Name: JMekka
Age: 31

Interview

What’s up JMekka, so your running a allot labels right now, iBreaks, Vive Music and Party Style (Bootie Label), and some all Spanish labels in the market; NMITY, SELECTA BREAKS, SPANISH BREAKS, DIGITAL BOUNDS, NIB RECORDINGS, NATURAL BREAKS, GROOVE MASTER ..., and now getting back into production, and linked to Zaudio (Breaks distribution company) and pushing iBreaks like a mad man…hows it going?
Well, has been quite a crazy year this 2005, within the music industry. I’d say that multitasking is the word that best define the duties from the last 12 months. Also, breaks as a style, is growing day after day, which means that is much more market to work in, and much more interest from the general public. All these facts allowed me to do a very interesting work for the Breakbeat industry.

The last track out on iBreaks got a 5/5 in iDj and 4/5 in Update mag, how do you feel about this?
I feel really happy about this. I’ve been writing tunes for around 10 years now. Most of my career has been developed under my previous project Sigma 7 in Spain, Now, I am getting back  to the production, and reviews like those ones bring loads of good feelings and makes me focus on this side of the business.

Do you make money from iBreaks, that must be expensive to host free breaks 7 days a week to the entire world?
No, we don’t make money from the station. This is so far a nonprofit organization. The only aim of the station is to expand and push breaks as a music style, and the revenue is not one of our main worries. We have been investing in this project for a bit more than a year now, and as you say, is a bit expensive, but I am sure that all the efforts will have a final reward.

I cant believe that iBreaks is 1 year old! And has taken the title of best internet radio station in the world! How did iBreaks come about?
Well, I wouldn’t go so far, I am glad if people think we’re the best. Is true that our schedule is quite impressive, with some of the BIG NAMES of the international scene. iBreaks came as an idea of pushing the scene as a whole, and that idea came from myself and Zac Mendelsohn, from ZAudio distribution. That was around a year and a half now, and when we spoke about this project, we knew we could do big things within the scene, as we are very well positioned in it.

OK so who idea who wikkid idea was it to do iBreaks the label?
This is one of the things I am most proud of. As an idea was quite straight forward, because having a radio simplify loads of things, and also having the label helps to promote the station. With 6 releases out in the market, people is looking closely already the evolution of iBreaks (label) as the quality of the music we’ve published is top dog. We have already licensed tracks from iBreaks in labels such as Finger Licking, or compilations in places like Tokyo.

So you had 4 albums with your previous band? What was this band and what’s up with it now?
Yes, Sigma 7 was a project that started in 1997, becoming the first Spanish  band to produce breaks. We also opened our label for the band (Seven Records). The success of this band was huge in Spain (actually I am writing this interview in a plane going to Spain for a Retro party where I’ll play some of our hits with Sigma 7). One of the best things of the project itself was that we also pushed the scene in Spain with the label and gave the opportunity to come out to people such as, Peter Paul, Nitro, Kultur, and created a very good and strong team, which finally built the Spanish Breaks Scene.

So your opening shop for apparently soon to be one of the best Breakbeat shops on the market www.breakbeatonline.com opening this 10th Jan, can you please tell us more about this?
Oh yeah…. This is currently the side of the project that is taking most of my time at the moment. This shop was planed at the same time than the station, but obviously the station, needed to be where it is now, before kicking off with the shop. www.breakbeatonline.com will be basically a vinyl/mp3 shop, Breakbeat specialized, and I can tell you now that we’ll open with an impressive catalogue. Our aim is to offer the best service ever for breaks sales, and I am quite confident of achieving this before summer 06

I understand that Rogue Element is really in demand for remixes at the moment, how that hell did you get him to remix a track for iBreaks and how do you feel about this track?
Well, luckily our reputation and position In the market, allow us to collaborate with people such as The Rogue Element. I am really happy about this remix, is amazing to see how people support us, because for me, this is one of the best proofs of the great job we’re doing. By the way, my vote will go with no doubts to The Rogue Element for best new producer  in this year Breaks Poll. This people has smashed it in 2005

How do your feel about your Slyde remix?
Well, this is the easiest question of the interview. I just feel honored about this Remix. This is a Peter Paul remix of the track More Tekila, and I can say with no doubts that is the best iBreaks release so far, with difference. The original is a dance floor killer. First time I listened to the track, I got really shocked. Slyde Remix goes a bit more to the funky side, making of the release a really good peace of vinyl.

Describe your taste in breaks (what kind of breaks do you /play/produce)?
I am quite wide in my taste. Usually I play tech breaks and Breakbeat. In the production side, I cant really define myself… the people that listen to my tracks normally finish saying that I have my own little style… I think you’re gonna have to judge that for yourself.

When did you start to get into breaks and how, seems like you could have been a rock star?
Hehehe… Well I started listening to breaks in its very first variety, which is old school. I started as a raver… I can say that I am  a party man, always loved going out to listen to some good music, and that was what hook me up with the genre… I started listening to those Manix, Rhythm Section, Rat Pack, etc.… and from there to here… still love going out to clubs, and enjoy a 10000 watts sound system hitting my brain.

How did you come out with your DJ name? What does it mean?
This has quite a relation with my real name, which is Javier Meca. You just need to use my forename as an initial and swap the “c” of my surname with a double “k”… and you got it

Where do you buy your records now?
Ooops… thanks god, don’t buy records any more. Is lovely having them for free.

PC or Mac, why?
Well, this one, depends on your pocket. If you can afford it, you should go for Mac (production wise). Is a much more solid hardware, with a much better operative system, which allow you to run a much more professional studio. If you have money issues, you probably will go for PC, as is basically much cheaper. You can still do decent things with it, but normally you have more limitations.

What other residencies do you host/play at…any other weekly/monthly events?
I am not very focused in my DJ side yet. Have been ridiculously busy this last year, and haven’t promoted myself as a DJ very much. Anyhow, I use to go to Spain often to big events and 2006 is starting to look quite interesting to me in this field as the phone is starting to ring In a regular bases. One of the places I am really looking forward to go is Agatha (Rome) next 10 Feb. This club was nominated for the best breaks night in the past Breaks Poll awards.

Where is you favorite place to play so far?
My favorite place was a party I played in Ibiza this summer… The most stunning party I’ve ever been (and trust me I’ve been in a few of them). Was a private party in a house for only 200 people, quite VIP, funny, crazy and intense.

What's the craziest thing that ever happened to you while DJing?
Quite a few of them… As an example I had one time a girl getting naked in front of me, and asking me to sing in her breast, in the middle of the set… That was funny.

Where you once a raver?
I was, and I am still. I have a Raver soul

How many hours/week do you spend mixing/producing?
I’d say around 20 hours a week, I need more time for this, but as you know now, I have many other commitments that doesn’t allow me to dedicate more time to it.

How are your ears now? Are they in good condition?
No, they’re fucked

List some of your favorite Breakbeat producers (past/present):
Manix, Rat Pack, Rhythm section, Meat Katie, Elite Force, and the Plump DJs.

Who is your favorite Breakbeat producer right now and why? Don’t really have favorites… My problem is that I like most of the music out there (all the good 1) and I cant really put one ahead of the others… Also, breaks is in a very healthy moment right now, so, aint got a favorite.

Are there any upcoming collaborations you'd like to let us in on?
I like to speak about plans, when they’re really sorted, in the meantime I rather shut my mouth…

Can you play when you are COMPLETELY wasted?
Yes, don’t have any problem’s… if I can walk I can play

Did you ever go to a music school or take classes to learn an instrument and if so do you think it makes your DJing any better?
I took some music lessons when I was a kid and learned how to play the keyboard (actually started playing Beetles songs in my little Yamaha). That really helped me to understand music.

What do your parents think of your music and did they ever come see you at a gig?
Yes, not only 1… When I was based in Spain the went to several live acts with our band, and they’ve always supported me. Really love my parents…

What are you using in your studio? Any analogue gear or all digital?
At the moment I am writing only with my PC and logic audio.. With all this expenses I haven’t got the chance to put together a proper studio, even though I managed to write some decent tracks, but on top of my list is getting a proper analog studio sorted…

What’s up now for iBreaks and JMekka?
Only 1 thing… Smash it in 2006

Anything to tell us about those hot Spanish Breakbeat girls, since your from there and play there?
Hot girls are everywhere, luckily I have the hottest of all which is the lovely Maria.

Do you have any advice for aspiring DJs?
Yes, practice, practice, practice… and a little bit of… practice

Tell us some words of wisdom that you live by?
I believe in hard work… and is the bottom line for success. Sometimes you need to invest your live with nothing back, only looking to the future…

WWW Links:
http://www.ibreaks.co.uk/biogs/jmekka.htm
www.ibreaks.co.uk
www.breakbeatonline.com

JMekka Bio:
Starting his music career as a producer in Spain , JMekka released his first track in March '98, with his previous project Sigma 7, becoming the first Spanish band to produce Breakbeat live.
Two years later JMekka opened his own label - Seven Records releasing several Sigma 7 records and many other Spanish artists that for the first time have a opportunity of access to the music market.
After achieving the highest success expected within the Spanish market, he moves to London where is based now. In London JMekka starts his new projects opening his new label Vive Music and releasing a couple of titles in the UK under his new artist name.
Now the battle territory has changed, but the expectations are just the same. Here you have another of the artists who supports iBreaks, with his Vive Music Show. You can enjoy from his sets Monday 1 - 3 PM Eastern time. He'll be waiting 4 u.

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INTERNATIONAL BREAKS Coverage:

JMekka

Record Label Affiliations: breakbeatonline, Vive Music, ibreaks.co.uk

Interview Feb. 2006

Interviewed by Somsay.