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Northern Lights, Shining Bright: Introducing Jason Cortez.
Reported by Olly Perris
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Submitted 06-04-05 22:51
Although not a name instantly recognizable on the London scene, make the trip north of the border and it's impossible not to come across the name Jason Cortez at some stage. Co-promoter of the hugely successful NuklearPuppy night, Jason has firmly established his place as Scotland's number 1 hard dance DJ. With a new record label, a stream of fantastic new productions and appearances alongside DJ Tiesto & Judge Jules under his belt, Jason has his sights firmly set upon the London scene. You have been warned!
Firstly, you hail from Scotland and help to promote the hugely successful Nuklearpuppy night. For those who haven't heard of this promotion, briefly describe the ethos behind the night, and the names you have had there recently.
Nuklearpuppy started back in 2000, and was for my friends and like minded people who were into harder edged music whether house or trance. I’ve always liked clubs where there is a family feel to it, where everyone knows one another and is there for the right reasons, and that’s to dance and have fun. When it first started I booked DJs for the reason that I liked them and hoped others in the club would too. The first guest we ever booked was Phil Reynolds, it was his first Scottish appearance, and he was immense, and influenced what I now play so much. Its hard to fathom that four years after being blown away by Phil’s music that he would be mentioning my production in an interview on HarderFaster, it truly is such a big pat on the back, making it all worthwhile. Phil was followed up with appearances from Spencer Freeland and Jon Langford before moving to a bigger venue due to the success of the night.
Following the move to the new venue Ego, which we’re still at, Phil York came on board as both resident and co-promoter. In the 3 years at the venue Nuklearpuppy has grown both as a club night in terms of success and reputation, but also musically and in stature within the club scene both in the North and down South. This in turn has seen myself and Phil grow with it. We now tour all over Scotland and are lucky enough to have had a who’s who of hard-dance and trance DJs play for us, from Judge Jules, Lisa Lashes, Anne Savage, Eddie Halliwell, Fergie, Scot Project, BK, Nick Sentience, Paul Maddox, Lee Haslam, Lisa Pin Up, Don Diablo, Ed Real, John OO Fleming, Scott Bond, Hennes & Cold, JFK, the list is endless…
Nuklearpuppy is perhaps the biggest hard dance promotion north of the border, and you have recently started a record label with the same name. What do you have in store for the label, and are there any tunes which you're particularly excited about?
Nuklearpuppy Records is something very personal to both myself and Phil, as it’s an outlet for us to release music that we would want to hear in a club and that we play in clubs, its energetic, euphoric music that makes people want to dance and smile. We’ve had success beyond what we thought we’d achieve with the first 2 releases, with both being featured on compilations, with 'Fuk’d In The Ass’ appearing on the Lashed In The UK album, and ‘Rhythm Beater’ being licensed to Amber D’s mix on the Hard Dance Republic album. With sales of both doing well, the label has had a healthy start, giving a solid base to build on, with the next five releases all, in our opinions, being the best things we’ve done production wise.
Our next release is Phil York’s ‘Danger, Danger’, which features a huge Ingo remix. The original is a hip hop vocal lead hands in the air monster, which just makes you want to dance and smile, with Ingo’s remix on the dirtier techier tip, the package offers something for everyone into the hard stuff. With Lashes and Savage both caning it, we're sure it’s destined for great things. That's followed by my ‘Listen To Me’ track, which is receiving support from Phil Reynolds and Nick Sentience, to name but a few. Again a vocal lead track with an immense break down and driving percussion, Nick Rafferty & The Coalition are on remix duties for this one, turning in a more hard trance sounding version, with lush sounds and some nice effects to the riff, again making it a solid package.
With yet more solo projects and collaborations to come the future's bright, and I’m very pleased to say that we have signed Greg Brookman and Tim Coe’s ‘Anybody, Everybody’. We had intended to have Nuklearpuppy Records for our own productions, but when a record this good comes along and hasn’t been snapped up I had to act. I called Greg up and basically begged to have it, with more begging over a couple of weeks, both Greg and Tim gave in and agreed Nuklearpuppy Records would be the best label for the track, with it coming out in July featuring a Cortez & York remix.
Your production, both solo and in collaboration with Phil York, has seen you have releases on several leading labels including Nukleuz, such as the huge ‘88mph’ which was Nukleuz's biggest selling release of 2004. How did this come about and which engineers have you worked with on these projects?
‘88mph’ came about from my love of 80s films and cult movies. A friend passed on the sample from ‘Back To The Future’ and I immediately had to put it in a track. Before this track I had worked with Ingo on Phil and I’s infamous ‘Bastard Child’ and ‘Flak Jacket’ tracks, and ‘Reality’ on Heat Vinyl. We were in the studio with Nick Rowland and a full on hard trancer then came about with the memorable sample at the centre of it. With it being one of the first tracks I was know for I’d love to now go back and have another go at it, as I feel my production has come along heaps and bounds, so keep your eyes out for ‘88mph’ the Fast Forward To The Past remix. It was followed up by ‘My World’, and my cover version of Bizarre Inc’s ‘Such a Feeling’ on Nukleuz. During this time Phil & I also had ‘Freaks’ on Simon Eve’s Recharge label, which was engineered by Colin Barratt.
You have produced the massive track ‘God’ which has been picked up on by just about everybody lucky enough to have a copy! How did this track come about and when can we see it hit the shelves?
I always like to build my tracks up round a huge riff and recognisable and memorable vocal. This track was no different, laying down all the elements of the track the same I would normally, but every now and again it all just clicks. I’m sure it is every producer's driving ambition to make tracks that captures the imagination of clubber across the country as well as gets support from the leading DJs within the scene. The response over this track has been immense, with some of the leading DJs on the scene picking up on it and loving it, in turn clubbers are being entertained by it. Everybody knows it from the ‘Do we believe in a God’, which in this day and age is a very valid question that transcends above clubbing, and the mad buildup in the break down.
I like watching the crowd when I’m DJing, to see them work with you and what your doing musically, but its nice when your able to through them, do something they don’t expect, and I thought why not do that in a track. So Nick Rowland and I came up with the false build as the track is ready to kick in from the main break down, it throws people, makes them think and look around, then go mental, it’s a wonderful scene. With James Lawson on remix duties, I’m so very excited about this track coming out in June. But the most exciting and unexpected thing about the track is the support from some DJs that I looked up to when getting into the harder music. James Lawson, Phil Reynolds and Nick Sentience have all supported and mentioned it and me in press and interviews, also speaking to me personally about it, and to get support and praise from these guys, whom I hold in such high regard makes it all worthwhile, thank you guys.
Your DJ’ing has recently picked up a lot with you playing abroad as well as headlining several leading hard dance promotions. For the benefit of those who haven’t seen you play, briefly describe your musical style.
Now there’s that dreaded question... with so many genres of music it’s so hard to pigeon hole your self. I like music that is packed with energy and emotion and makes people want to dance and have a good time. I’m influenced by British DJ/producers such as Phil Reynolds, Nick Sentience, James Lawson, BK, Ingo, Paul Maddox, Guyver and Nick Rowland, as well as European guys such as Oliver Klitzing, Benjamin Bates, Don Diablo, Scot Project, E Craig and Marco V. So I’d say I play energetic, euphoric tuff trance and hard dance.
You recently played alongside DJ Tiesto and have also appeared alongside acts such as Judge Jules. How did it feel to be on a line-up with such household names?
It’s an immense buzz playing alongside such huge names, making you think about your set so as to not take anything away from them, after all it’s these guys that people have paid their hard earned cash for. So I try to structure my sets so as to compliment theirs, try to be different but memorable. Playing after Tiesto in Perth, Scotland last month, I decided there was no point in trying to out do the world's number one DJ. He was going to be playing the most up front crowd pleasing trance on the planet, so I went down the more tuff electro style trance, with some techno elements, then building into more driving euphoric stuff. I hope my set complimented his, giving the thousands a memorable night that didn’t die off after the star had gone so to speak.
Having played alongside some of the biggest names and most highly rated up and coming DJs, I go into every gig hoping to entertain, not educate, make people smile and dance and remember my set as something special. I am very greatful to be able to play alongside and support some great DJs, looking forward to each and every gig as if its my first. Being able to do what I do is the best thing in the world, playing alongside the world’s biggest names within our scene is a bonus, but playing at smaller events with local residents is also just as much fun. Let’s be honest, the DJs only play the records, great nights are made by the people dancing to the records.
How does the hard dance scene in Scotland compare with that of England? Have you noticed any differences to how crowds react to certain genres of music?
Having played all across Scotland, in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee and everywhere else, as well as having played in London, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle to name but a few, there are only a few differences. Up North they prefer the tougher more rumbley stuff, more European sounding, still with the big riffs and vocals, but a bit slower. In Scotland they are also more vocal, I think any DJ that has played in Scotland will tell you we're all a bit mad, and aren’t afraid to shout out when we're happy and appreciating what’s being played. Scottish club crowds are more like live gigs, with lots of jumping and shouting and general messiness.
From my experiences playing down South, I find people like the harder faster stuff, more hard housey than tuff and European, huge riffs or dirty grooves are the order of the day. The crowds down South seem more in touch with what records are hot, which producers and remixers are on form and know their records and show their appreciation accordingly. When you play an upfront remix by a hot producer it gets a great response, or dropping an older classic gets a reaction, I think you have to be more on your game and have the most upfront tracks or sound to stand out in England as you are spoiled for choice, and hopefully my sound and tracks will help me do that.
What would be your ultimate DJ’ing aspiration within the UK? Are there any venues/ promotions which you would ideally like to headline?
I’ve never played Ireland or Wales, so I’d love to have a chance to play there, and show what I can do to a different crowd in a different country, where their take on music is slightly different from Scotland or England’s. Venue and promotion wise, well I’ve played most venues and promotions in Scotland, but still want to play main room at the Arches in Glasgow, I hear so many big DJs go on about it and would love to sample the experience. In England, I’d have to select clubs and promotions that I know about from looking at them from miles away. Now I’d love to rock the main rooms of the Fridge and Heaven in London, having been to both, there amazing venues, with electric atmospheres. Obviously promotion wise there are the events that Most Wanted do, Innovate and Twisted, there are the numerous Wildchild and Frantic events across London, and a Lashed event would be nice. I’d also like to sample some of the smaller more intimate events and promotions as well. Out with London, I’d love to rock Polysexual and Sundissential in the Midlands, Slinky in the South, in all honesty I’d like to sample crowds from all across the UK, whether it’s a small promotion or a huge one, it’s about the music and the people listening to it that make a party good.
Do you have any upcoming gigs which you are particularly looking forward to?
We have Yoji Biomehanika playing for us in Scotland at the end of May, I’m a big Yoji fan, as his manager Annabelle will testify, so that will be fun warming up for him. We also have some huge events in April and May in Edinburgh, Inverness and Arbroath, with Lisa lashes, Anne Savage, Fergie, Mistress Barbara & Scot Project all playing for us at some point. Then in June we have our fourth Birthday party, with Lisa Lashes and some other DJs to be confirmed; we’re planning a big party for that one in Edinburgh! I’m also in talks to confirm some Ibiza dates with Extreme Euphoria in July and August, and I’m waiting on dates for a tour of Australia and New Zealand in December with Phil York through Global Panic records. Then hopefully the rest of the year will be as busy as the start.
After producing the biggest selling record on the scene’s leading label,
DJ’ing alongside DJ Tiesto and Judge Jules, playing abroad and forming a successful hard dance promotion, is there anything else you feel you still have yet to achieve in the scene?
Producing many more big selling records for my own label would be nice, I really want Nuklearpuppy Records to be held in high regard alongside Nukleuz, Tidy Trax, Tripoli Trax, Impact Records, Edison factor and Quality Trax. Through the label and my production I hope to play alongside more of the world's finest DJs seeing more of the World as I do. I’d love to play in Japan, South America, Canada and Africa. I want to experience things and places that I wouldn’t if doing a job that wasn’t DJing, something that I love passionately. I want to be happy and provide happiness to others through my music, if I can do both then I’ll have achieved all I need. On a purely egotistical and selfish note I’ve always wanted to perform on Top Of The Pops and have a track ‘Tried & Tested’ by Jules, but there’s plenty of time for that though…
Finally, your disco mash up mixes are becoming somewhat legendary around web forums! How did these come about into existence?
Well I love many types of music, I’m an 80s kid so was brought up on bad music, bad hair cuts, bad clothes and tinned dinners. I find so many clubs are too serious, with the people there just wanting to be seen and be cool, forgetting that clubbing is about having fun and dancing. So I’ve started another promotion, called Disko Kitten with this ideal in mind, funky house, bootlegs, just fun music that makes you smile, there’s nothing serious about it. To publicise the launch of the night I did a series of CDs and mixes online, with the distribution of both getting a little out of hand. It seems that the music policy is perfect for after parties, it’s fun, recognisable and easy listening, and off the back of it I’m now also playing house sets. I’ve always tried to entertain, not educate clubbers, they want to have a good time in clubs, I believe there are only 2 types of music, good music and bad music, I’d like to think I play good stuff, but that’s up to them to decide.
Nuklearpuppy website: www.nuklearpuppy.co.uk
Thanks to Jason for the photos.
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Other Features By Olly Perris:
Addiction @ Hidden preview: interview with Sean Tyas
Interview with Ian H & Matt B of Momentum
Interview with Pierre Pienaar aka P.H.A.T.T.
From a young gun to an industry lion: Heat/HF Xmas Payback(2back) Party preview with Spencer Freeland
Party techno, party music, party animal! The lowdown on hard dance’s newest prodigy, Jamie Taylor
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Darz on 7th Apr 2005 00:32.48
Some very inspiring words, seems quite a down to earth bloke. I've listened to one of the mixes on the Disko Kitten website aswell... nice and cheesey, it's all fun!!!!
From: James Jaye on 7th Apr 2005 10:05.48
Good stuff Jason. I like your work 
From: djmpassos on 7th Apr 2005 18:30.02
jason is gonna be huge. nice interview, awesome answers... danger.. danger.. danger.. 
i play some of his tunes here in brazil and the crowd just go maaad..
love gangsta beats,88mph.. among others...
cheers and lets have some whiskeys.. 
From: Andy T on 8th Apr 2005 07:34.53
Nice work Olly, Keep up the good work Jason Can't wait for God 
From: Krazy Nut on 8th Apr 2005 10:22.32
Very interesting read, and some amazing tracks to look forward too, Great stuff!!!
From: Craig Paxton on 11th Apr 2005 15:51.46
Not bad for a Scotsman..
From: nuklearpuppy on 11th Apr 2005 18:53.02
cheers for the comments there & thanks for the support. I hope to see some of you down your way some times soon
Jason Cortez
From: Nikki S on 13th Apr 2005 04:20.37
Wicked interview Jason! And awesome tunes coming out on Nuklear Puppy! 'God' would have to be the most inspiring & spot on hard dance track this year . . . an that's a top call
Nx
From: Tina Martin on 13th Apr 2005 20:03.53
agree with you there Nicki babe.. been hearing Nick play that recently (last Innovate) and it's immense!!
From: Cally Gage on 19th Apr 2005 14:06.38
Really good interview, great to read.
Was really nice to meet you at Hanky Panky in Sheffield the other month, I think thats what the pink building was called, lol!
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