounds. I love a good sexy house record but I also love a dark, melodic techno track. My biggest challenge is to combine all these sounds into something that works.
And what is your own sound, what makes your music unique?
I guess it is that combination. Melodic elements, but also the house and techno grooves. You can hear it best in my track Speculation on Adesso Music.
What are some of the key bits of music-making gear in your current setup?
Most important is of course Ableton. I use a lot of plugins from Ableton and also work with Ableton’s own synths. Hardware-wise I have Rolands TR9 and TR9 and the main piece of my studio is the Roland Jupiter X.
Where is your best environment as a DJ? A small dark club or a huge outdoor festival stage? late at night for the weirdos or early so you can play slow and eclectic etc?
As said before I love it all. They all require a very different approach and that really gets the DJ in me going. I love to build an atmosphere that suits the location. Preferably in long sets.
Tell us about your show on SLAM! How did you first get into radio and how do you juggle that with producing your own music?
I was Music Director at SLAM! for a couple of years. During that time we came up with the idea to make a radio show that really focuses on the deeper side of dance music. We wanted to create something for the true lovers of the underground. A very big scene in the Netherlands that you can barely call underground anymore. We started The Boom Room 8 years ago and grew out to a show that almost became mainstream, while still playing those underground tracks. We were even nominated for a Marconi Award for ‘best radio show in the Netherlands’. A huge honor. Next to the boom room I also make the show Exoplanets where I go one step deeper. That show airs at 3 at night so I go all out there. These radio shows make sure I stay up to date music-wise and all those promos I receive give a lot of inspiration for my own music and sets I play.
Do you make music that suits certain labels or do you create first and worry about that later?
Sometimes I have a label in mind and try to work towards a sound that fits the label. But in reality, that pretty much never works for me. I go where the creative process leads me. Sometimes I start an idea for a deep house track and two hours later it is a melodic techno track.
How do you work, do you have an idea in your head you work towards, or do you just experiment and jam and see what happens?
Most of the time I just jam around. Sometimes I start with a groove, sometimes I play around on the Jupiter until I have something. Those first elements are usually completely gone a few hours later in the process.
Tell us about your Adesso Music EP – what inspired or influenced it, where and when, and who was it written for?
Breezer is a track I made at the end of lockdown. It’s a subtle but groovy tune that can work on a dance floor, but also at a beach club. As a DJ I am always looking for good tunes that are not necessary peak time. This is one of those tunes to get a crowd going during the start of a set. I sent it to Adesso Music and they immediately signed it!
New release stream
https://open.spotify.com/album/5GGtoIAVm5EfTiGBKD1oiu?si=Cu6un_-8TIKa13Ikh8Ejmw
What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career so far?
Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do. Everything is possible as long as you work hard enough. And be nice. It’s a small world and life is short.
New release purchase link
https://www.beatport.com/release/breezer-extended-mix/3713596
