Introducing: Jon Rundell

Introducing: Jon Rundell

15 August, 2011 | 4.42AM

• Written by: Dan Cole
• Filed under: Music News: intec, introducing, jon rundell

Jon Rundell took the electronic dance community by surprise earlier this year with his track ”Knick Knack” Released on Carl Cox’s Intec label, the chunky, dubby roller—technically a B-side—went to Beatport’s number-one position and stayed there.

We caught him with the London-based producer to find out the secret of his success.

John Rundell, “Knick Knack” [Intec]

Can you tell us a little about your background? Where did you grow up, and where are you based now?

I grew up on the south coast of England, before moving to London where I have lived for the last 10 years.

How did you get started DJing?

I was watching a programme called Top of The Pops, and Public Enemy were on. I saw what Terminator X was doing and thought I’d have a go; I ruined some of my dad’s LPs in the process.

How would you describe your music?

It’s techno with a house twist, I guess. The thing is to just do what feels right at the time in the studio. I don’t really stick to one thing, because I like all different styles and sounds.

Why do you think “Knick Knack” turned out to be such a hit?

I honestly have no idea. I made the track, and for me, it turned out more dubby, to play in between some bigger records. For it to get to the top goes to show just how wrong you can be about what other people like!

Were you surprised by how well received it was?

Absolutely. When I saw the reactions from the DJs, I was really amazed; I never expected it. Then when it crept in the charts and kept climbing, I just kept thinking, it’ll sit around the mid section. Then when it sat at number two for a while, I was like, “Wow!” It was unreal to get to number one after that. I mean this, for me, is a really underground record, so it’s great to know and see that people can really embrace that kind of track.

Tell us a little about your style of DJing.

Im a DJ’s DJ, I’d say. I’m hands-on with the CDJs and the mixer, I like really getting into it. My sets can be anything they want to be; it depends on the people in front of me, the time I’m playing, the records I feel are right for the mood. One thing all my sets have, though, is a lot of soul to them. Groove is good for me.

Is your family into your music?

Well, my dad was heavily into music: I grew up listening to the Kinks, Small Faces, Rolling Stones and so on, so he understood what it’s about. My whole family came to see me play in Brighton one year, and then my mum eventually understood it too.

What’s your studio like?

I have a home studio setup where I write everything, then I take everything over to Alex Tepper’s place and give it all a good mix-down in his room, as it’s a proper treated room, so we can get all the dynamics right.

Do you currently have a favorite piece of gear or software?

For DJing, my favorite thing is my USB stick with all my music on it. For producing, it’s always been Logic. Some of the software you can get, like Effectrix, I’m a big fan of too.

Is there any record by another producer that you wish you had made?

That’s a really tough question to answer. There are so many that have influenced me over the years. The one that got me into this whole scene was Moby’s “Go,” so I guess it’s that one, really. If I could have made that record and had such an impact on so many people too, so that it shaped the rest of their lives, I think I’d feel quite proud.

Moby, “Go” [Instinct]

What records are you currently playing out at the moment?

Loads! There is so much music around now, and I try to support as much up-and-coming unsigned music as I do established producers. Naturally I play a lot of Intec’s music, so always in the box are Jim Rivers, Nicole Moudaber, Carlo Lio, Robert Babicz, Tomy DeClerque, and recently Daryl Stay--look out for him, he has some great sounds.

When you’re not listening to electronic music, what do you listen to?

All kinds of music. I really love the Mod era: I like what it stands for, the style of music, the style of clothing. I guess with my ad having been one, it was an easy thing to get into. I was actually listening to The Kinks on a flight home yesterday for a while. Outside of this I’m a big fan of Kasabian, The Enemy and Hard Fi. I like music that stands up and says something, a proper message or piece of current social commentary, as opposed to what I’d call the “next in line face fits for one album” type of music. I’m also a closet Duran Duran fan!

When you’re not making or playing music, what’s your preferred pastime?

Watching or playing football. I follow Brighton and keep up to date with things all the time. I catch up with friends wherever possible, although lately this has become harder and harder with all the traveling.

If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing with your life?

I’d be a footballer, or working in football in some way.

Tell us about your upcoming gigs and releases…

I’ve just got back from Ibiza, where I played in the main room at Space alongside Richie Hawtin and Carl, a great experience for sure. Next up are Global Gathering, Bulletdodge in Edingburgh, Dance Valley, the Zurich Street Parade, a tour of Australia. In terms of releases “Knick Knack” is out now on Intec, a follow up for Rekluse at the end of August, then the next Etch release at the end of September. There will also be some remixes hopefully coming out that I’ve just submitted for Great Stuff, Frequenza and the Kaiserdisco lads too. Maybe one day I’ll get a holiday but it wont be any time soon; I can relax when I’m too old!

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