Interview with Jordan Suckley
Hey hey, a very warm welcome to you Mr. Jordan Suckley :) from the Trance Hub team. Finally I get the chance to sit down and have a proper chat with you (squeals with excitement). Thank you for giving us this opportunity.
So, how are you doing and how’s the weather up in the UK?
I am great thanks, just got back from a crazy weekend away playing two big shows in Manchester and one in Scotland! The weather, as always, is dreadful over here! :)
Before we start can you tell us a little more about yourself, on a non musical front? Where did you grow up and where do you currently reside?
I was born in Liverpool, lived there until I was 11, then moved to Ellesmere Port, which is by Chester. I went to Swansea University for 4 years and lived down there during my studies. Now I live back in Ellesmere Port again!
Jordan, we all know that you are a DJ/producer but when did it all start for you and when did you know that music was the right career path for you?
I have always liked dance music since a very young age, but the turning point for me was probably after I watched ‘Kevin & Perry’ the movie, which made me want to become a DJ!
What has been the biggest challenge that you have faced in the industry and how did you overcome it to get to where you are today? Any lessons learnt you can share with upcoming DJs/producers?
The biggest challenge is to stand out! The only way to do this, is dedicate 100% of your life to what you love, and the rest will follow naturally! One of the most important lessons I have learnt is to surround yourself with positive people and distance yourself from any negative people! Positive mind = positive results!
You started producing tracks 2 years ago. What made you want to start producing tracks and what was the transition from DJing to producing like?
I got signed to my agency because they liked me as a DJ, but shortly after I got signed, we all decided for me to take things up a gear, I needed to start producing. So it was more of a collective decision with my management!
Can tell us a little about your debut production, what was it like producing it and what was the inspiration behind it as well as what sort of reactions did you receive from crowds, fans and other DJs?
My first production was pretty bad as you can probably imagine, but we all need to start somewhere! I see my older tracks as stepping stones helping me progress each time!
Your latest release "Latvian Sun" is definitely a summer anthem (one of my favourites) and did some massive damage on the charts. What inspired this track and how long did it take to produce it?
Thanks very much! I made this track during early summer time, as I wanted something I could play during my summer sets. I got the name "Latvian Sun" from when I was on the top deck of The Monday Bar Cruise ship, where I was DJing and we were going past Latvia and the Sun was shining, so I wanted to keep that memory!
Typically how long does it take to produce a track for you and where do you draw you inspirations from?
Can be anything from 1 day to 2 weeks, going back to it every few days with fresh ears, it all depends on how crazy an idea I have! I get inspiration from many different places, sometimes I just open the production software and make it up as I go along, other times I get inspired by what I hear in the clubs and seeing the reactions from certain sounds or tracks. For example, hearing a unique bass line and seeing the crowd go wild, will inspire me to go to the studio and come up with something like that.
The dance scene can be quite a tough one to crack, and its known that you incorporate a lot of different genres in your sets from tech trance to trance to progressive house. How did your first big break both as a producer and a DJ come about and do you think that it was instrumental in paving the way for you to succeed?
My first break came when I won a DJ competition when I was 18 and the prize was playing at Cream in Liverpool. Following that I played some smaller clubs, then one day, my friend was DJing with Eddie Halliwell in Bristol. I gave a demo mix to the promoter, then a few days he called saying he loved my mix and wanted to book me for a Gatecrasher tour in Wales for NYE. I played for numerous Gatecrasher and Godskitchen tours in Wales and Bristol for a year, which lead on to me playing lot of other gigs across the UK and Ireland. Then in 2009, my agency had been keeping an eye on my progress and signed me up. As soon as I got signed, there was an instant change and I started to play all over and feature on lots of great line ups with DJs I looked up to! Also I have always loved trance music, even before I became a DJ and still do now, so not too much has changed on that front! :)
This year you’ve had numerous releases and you also had the opportunity to remix Gareth Emery’s "Global". How was this experience for you and how did this opportunity make you feel?
I was extremely happy when Gareth asked me to remix for him! I was playing at Planet Love Festival last year with Armin, Above & Beyond, Dash Berlin and Emery. I was on the same flight over with Gaz and we just got talking, he said he was liking my music and would I be interested in remixing a track for his upcoming album. I think that remix just came about by a case of right place, right time! :)
As a producer you’ve produced both vocal and non-vocal tracks. Which do you prefer producing and what are the challenges of producing a vocal track as well as the challenges of producing non-vocal?
I enjoy producing both, but I think if you can find a great vocal it can add something special to a track that a non-vocal track cannot achieve. The only difficulty is finding a good vocalist for the track you have, because some times you get sent a vocal, which does not suit the vibes of your track!
How do you go about naming your tracks? I quite like the track name "23!". Is there a story behind it?
I like my track names to have some meaning of what is happening in my life at the time they are produced. For example the track "23!" was named because I see the number 23 absolutely everywhere every single day, a little bit spooky, but I love it! :)
If you were given the opportunity to work with any producer as well as to collaborate with any vocalist who would it be and why?
I would love to do collaborations with Sander van Doorn, Armin van Buuren, Simon Patterson, Eric Prydz, John O’Callaghan, Gareth Emery and loads of others, because I love their sound! Two producers not related to trance I would like to work with would be Deadmau5 and Skrillex!
For vocalists, I don’t have anyone specific in mind I would like to work with, I would just love to work with someone who has real emotion in their voice when they sing, maybe like the new singer Delilah? She is outstanding, check out her track "GO" on YouTube!!
DJ Mag top 100 was just released, what are your views on the top 100? Also Simon Patterson named you as his break through act do you agree with this statement? (hehe I had to)
The top 100 these days sadly, is full of people cheating, some people even cheat to get in the top 150 which is a real shame! A DJ should be judged on how many gigs they have, the music they release and what they get paid, as that is more of a realistic idea of their position. Everything else is fabricated, just like people cheating in the polls! Of course there are still people in the DJ Mag poll from their own merit, but generally the poll is plagued with cheating!
Also I am very thankful for Simon giving me a mention this year, he is a great guy and has been very supportive! I have some exciting tours coming up with him next year!! :)
I know I’ve watched 100 YouTube videos of you DJing. And it’s so easy to see the passion, love and commitment you have for DJing it’s visible in the energy you put out. In my opinion your style is very similar to Eddie Halliwell’s style, do you plan your sets beforehand (track wise / action wise / dance moves)? I’m pretty sure you practice DJing in front of the mirror, do you?
Thanks very much, I do love the technical side of DJing and I am very enthusiastic about learning new equipment, this is how I got signed to my DJ Agency originally!
Haha I don’t practice in front of a mirror no, although I was at University for 4 years and had a lot of spare time, this is where I learnt how to scratch and use FX!
Also I never plan my sets as I change my mind what I am going to play too often, I usually just think in my head before hand, I will try play this new track tonight for example, but apart from that, I like to play my sets based on the vibes on the night!
As mentioned above you are very diverse when it comes to DJing. What 3 tracks are a staple in your "DJ Bag" at present and why?
"W&W – Impact (Marlo Remix)" The drop on this track has been doing the damage in my sets, it’s a real club banger!
"Simon Patterson – Mood Swing (Original Mix)" The emotion in the break down you can’t put in to words!
"Jordan Suckley – 23! (Original Mix)" The track of mine I get asked to play the most when I DJ in different places!
It’s a known fact that you LOVE scratching and you’re quite quick with your hands. How did you manage to perfect this skill?
I just practiced a lot during my University years rather than studying. :) Although scratching is very much about co-ordination, and some people can pick it up, whilst others really struggle too.
Quite a geeky question, but for all those aspiring DJs/producers out there can you take us through what your current studio set up. What does it consist of and what pieces of equipment/software would you say are most essential?
My DJ setup is, Pioneer Mixer, Pioneer EFX1000, 3 CDJs, Traktor and X1 controller.
My studio is a 27" iMac, Logic 8, Mackie speakers and I use synths such as Sylenth, Massive, ES2 and Zebra.
The most essential piece of equipment has got to be my iMac, I love it!!
You’ve had the opportunity to play all over the world? In your opinion which was the best country? And where else would you love to play? ;)
There are so many great places it’s hard to pick one! I played in the Mountains at a Villa party outside to the sunset, with heart shaped fireworks going off in the background with loads of crazy clubbers going wild, that was pretty magical.
I recently started a residency for InsideOut in Scotland, and the clubbers up there are notoriously crazy! They are so vocal and appreciate the music so much, its a real buzz playing up there!
Also I think the crowd in Sydney have been one of my favourites as well.
Too many to pick from! :)
I love travelling and want to play everywhere, and I am very happy that next year I will be heading to places such as Mongolia, Bali, Argentina, USA, India, Seattle, Hawaii, Australia, Sweden, Poland, Malta and loads of other places!
You’ve also played at many major festivals. Which one was the most memorable and why? Who would you pick to play a b2b set with?
My favourite festival experience was playing at Creamfields the other year. I had played in Ireland the night before with Eddie Halliwell and John O’Callaghan, then we all flew over to Creamfields on a Private Jet and our Jet landed next to David Guetta’s, it was crazy! Playing at Creamfields itself as well was such a great experience and something I had wanted to do for quite some time!
I played b2b with Simon Patterson in Australia not long ago, that was great fun! I would also like to play b2b with Sander van Doorn, Eddie Halliwell, Gareth Emery and Armin van Buuren.
You recently toured Australia with Simon Patterson what was the highlight of the tour and would you go back to DJ there?
The whole experience was a dream come true, when I got the phone call from my manager to say I had been booked to play a 4 City tour with Simon Patterson I was ecstatic! The best experience of the tour for me was in Sydney, check this video from the night…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMFHQxmELqM
I will be back in Australia very soon! :)
What can gans look forward to in terms of all things Jordan Suckley for the upcoming year: Give us the low down on upcoming new tracks, a studio album maybe, gigs and any new residency’s? ;)
I have some collabs coming up with John O’Callaghan, TyDi, Binary Finary, Ernesto & Bastian and some other secret projects! Also I am mixing my first compilation! I will have some new singles coming out on Spinnin and Simon Patterson’s Night Vision label, and also have started work on my debut album! Gigs wise, I will be playing all over the place next year, I think it’s going to be a year to remember!
Rapid fire questions:
1. When you are not doing music what can u be found doing? I don’t do anything else to be honest… I go round to my friend Kutski’s house now and then, drink vodka and play on new DJ gadgets. Apart form that, it’s just music music music at my house all the time! :)
2. 3 things you absolutely can’t live without? iPhone to listen to music on my travels, Nurofen, Positive mentality!
3. One thing your fans don’t know about you? I studied Business Studies and Marketing at Swansea University for 4 years before I became a DJ!
4. Your favourite item of clothing and favourite scent… Leotard, Diesel
5. 3 things you would like to change about yourself (physical or personality wise) Would love 2 extra arms so I can work faster / Ability to fly and wish I never had to sleep or got tired!
6. Most embarrassing moment? Don’t get embarrassed too often really, but maybe getting taken to the wrong club I was supposed to be playing at one time by the driver?
7. One for all your adoring female fans – blondes or brunettes? Both! :)
8. Best hangover cure? More Beer or Nurofen
9. Naughtiest and nicest thing you’ve ever done Naughtiest: Putting Glue in the White Paint in School; Nicest: Telling people at school to use the White paint
10. If you weren’t a DJ/producer you’d be a… Art Teacher
11. Lastly, does DJing help with the girls? :P Sometimes I guess :)
Thank you Jordan for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer our questions. It’s been an absolute pleasure. Hope you enjoyed answering the questions. :) I’m already looking forward to catching up with you in the future. Stay out of trouble till then and we wish you all the best for your upcoming gigs and productions. To end of, do you have any final words for your fans and the Trance Hubbers out there?
Thanks very much, I hope to see you all very soon! :)
Jordan x
For more info related to Jordan Suckley check out the following links:
www.jordansuckley.co.uk
www.twitter.com/jordansuckley
www.facebook.com/pages/Jordan-Suckley/143352292364314
www.myspace.com/jordansuckley
Written by: Yasmin
