INTERVIEW: JON LEE

DJing Since 1994 Jon has been establishing himself in the U.S. and Canadian house music scenes and has become a staple in both countries. Back in 1996, He founded Concepts Records, which became one of the front running sources for dance music in the northwest. In that same year, He also helped establish Vinylized, an 18+ club that helped cement him as one of the Northwest’s favorite DJs. After selling Concepts in 1999, Jon along with partner Brent Laurence started Tilted Records, a prominent west coast house label which has over 30 releases by artists such as Wesley Holmes, Dj Ali, Miguel Migs, Marques Wyatt, Julias Papp, Jay J, Da Sunlounge, Andy Clockwork, Pattern Drama, Andromo, Jared Love, Moosefly, David Scuba, and many others. Since then, Jon’s DJ career has been in full swing. He holds a residency at Ocaso Music Festival in Tamarindo Costa Rica, has played Desert Hearts Festival, and traveled recently all over the U.S., Mexico, Ecuador, and Costa Rica for gigs. Jon has been in the studio as of late making some new music with Pattern Drama out of the NY, Hector Moralez, and Simon Houser releasing under their «Lee Houser» moniker. Jon has releases on Da Way, Savia Park, Tilted Records, Kiko Records, Black Bug, Uniting Souls Music, Late Night Munchies, Mexa Records, Hot-N-Heavy Recordings, Proper Slap, Viva! Recordings, Different Attitudes, East Van Digital, King Street Sounds, Street King, Substation Recordings, Nite Grooves, Das Sind Wir, Denied Music, Desert Hearts Records, and Touch Of Class, Manitox, Whore House Records, Get Physical, Cacao Records, and Farris Wheel Recordings.

How would you present your work to someone who doesn’t know you?

I would say that I am a dj and producer of house and techno music

And your last job? Where is it born from? And where do you want to lead?

It’s all about the journey and appreciating every moment.

As for your studio, what is it currently made up of?

My studio is made up of my MacBook, a venice Midas f16 which I use as my interface and to record analog audio. I also have a Prophet 6, a Moog Voyager, and a midicontroller. Those are the things I use most.

What is the one instrument you would never get rid of, no matter what?

I really love the Arturia stuff. Analog lab and The Jupiter 8 plug ins are some of my favorites.

What was the last record store you visited? And what did you salvage from there?

The last record store I visited was Selector Records in Seattle. I went to sell sleeves to them. but didn’t bring anything home with me.

Do you have hope for the future of music? How would you like the future of the music industry to be?

I do have hope for the future of music. I would love to see the underground prevail. Less emphasis on the vanity, excess, and pop culture.

Can you reveal some future projects?

I have upcoming releases on Uniting Souls Music, Pelvic Movements, Late Night Munchies, Piston Recordings, Priroslin Recordings, Feral One, and Black Vinyl Records.

What makes you happy?

Family, friends, Traveling, eating healthy, and Jiu jitsu to name a few.

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