Taste Test: Jason Forrest

Taste Test: Jason Forrest

12 May, 2011 | 10.17AM

• Written by: Dan Cole
• Filed under: Music News: cock rock disco, donna sommer, jason forrest, taste test

I first remember seeing the Jason Forrest Band in the guise of his prog-rock, gabber alter ego at Bristol’s Venn Festival over five years ago. I was amazed by his dexterity in combining rock ‘n’ roll swagger and menacing electronica; it was no surprise to me that his imprint was called Cock Rock Disco.

Since then, Jason has been terrorizing the world under his party pseudonym, DJ Donna Summer, and covering the entire planet in as much confetti as humanly possible. His lastest imprint, Nightshifters, continues to push the boundaries of bass-driven fidget and house and was one of the first homes to America’s latest sensation, AC Slater.

Recently, Jason released his fifth long player, The Everything, to critical acclaim. We caught up with the Berlin-based artist to discover about his eclectic influence.

What was the first record you remember having as a child?

My dad got me Supertramp’s Breakfast In America on cassette when I was about 10. The funny thing is that Supertramp is still one of my most favorite bands! I have their whole discography on my iPhone.

What was the first record you bought with your own money?

My first CD: The Pixies’ Surfer Rosa. Which was totally insane back in the day, because absolutely no one knew them at the time. But the first release I bought by myself was probably a cassette of Yes - 90125. “Owner of a Lonely Heart” was all over MTV at the time and I fancied myself some sort of Olympic champion in training after seeing “Breaking Away.” I literally wore out that cassette that year.

Which style or genre of music was your first great love?

Most probably prog rock, as I learned about it in grade school and still am interested in it today. But my most passionate band/music/era will always be Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black Planet. Public Enemy has been my #1 musical inspiration and they somehow still continue to be. They were just simply so far ahead of their time!

How have your musical tastes changed since you were a teenager?

Surprisingly little! Haha! But I made a rule about 15 years ago that I live by pretty strongly, and that is that I “can’t” say music is “bad.” This unwillingness to judge music has really opened up my horizons, and as a result I’ve learned so much about everything.

What was the last record (or MP3) you bought?

The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, Volume 3: A Child’s Guide To Good And Evil. They were an obscure but totally freaky art-band from the ‘60s. I got it used in Melbourne at a small record store that was in a basement. But the last MP3 I bought was actually a track from the hardstyle trio Donkey Rollers—and I got it right here on Beatport!

Name your three favorite tracks at the moment:

Wow, that’s hard! I’m actually gonna point to tracks that are coming out soon. I know that sounds all elitist and stuff, but when you run two record labels you always sort of live about six months in the future! Haha!

Hospitality – “Friends Of Friends” - super brilliant pop music by a brand new band in NYC. Totally bookish and throughly musical but still rockin!

Hostage - “Witches (Calvertron Remix)” - Easily the biggest dubstep/club tune I have in my set at the moment. It always gets everyone pogoing, and everyone always asks me what it is. Will be out in June on my Nightshifters label.

Lucid – “Shh!” A brand-new artist with a totally unique sound. I’ll admit that I might be biased, because he’s also on Nightshifters, but really—when I heard these tracks I had some similar feeling as to when I heard Untold for the first time, which is to say I really wondered if this was actually music! Haha. Really, his stuff is from the future and it’s so incredible.

Three favorite classic tracks:

Prince, “The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker”.

God, the chord progressions in this tune just tear me up…

Squarepusher, “Coopers World” [Warp]

This is from Hard Normal Daddy, and it was the first real electronic record I bought. He was able to build up so much tension in these tracks yet still lay down this jam-band fusion jazz stuff and somehow NOT have it be cheesy… great stuff!

Outkast, “Gasoline Dreams”

It’s just so hard and weird and awesome and completely raw! Love it!

Which track (by another musician) do you wish that you had made?

2562, “Winamp Melodrama” [When In Doubt]

I freakin’ love it! After doing a ton of club stuff, I’m really drawn to the stranger side of electronic music again. This track is totally melodic get glitchy and strangely put together. A major favorite at the moment!

Favorite website to spend your time on?

www.NetworkAwesome.com

Ok, I’m cheating a bit, but I really WOULD spend all my time there. Network Awesome is actually an online TV channel that I co-founded.  But it’s a great site that curates the best video, TV and films and broadcasts them every day. The site shows all kinds of great stuff from The Muppet Show to weird films like Quatermass And The Pit. Sure, I’m the creative director, but I really am in love with the site. I watch it everyday… Haha

Favorite city/country/club to perform in?

I really like Social Club in Paris. They are just massively professional and have a killer space and system. But my favorite city is most definitely Tokyo! My god, it’s like everyone there is doing the most unusual but completely interesting stuff. Every show has been amazing there. I love it!

What country would you be thrilled to play in, just for the food?

Never been to Africa but would love to go. I really want to go to India, Thailand, Korea, etc. Never been down to that part of the world either.

Strangest thing a fan has ever given you:

Oh man, umm… there’s been a lot of weird ones. I had a dude write a fan letter to me in blood, that was cool. But probably the most weird thing was at an outdoor concert in Austria a few years back. A cool and arty looking 50-plus-year-old lady went over during my set and broke off a Mercedes logo from a nearby car, wrapped it up and gave it to me with a thank you note. Definition of rad.

Weirdest rumor you’ve ever heard about yourself:

That I’m a swinger.

Check out Jason’s new video for “Raunchy” here:

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