Jonny Cade is one of a number of young producers whose mature approach to music, DJing and production belies his relatively tender years. From his residency at Leeds’ Flux (soon to launch a London offshoot) to productions on the likes of Kolour, Leftroom and Loco Records, Cade has fast created a name for himself as one to watch.
Here he lays down certainly the longest and arguably most diverse In Their House mix we’ve had the pleasure of bringing you.
In Their House #18 - Jonny Cade by Defected Records
What have you been up to recently?
I have been living in the crazy city of Leeds for the past 3 years, which seems to be a full time job in itself. Every week I make a resolution to get on with my Uni work, get early nights and eat healthily, which usually lasts for the whole of Monday. The rest of the week I spend my time attempting to transfer the sounds in my head to my computer.
I am currently a resident for a night called Flux which has been doing really well. Over the last couple of months we have had Deetron, Will Saul, Jimpster, and Mario Basanov to name a few. These parties have been incredible to play at and are always a highlight of each month. I have also been working hard on an album with my good friend Huxley, which comprises a lot of live concepts and so far has been a lot of fun.
How long have you been making music and what made you start?
I took up drumming when I was 6 and spent my early teens playing the drums in local jazz and rock bands. When I was 15 I was introduced to the world of clubbing by my two older sisters, but when I was 16 I smashed my leg up on a motorbike which stopped me playing the drums. After the accident I saved up for my first set of turntables and began collecting funky house and drum and bass records.
In 2007 I went to Ibiza for the summer with a few friends. Here I met all of the guys from Ketoloco, saw some unbelievable DJs and was lucky enough to attend DC10 every Monday throughout the season which changed my outlook on life and music forever. I remember sweating my bollocks off to Magda playing a three hour set whilst crying with euphoria. As cheesey as it sounds I was in love for the first time in my life, not with a person but with a concept, a club, and most of all a type of music, which is when I knew I wanted to be a producer.
You live in Leeds but spend a reasonable amount of time in London…how do the music scene’s compare between the two of them?
If you had asked me this question three years ago I would say they’re very similar, but now my opinion has changed. Leeds is a very student orientated city with what seems to be hundreds of nights going on each week, which with around two hundred thousand music hungry students to cater for is not that surprising!
In London I think the music scene is musically more mature (I’m sure a lot of people would disagree with this but this is just my opinion). I feel like the crowds are more willing to listen and get down to anything you want to throw their way, whereas in Leeds there is more expectations to hear loads of floor fillers.
There are of course exceptions in Leeds; parties such as Back2basics, Mono_cult and Louche are continuing to bring in unbelievable acts and individually they all have very contrasting vibes to their nights. In London there are a lot more ‘one-off’ nights, showcasing talent from record labels etc. These are usually thrown in mind blowing locations and are full of musically minded people. I think the music scene in London and Leeds are both very special and neither is better, but do feel that as one gets older London has more appeal.
How and where did you put the mix together?
I recorded the mix with a mixture of CD and vinyl. I have been putting aside my favourite records for the last couple of months ready to put this podcast together. I decided to include a collection of tunes that span from nice deep house to heavier more upbeat tunes. I wanted to do a long podcast for you guys because this allows me to display my full taste in dance music. When I was recording this mix in my room I had a big realisation that I was recording a podcast for Defected, the label that had delivered some of the best house music to my ears from the very beginning! I am so happy to have been asked to showcase not only my own music but the music from some of my favourite producers.
Any particular highlights you’d like to pick out?
Well I think every track is amazing, that’s why I put them on there! Although I did include the three tracks from my Tenth Circle EP as I am really happy with them, which is a rarity.
Jonny Cade - Sir Bombardier by Tenth Circle
In terms of other producers, are there any you’re particularly trying to emulate? Or are you trying to forge your own particular style?
Not at all. There are obviously artists I really like and I respect their sound. But I try and sit down with a completely blank canvas and just produce what comes out of me. A lot of producers use reference material whilst working on something which, although I think is very useful I don’t to do this. This is probably why almost every track I produce is quite different to the previous. I still feel that I am finding my sound as my productions seem to be the result of a lot of experimentation.
You’re currently studying music production at Uni… do you think that gives you an edge over other producers who may not have been formally educated in music?
Whilst studying music I have achieved more from the people I have met and the facilities available than anything else. Learning a musical instrument has more advantages because this allows someone to gain an understanding of music through a different channel of learning. It derives around a self-teaching/hands-on approach, which I believe is an important factor in the creation of music.
I think the production side of music is best learnt through experience and experimentation using the software/equipment available. I wouldn’t say the study of music production has given me an edge, but instead I think it has come from collaborating with other producers. By putting what I have learnt from others together with my own knowledge I beginning to come up with my own sound. Also Huxley has been a good friend of mine for a long time and has taught me a lot over the years and been very supportive. For this I can’t thank him enough.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about..?
I am extremely excited about the next few months. Other than my gigs in the UK I have been booked for a mini tour in Poland in early June along with various festivals throughout the summer including Dimensions festival in Croatia! Production-wise, my next release with Tenth Circle comes out on the 14th of March. I am really happy with all three tracks and I hope everyone else will be to. Also, this summer I am moving to London where I will be running the London Flux parties which I can’t wait to start.
Mix tracklist
1. Jonny Cade – On My Own (Original Mix)
2. Achterbahn d’Amour – The Middle of (Original Mix)
3. Pol_on, Chmara Winter – Bonk (Pol_on Remix)
4. Mr Scruff – Bounce (Original Mix)
5. Alex Danilov – Tell Me (Original mix)
6. M.A.N.D.Y, Booka Shade – Home (Kollektiv Turmstasse)
7. Jimpster – Late Night Blues (Original Mix)
8. Ion Ludwig – Dwell To The Gate (Original Mix)
9. Jonny Cade – Eat My Chords (Original Mix)
10. Yooj – Mademoiselle (Martin Buttrich Remix)
11. Jonny Cade – Shuffle My Timber (Original Mix)
12. Freak Seven – We Bring the Music (Jimpster Remix)
13. Evans & Waterfall – On & On (Huxley Remix)
14. Samaam – Circles (Vince Watson remix)
15. Leskin – Walk Away (Original Mix)
16. Detroit Swindle – Pain Tomorrow (Pattern Select Mix)
17. Skudge – Surplus (Original Mix)
18. Nicolas Massayeff – Mugen (Original Mix)
19. Iron Curtis- GOMA (Original Version)
