A Chat With Bizarre Trax co-founder, Jhobei

Key member of the flourishing Bizarre Trax brand, and a hot topic in terms of productions in recent months, we thought it would be fitting to invite Jhobei to Nightclubber for an insight to everything he has going on at the moment. His recent output has seen him showcase sounds on prestigious labels such as FUSE, Up The Stuss and Gene On Earth’s Limousine Dream to name a few. In the booth he has become synonymous with a funk infused sound, nodding to nostalgic times where house has a warm depth and emotion. This lust for dreamy yet punchy sounds has seen him playing at the likes of Glastonbury, ION Festival, Fabric and much more in recent years. Enough from us, let’s dive in and see what the rising talent had to say for himself…

Hi Jhobei, thanks for joining us today. How has 2024 been for you so far? What have been some highlight moments?

First off, thank you for having me and taking the time to ask these questions. 2024 has been an incredible year, both for me as a solo artist and as part of the Felon5 crew. We’ve traveled more than ever, sharing our sounds in a variety of countries. The standout moments were touring the USA and playing an unforgettable 5-hour set at Le Chant Des Oiseaux in Montpellier, France. That festival was truly magical—one of the most beautiful I’ve ever experienced. It was one of those moments where you step back and think, "I’m really lucky to be doing this". Another highlight would be playing b2b with Enzo Siragusa at The Pickle Factory, part of his London residency back in February. 

Tell us, what were the early days in music looking like for you? What and who inspired you to get into DJing and production? 
My early days in music go back to when I was about 11 or 12. I had a close friend whose dad had turntables set up in a music room, and I was always fascinated by the equipment. Every time I stayed over at their house, I’d beg to mess around with them, even though we had no idea what we were doing. That curiosity eventually led to me figuring out how to use the gear and learning to beatmatch.

I got into production around 14 or 15, mostly inspired by early dubstep. I was heavily influenced by artists like Benga, Coki, Skream, and Rusko and wanted to learn everything I could about how they were making their tracks. This video comes to mind:

I ended up landing on Logic as my DAW and have been using it ever since, though my style has evolved quite a bit since those early days!

Your most recent body of work landed on the FUSE label, how did it feel to release on such a label? You have also been involved playing at their events in recent times, including the London based festival earlier in the year.

FUSE is one of those labels that has done so much for the scene, especially in London. Being asked to send over music for a release was such an honor, and it’s a privilege to now be part of the label’s journey—something I’ll always be grateful to Enzo and the team for. It’s always a great feeling when your music is appreciated, but when it’s recognised by some of the major players in the industry, it really reassures you that you’re on the right path.

As for events, I feel incredibly lucky to be invited to play at FUSE parties. They always deliver top-tier production with an amazing crowd of dedicated ravers, which creates the perfect vibe to share your music.

Is there any deeper meaning behind the name "Age Of Virality"? A sign of the times maybe, and the influence it is having on the industry.

I usually go for tongue-in-cheek names for my tracks and EPs—it just feels natural and lighthearted. But with the FUSE EP, I wanted the title to reflect where I’m at right now. Releasing on a label like FUSE calls for something more considered, something that helps solidify your identity as an artist rather than being overly playful. The title "Age of Virality" is a commentary on the times we live in, where something can blow up, become a trend for 15 minutes, and then quickly fade into obscurity.
‍

Let's talk a bit about tech. How is your studio set up looking at the moment? Anything in particular you really couldn't live without?

My current studio setup is in my bedroom, as I moved out of the shared Bizarre Trax studio earlier this year. I like to keep things fresh, so it's rare for me to use the same synth or drum machine two sessions in a row. If I’m using hardware to create a groove in one session, I’ll probably switch it up with VSTs and samplers in the next. I hate getting bored in the studio—the main focus for me is staying creative and pushing myself to make something interesting.

One thing that’s always consistent, though, is how I process my buses. I’ve been working on and updating a template for the last 5 or 6 years, ever since I really started to understand this side of production. It includes all my compressors, reverbs, distortions, delays, and whatever FX is catching my interest at the moment.

How are things going with your Bizarre Trax label and events? We attended the 5th Birthday at Corsica earlier this year, it was a great one in both rooms. Any release news pending?

Corsica was definitely a great one, glad you enjoyed it! It’s incredible to run a label alongside your closest friends and be truly passionate about what we do. We’re fortunate to have taken the Bizarre Trax brand global, especially during this 5th year, which has been our busiest yet with more club shows and festival takeovers than ever before. On the release front, 005 just dropped and is doing really well, featuring our in-house resident Charleze. 006 is heading to press soon—any guesses on who it might be?

Any other projects and solo plans for you in the coming period? How about with Felon5, is much planned there?

There are plenty of upcoming releases as Jhobei in the works, so it's a busy time right now. I have an EP dropping soon on my friend's NYC-based label, Risk & Reward, featuring a killer remix by Carl Finlow and BIZR006, which will be officially announced soon, along with another remix early next year. I've also got 2 or 3 EPs in the pipeline, though it's a bit too early to share details on those.

On the Felon5 side, we’re about to launch a new self-released label, which we're really excited about. It will feature some standout tracks that made waves over the summer, along with throwback artwork that complements the Felon5 vibe. Keep an eye and ear out for that!

Can you leave us with one track for the after party?

Discover all things Jhobei: Instagram / Soundcloud / Link Tree