Finding Tommy Jayden [Exclusive Interview]

Finding Tommy Jayden

9/1/2019

How did you first get into music production?
When I was younger, I always listened to Michael Jackson, Hardwell, and Vato Gonzalez. I knew that I wanted to be a DJ from a young age. I bought my first DJ set and played around with it for a few years until I decided to sell my DJ set in order to buy a MacBook with Logic Pro. I was making music almost everyday, getting better and better. Then I came across the "Herman Brood Academie" where people like Martin Garrix and Julian Jordan went to study music. I got accepted and thus followed three years of study. Things really started to happen after starting school there!

I've been a fan of yours ever since hearing "Lush" on Armada Zouk back in 2017. Seeing your sound grow and evolve from future house to big room and now to your signature bass house style has been an absolute treat. Can you walk us through your growth as a producer over the years to where it has gotten today?

Thanks! Cool to hear that. I made a lot of things the first years. The mistake I made was that I kept making stuff that sounded like everything else. My teacher used to say, "You are a good producer but please make something that isn't there already." I couldn't even finish tracks because I was so busy looking for a sound that wasn't already out there. Things changed when I made "Lush." It was something that I could tell was really different so I started developing my sound from there. I think that now, I can finally say that I have my own kind of style!

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A post shared by Tommy Jayden (@tommyjaydenmusic) on Jul 4, 2019 at 9:02am PDT

Tell us more about your track with Dastic, "Find You" which is out now on Future House Music!
Dastic said he really liked my music and asked me if I wanted to do a project with him. I liked his stuff as well so I instantly said yes. I sent him a cool drop idea that he really liked, so I sent over the project files and Dastic started working it out. We sent the project back and forth a few more times until we had the final result that you hear today!

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A post shared by Tommy Jayden (@tommyjaydenmusic) on Apr 20, 2019 at 9:30am PDT

What do you do when you're not in the studio or in the booth?
I have another 3 day-a-week job, but I spend most of my free time in the studio working on new music. I also love to go out with friends on the weekend, and recently, I've been going to the gym a few times per week as well. I used to be a gamer but I'm not anymore. Making music sort of took over that role of a hobby for me!

Can you describe your studio setup and some of your favorite tools to use when making your tracks?
My setup is super simple. Just two KRK's Rokit 6 studio monitors and a Macbook Pro with Logic Pro X. I also have a cool RÃ˜DE studio mic. That's it! There aren't even any studio isolation panels in my bedroom! My favorite studio tool would be Serum which gives you unique and cool sounds.

How do you see your sound evolving in the future?
I think you need to a few samples like claps, kicks, effects, and small fills that you always use in other tracks so that people instantly recognize it's a Tommy Jayden track. Then I try to use new sounds in the drop of every track to keep your tracks refreshing!

What's coming next for you in the second half of 2019? What can we all get excited for?
Lot's of new music is coming and some really cool ADE shows as well!

Thanks so much to Tommy Jayden for taking the time to answer our questions! Be sure to follow him using the links below!