Jimmy Clash on "Forever" and "Never Wanna Let You Go" [Exclusive Interview]

Jimmy Clash on "Forever" and "Never Wanna Let You Go"

11/27/2019

Congratulations on your latest song with Kill The Buzz and Van Jay called "Never Wanna Let You Go!" Can you walk us through the creation process and how the whole project came together?
First of all, thank you very much! I'm really happy with the release and collaboration with Kill the Buzz. We always had the ambition to work together on a track. 'Never Wanna Let You Go' is that track. When I received the topline from the singer Van Jay I started to work on the song; creating the chords, adding the drums etc. The moment I was satisfied with the draft, I sent it to Kill the Buzz. He finished the song, and eventually the track came out on Nicky Romero's label Protocol Recordings.

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A post shared by Jimmy Clash (@jimmyclashmusic) on Sep 10, 2019 at 9:54am PDT

Some of our favorite songs by you include "Walk Away," "Third Eye," and "Palavra." How did you go about crafting this unique sound and do you have plans to continue including it as part of your signature style going into the future?
Since there are multiple requirements for a big room track, it's very hard to create a unique sound in the Big Room genre. For the tracks mentioned in the question above I came up with a sort of Mediterranean sounding vocal lead as the main sound for the drop, followed by Jamaican vocal shouts as a variation. Rare combination, but it was surprisingly effective. I'm planning to produce more records like this, since this sound is working very well on the dancefloor at the minute.

When you were on your own personal journey through learning about production, which tools and resources did you find most helpful to get to the skill level that you're at today?
When I started producing at the age of 12, there were not a lot of music production tutorials to find online. Most of the things I've figured out myself. It's the most effective to recreate existing tracks. This way you'll learn the most. Nowadays there are tons of helpful guides and YouTube tutorials on the internet, and I have to admit that I still watch these videos. I learn new things every day. That's what keeps making music interesting and exciting.

Networking is undoubtedly the best skill for any producer or DJ to master after they've established a foundation for their art. What are some of the best practices for reaching out for collaborations or feedback without approaching "spam" territory?
Luckily, I live in Holland. A huge percentage of professional DJ's are Dutch. Many big labels are based here, and there are events like Amsterdam Dance Event and Dancefair. It's easier to reach out to the DJ's or managements when you know the right people. If the music you're putting out is good, you will stand out and the right people will eventually notice you. So, the first step is making outstanding tracks. Quality over quantity.

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A post shared by Jimmy Clash (@jimmyclashmusic) on Apr 4, 2018 at 8:52am PDT

As someone who produces in multiple styles and genres - what do you think is the most important elements to put into a song so that it defies current trends to stand its own ground in this saturated landscape?
The most important thing is trying to process a certain signature in every track. As I mentioned earlier in the interview I, for example, mixed up 'a sort of Mediterranean sounding vocal lead as main sound in the drop, with Jamaican vocal shouts as variation'. A helpful tip is to save all the samples you've used in a certain project in a folder and use these samples in a new track. This way you're creating your ''own sound''.

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A post shared by Jimmy Clash (@jimmyclashmusic) on Nov 21, 2019 at 1:02pm PST

What are some personal goals that you've set for yourself going into 2020 and beyond?
Of course, I have a lot of goals I'd like to achieve in 2020; such as better music, more shows, bigger stages. But the thing the most matter for me is to make people happy. It sounds cheesy, but this the reason why I started this. If I'm looking into the crowd and I see people with flags and boards with my name and face on it, that's a motivation that I have to keep doing what I'm doing.

Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with us! Is there anything else you'd like to say in closing before we end this interview?
My new song 'Forever' together with South Korean DJ/Producer Vanto and Swedish singer Maria Mathea has just been released. I'm really excited about this track. The vocals are super catchy, and the progressive drop is really energetic. You should definitely check that record out! Furthermore, I finished a lot of new songs, collabs etc. which are coming over the next few months. The future is looking bright, and I'm super excited!

Thanks so much to Jimmy Clash for taking the time to answer our interview questions! Be sure to follow him using the links below!