Volume 29: Jason Rockwell

This next funky Progressive House minimix has been done by Jason Rockwell, formerly Jason 47 and a past favourite of ours here at MTTM!

This mix has been done to showcase his new style of music he is going to be pushing this coming summer and at the first of his I Love Dance events he will be throwing down.

The first edition will be taking place at Babbaloos in Tableview on the 11th December 2010.

Find about some more about Jason Rockwell and his new sound?

Read on below!

MTTM: We at MTTM have personally been witness to the legend that was Jason 47, which now feels like many years ago! Why the name change?

Rockwell: Yes it feels like a lifetime ago! Those were really fun times it was a great experience being able to be a DJ in that era of the clubbing scene. The name Jason47 became synonomous with Hard Dance or hard music in general so when I changed music styles I reverted back to a name I used to DJ under when I played at house or funk clubs. I actually played as many funky gigs as I did hard, although at the time the hard music was my passion and I'd achieved the most under that alias. So now I use Jason Rockwell or just 'Rockwell'. Its like starting from scratch again but I dont mind as its more for fun now and the love of it whereas back then it was my career and only source of income. Full time DJ and party promoter.

MTTM: What sort of music you going to be playing as Jason Rockwell?

Rockwell: Rockwell is all about playing the genres that I love now which includes mainly Progressive, Tech and House. Im also doing Psytrance mixes for an online radio show but I'm not going to go out of my way to be a Psytrance DJ as I love the music but that lifestyle is not for me anymore.

MTTM: What sort of gear you got laying about? What do you use for your mixes?

Rockwell: I own a set of Pioneer CDJ350's and DJM350 mixer which is a new product launched by Pioneer a few months ago. I love them, I wish I could take them everywhere! They utilize Pioneers new DJ software called Rekordbox (anyone can download it and use it) which when using to organize your music makes life loads easier when exporting to a flash stick and popping then into my CDJ350's. I record all my mixes live while recording straight to USB on the DJM350.

MTTM: Tell us about your dream set up?

Rockwell: I would LOVE to have a set of CDJ2000. Theres nothing else like them. Throw in an Apple Mac and some KRK Expose monitors and a Nord Lead and I'd be a happy man

MTTM: Any plans to get into production? If yes, then what production software are you finding best and any hardware to supplement it?

Rockwell: I've actually dabbled in a bit of production over the years, started in 2001 with Acid Sound Factory and made some really cool hard tunes that myself and a few of my fellow djs used to play out a lot. I even had a tune on 5FM which Derek the Bandit pushed for me which was great. I must admit I've been very lazy to not take it more seriously. I've owned and sold studio gear over and over again. Now that I have access to all the gear I want I'm itching to get back into it 100% and get something out there. Cubase is definitely the software for me as I find it easier to understand and work with.

MTTM: Tell us more about this I Love Dance event, who else is playing, what can we expect soundwise etc etc?

Rockwell: The I LOVE DANCE - Summer Sound System event is basically a party that I put together where people can come and have a really cool time with their friends, party it up and hear some good HAPPY music. We are putting some major effort in with lighting and decor to make the venue look and feel different and my aim is to creative a people friendly environment so we can all have a good time. I want to completely remove the 'serious' element of clubbing and hopefully get people to let loose and stomp away on the dance floor.

MTTM: Any future events you planning on doing? Anything for NYE?

Rockwell: We currently have our Sundowner Sessions vibe every Friday, Saturday and Sunday (my favourite) so we will be doing a NYE Sundowner Session from about 8pm till about 3am. The great thing about this venue is that its close to home, right on the beach and the vibe is fantastic. I recommend everyone to come and check it out on a Sunday afternoon from 3:30 onwards. I also am playing another I LOVE DANCE event for Jan/Feb next year but want to first make sure everything runs smoothly with this first one. I hope to see you all there!

MTTM: Lastly we would just like to hear some of your thoughts on the current Cape Town clubbing scene since you've been invloved for so long!

Rockwell: I think its an exciting time in the Cape Town clubbing scene as there seem to be an influx of international artists visiting us each month with some really big branded events. People are getting more exposed to music genres that used to be the 'underground' sound and are now all over the radio. Progressive, techno and house have all come a long way and people are more open to the music which is very cool.

More small clubs are popping up all the time which is great for DJ's because it means more gigs, more exposure and more experience playing to different crowds. Neon is back in again, hard music is almost long forgotten and things have come full circle so its a great time for new DJ's to get out there.

Minimixtothemax128kpbs by jasonrockwell