Jim Rider: Standing Still in the Eye of the Storm with "Time Stands Still"
Singing for the first time, writing through personal struggle, and blending vulnerability with dancefloor drive, Jim Rider delivers his most intimate statement yet for Bar 25 Music.
Jim Rider makes music that moves between worlds, pairing melodic depth with dancefloor drive across releases on All Day I Dream, Get Physical, and his own Signs imprint. With his third EP on Bar 25 Music, "Time Stands Still", he steps into new territory, singing on record for the first time and channelling a period of personal struggle into two tracks that balance introspection with peak-time energy. In this interview, he reflects on vulnerability in the studio, the evolution of his sound toward melodic house and techno, and the touring moments that remind him why he does it.
Q: This EP is called "Time Stands Still" and yet your life seems to be the opposite of that, constantly moving and touring. Where did the title actually come from?
A: Haha that's a fair question! I won't go too deep into it but I wrote it during a time in my life where I was struggling a bit. I was stuck in the UK while I was dealing with some stuff and I just felt a bit lost. I was frustrated with the situation so it was an expression of that really.
Q: How do you know when two tracks belong together on an EP? What made "Better Off Without You" the right companion piece?
A: I think they fit together because while the themes of the vocals are both quite melancholy, sonically the two tracks feel very different to each other. "Time Stands Still" is a little darker and introspective whereas "Better Off Without You" feels more uplifting and peak-time.
Q: Your sound is often described as melodic yet tough. Is that something you consciously work to maintain in the studio, or does it come naturally at this point?
A: I think it comes naturally now. My sound has evolved over the last couple of years, it's now quicker, heavier and more electronic in nature so it's just a natural progression. Whereas a couple of years ago my releases would fall under "Organic House" or "Deep House" Beatport now tends to release them as "Melodic House & Techno" and "Indie Dance" so I think that shows the shift.
Q: Were there any particular tools, instruments or moments of inspiration that shaped the sound of this EP specifically?
A: "Time Stands Still" is actually the first time I've sung on one of my own records so that was definitely something new for me. Like I said, I was struggling a bit at the time I guess it was quite therapeutic at the time to get it all out and that led to the overall tone of the EP I think. I also use a lot of the same plugins and drums on my records to maintain my sound so that factors in too.
Q: You have played in so many different countries over the years. Do you find that audiences connect with melodic house differently depending on where you are in the world?
A: I don't think so no, people are people and react in similar ways to both light and dark moments during a set. It tends to be hands in the air and smiles for the lighter, groovier stuff then eyes closed and heads down for the heavier tracks. Some places are a little more reserved but generally it's the same the world over.
Q: Is there a moment from your touring life that has stuck with you more than others, a night or a crowd that you keep coming back to?
A: There are a few gigs that stick in my mind when I think about touring. I've played some amazing All Day I Dream shows around the world in some beautiful spots like a forest in Shekvetili in Georgia and on a beach in Jericoacoara in Brazil. I had an amazing show at KOKO in London last year where all of my closest friends were there who I don't see as much since I moved to Mexico. To play a sold out KOKO, a place I spent a lot of my youth going to, and to see all my mates in the crowd was pretty special. I've also just come back from a tour in Argentina. I always have the best gigs there. They have such a passion for music, they get to the shows early and don't leave until they get kicked out haha. There are lots of moments that make me realise how lucky I am to be doing this for a living.
Q: You have been releasing music and touring for many years now. How has your relationship with the dance floor changed over time?
A: Honestly, I think it's only getting stronger every year. My shows are getting bigger and more frequent, more and more of them are selling out which is an amazing feeling and that in turn inspires me to dig deeper for music and also produce better music with those occasions in mind.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in the rest of 2026?
A: Everything! Haha. Soon after this EP on BAR25 I have a remix for my good friend Allen Hulsey (if you haven't seen him play live then you should!). Following that I'll be releasing my remix of "The Streets - Blinded By The Lights" which is probably the track I've ever had the most DMs about in my life. Then I have another 15-20 tracks finished and ready to go across the year but I won't give too much away just now. Tour wise, I'm back in the US and Canada next month then will be back to Europe and Asia later in the year.
