Jako: “That combination - connection and creativity - keeps me going”

For Jako, music has always been about observation, energy, and self-expression. Coming up through Los Angeles’ evolving house scene, she didn’t rush to define her sound - instead, she immersed herself fully, spending nights on dance floors, watching how rooms shifted, how crowds moved, and how confidence translated through music. That curiosity became the foundation of her approach as both a DJ and producer.

Jako’s journey has been shaped by lived experience rather than trends. Her vocal-driven productions pull directly from real life — moments of reflection, power dynamics, and personal growth — delivered with a playful edge and an unmistakable boldness. As she returns to Force of Habit with Boyz Toyz, Jako reflects on her evolution, the importance of creative space, and why staying true to your voice matters more than fitting into any single scene.

Q: You came up through the LA scene, which has its own unique relationship with house music. How has the City of Angels shaped your sound and your approach as a DJ? Anyone in particular who inspired you early on?

A: Los Angeles shaped my sound through immersion. I started DJing around 2014, and by 2015–2016 I was fully embedded in the scene — going out constantly, studying rooms, watching how different crowds moved. That was around the time Space Yacht was just getting started. I actually played one of their early shows when they were still at Golden Box behind Supperclub in Hollywood, before everything scaled. Being around that early underground wave in LA had a huge impact on me.

Before that, I was an open-format DJ in Sacramento, where there wasn’t much of a house scene. I loved DJing, but I hadn’t found my sound yet.

The turning point was EDC 2014. I saw Drezo on an art car and remember thinking, “What is this?” It wasn’t big room. It wasn’t polished. It had edge and attitude. That moment flipped a switch for me. I knew I didn’t want to follow trends — I wanted something darker, more playful, more mine.
LA gave me the space to build that.

Q: Since your debut release "Jak Shit Crazy" about six years ago , your sound has kept evolving. What’s shaping your studio mindset these days?

A: Life experience. I’ve always said I play what I like, I wear what I like, and I produce what I like. I’m not chasing trends — I’m chasing what excites me creatively.

With Boyz Toyz, the vocal came almost instantly. The words just landed. They were pulled straight from real-life moments — navigating dating apps, power dynamics, and realizing how quickly things shift when you stop trying to be agreeable and start owning the room.

That lived experience shapes everything I make right now. It’s not theoretical. It’s personal. And when it’s personal, it hits harder.

Q: Playing at EDC 2023 was indeed a huge milestone for you. Did experiences like that change the way you see your path moving forward?

A: Originally, I was only scheduled to play at RedTail inside Resorts World. Then two weeks before, I got the call asking if I wanted to play the actual festival. Of course I said yes. It wasn’t about the stage size. It was about the scale — the production, the energy, the possibility.

Being there expanded my perspective. That moment made me think bigger. It showed me there’s no ceiling if you’re willing to evolve and stay consistent. That’s when I stopped just DJing and started building long-term.

Q: House music right now is pulling in a lot of different directions, with plenty of hype around it. Where do you see yourself fitting into today’s tech-house scene?

A: I’ve never been someone who fits neatly into one box — and I’m okay with that. My recent releases all sit in slightly different lanes, and what’s coming next does too. I’m not interested in forcing myself into one subgenre just because it’s hot. I gravitate toward heavier basslines, attitude-driven grooves, and quirky vocals with personality. That will always be part of my signature. But beyond that, I’d rather build something distinct than predictable. I’m not trying to fit into a scene. I’m building my own lane.

Q: You’re back on Force of Habit with your new release “Boyz Toyz” — such a fun title. Can you tell us more about this project?

A: A lot of it came from dating. I was on the apps for a bit — not seriously, just observing — and it felt like endless noise. Surface-level conversations. Posturing. Everyone performing instead of connecting. That energy inspired Boyz Toyz.

I keep a running vocal journal, and when I sat down to write, the lines just came out. They rolled off my fingertips. It wasn’t calculated — it was pulled straight from real-life moments navigating modern dating. Instead of making it bitter, I made it playful. It’s teasing. It’s confident. It flips the power dynamic and has fun with it.

Q: It sounds like a serious club weapon. Are there certain moments when this track really does its damage?

A: The second drop really slaps. But honestly, my favorite moment is when the vocal first comes in. I’m very vocal-driven in my production, and that’s where the personality of the track reveals itself. It sets the tone — playful, confident, a little dangerous — and then the drop feels even heavier because of it.

Q: You’ve talked about energy and connection being key to your sets. How do you read a room, and how do you know when it’s time to push things forward or let the groove breathe?

A: When it’s a proper show, I build a roadmap. I’ll curate a playlist so I have structure and direction, especially knowing the venue and crowd. But I always read the room. If something’s not landing, I pivot.

I move quickly in my sets. I rarely play a track longer than about three minutes. I get bored easily, and I like momentum. If I’m playing an hour, I’ll prepare at least 30 tracks. We live in a digital world — we have that flexibility — and for me, it keeps the energy sharp and evolving.

Q: Your journey hasn’t been conventional. What keeps you motivated?

A: I’ve always loved music. Long before DJing or producing.

Recently, I played at Effex in Albuquerque and felt such a strong connection with the crowd. Mid-set, I remember looking up and just thinking, “Thank you.” There’s something powerful about sharing that energy with strangers and feeling completely aligned.

Every time I play live, I’m reminded I’m a performer. And when I write vocals like Boyz Toyz and feel that creative spark, it lights me up. That combination — connection and creativity — keeps me going.

Q: When you’re not DJing or producing, what inspires you creatively outside of music?

A: I journal almost every morning. Quiet reflection is important to me. When you remove constant stimulation — especially from social media — your mind has space to wander. That’s when ideas form naturally. Fashion has always inspired me. Visual aesthetics, strong characters, bold storytelling — I love that world. But ultimately, it’s quiet time and life experience that fuel most of my creativity.

Without space, it’s hard to hear your own voice.

Q: What’s coming next for Jako over the next year — more releases, collabs, or maybe a new direction musically?

A: There’s definitely more coming. I’m wrapping up a track right now that’s completely different from Boyz Toyz — honestly, different from anything I’ve done before. It’s a shift in energy, and I’m confident people on the dance floor are going to feel it.

That’s all I’ll say for now. Stay tuned.

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