Zone Magazine Issue 033 - Jan Johnson

Let’s focus on your last EP Ancient
Spirits on Think About Records. What
is the inspiration behind it?
In terms of inspiration for my latest EP, when I am
producing a new track, I mostly just start playing around with
different sounds to put together my idea. Its generally a
process of mixing different sounds to eventually get the idea I
want. At the time I was working on my latest EP, I was
reading a lot about mythology and also I was starting to read
about Japanese mythology and found these characters
(Kodama And Suzaku - both the name of each track) very
interesting due to what they represent and their stories.
What made Think About records the
right home for this release?
When I finished both tracks It was around the same
time the label was founded so I thought It would be great way
to start the label with one of my own productions.
I thought at the time that those two tracks were a
good idea of what I wanted above anything else on the label -
melody above anything else within the genres that I like to
play and listen to.
Do you prefer writing originals or
doing remixes?
I enjoy both of them very much. At first I struggled
with remixes and felt a bit lost or unsure what to add. I now
feel more confident and really enjoy adding my personal touch
on someone else's idea.
Recently you debuted on 3rd Avenue
with Far Beyond the Sun.
What was
the experience working with this
label?
The experience was amazing! I sent a few tracks to
Sound Avenue and Dom(Madloch - label owner) got back to
me saying he liked Far Beyond the Sun and that he wanted to
add it as part of a various artists album.
Madloch was super clear about the process, answered
every question I had and helped me to adjust a few things on
the track which made it stand out. This was huge to me and I
felt super excited about it. And am still feeling super excited
about it.
need to keep working on my music. Hopefully one day it will
happen.
Apart from music, what makes you
happy?
My partner and daughter, going to the beach, playing
video games, reading, watching movies and hanging out with
my friends.
What else can we expect from you in
2020?
Well 2020 it has been a rollercoaster! I'm gonna keep
working on my podcast, Reconnect, on Saturo Sounds (UK).
I'm currently working on my own EP to be released on my
label, Think About records. I'm also working on 3 remixes
which I hope to finish before the end of the year.
Any releases or special dates we
should be looking out for?
I will be releasing a new EP on my label hopefully
around December, that will include a remix from Stuart
Hunter. And on 2021, I will release a remix of one of
Audioglider's songs for ASTIR records,a remix on AH Digital
label, a remix for Light side Music and also Im working on an
EP on Future Avenue.
Tell us about how each new artist
release has influenced the music you
make?
Well I think each release brings new sounds
and new ways of presenting musical ideas. I try to
imagine how the producers made those sounds, also
the way they structured their songs, and the
arrangement they made - I think that's a great way to
learn from others. In the end, this helps inspire new ideas
for your own music, as you are constantly being exposed to
new and interesting sounds. I think I have a unique
opportunity here in that sense.
It sounds great , it’s a real pleasure to have you here
we wish the best of luck on the upcoming projects that
you are working on
Thanks so much for having me!
Which labels would you like to work
with in the future?
I would love to release something on Dreamers, or
The Soundgarden. I guess there is a big list of labels that I
would love to work with haha At the same time I feel that I