Jonas Blue

Jonas Blue

The 27 year old DJ and songwriter, Jonas Blue, opens up to Smoke Mag over his recent hit single “By Your Side” and how he was inspired to pursue a career in music.

Why did you choose the name Jonas Blue? As it’s not your real name.

No, it’s not. I chose that name because the music that I was making at the time was very different to what I make now as Jonas Blue. I knew I needed a new name. So as a DJ, a lot of the music that they were making was coming so I thought “why not a Swedish name?”

How did you get into music?

I didn’t go to high school and my friend at the time made it very clear that playing musical instruments was terrible and very uncool, so I stopped that. Luckily enough i’ve learnt how to play them. At the same time, I was watching this programme called Club 18- 30, which was based on the bad side of Ibiza- but I didn’t know it at that time. Ibiza to me was just amazing. I became a DJ due to watching that programme, with people like David Guetta, David Morales and Carl Cox.

What is the secret behind each of your singles being a hit?

The way I make my music is like the way classy songwriters writes a song - it comes from my background as a musician. I know most dance guys sit at the computer, programming stuff. For me, I sit at the piano and I start playing and whatever feels right, I start with a cool melody. I then save the concepts of the lyrics or stories.

Your first big single was your own version of Fast Car, why did you choose this song?

Originally I picked that song because it was my mum’s favorite song when I was really young. I was born in 1989 and the original song came out in 1988 so I remember it always being played. It was always something that I had wanted to remix, as the original is way too slow for my music so I made it my own.

My grandma asked me for an autograph”

What did your mum think of it?

Thankfully, she loved it, which means that I didn’t ruin it. I don’t feel like I remixed it, I feel as if I took what Tracy Chapman did and brought it into this century.

I took what Tracy Chapman did and brought it into this century”

What is the message behind your latest hit single, By Your Side?

For me, it was about sharing a moment in the crowd with a special person. The song was written with passion, as if you’ve just met the perfect partner and you feel content with the world.

You’ve been nominated as “Best Breakthrough Artist” at the EMA’s 2016, how did that feel?

Amazing. This is all happening in less than a year, it’s crazy. I met Justin Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun in August 2015 before I made Fast Car and we had this chat about Justin Bieber on stage. Last week he messaged me on Twitter saying how unbelievable it was that I’ve been nominated for an EMA.

I sit at the piano and I start playing whatever feels right"

Do you feel surprised when people ask you for pictures?

Yeah, my grandma asked me for an autograph (laughs). That’s when I thought it was a bit weird, it still is. I was just in the studio playing music to myself last year and now I’m touring around the world.

You’ve just announced a headline gig at Ministry of Sound in January. How does it feel to play in such an iconic venue in your home country?

I played V-Festival and for me that was speechless because you always have that different feeling when you play in your own country. Playing the Ministry, it’s the Mecca, the Holy Grail. To be headlining after going for so many years for just the parties. I don’t really know what to say. I still cannot believe it.

When you’re on the road, what is the one item you always bring with you?

A pillow. I stole it from a hotel and it’s the perfect shape because it fits in my suitcase. It’s a duck feather pillow and I love it. I would also pick my laptop.

Is there any artist you would love to collaborate with?

I met Katy Perry last week, collaborating with her could be fun, she’s amazing! I’d also love to work with Cavin Harris too.