In conversation with Jay Ho
by Maeve de Bordóns Álvarez
August 15 2023
Jay Ho is a London based DJ of East Asian descent with experience playing in venues around the city such as Corsica Studios, Werkhaus, Brixton Jamm, Cafe 1001 and Colours Hoxton, as well as playing Rise Festival in France. He’s supported DJs such as Dan Shake, Elkka, Mafalda, Space Dimension Controller and Lauer.
His DJ style is a focus on long dynamic blends between tracks, playing genres such as House, Electro, Breaks, Techno and Minimal.
Could you tell us about your background and early musical influences?
“Insert story about a classical upbringing and access to my parents eclectic record collections here” Hahah, jesting aside, I was actually quite a late bloomer when it came to discovering electronic music. Growing up I used to listen to loads of Indie, Pop-Punk, Rock and Metal to be honest (probably not that cool, but I still have a massive appreciation for the melodies and instrumentalism etc).
It wasn’t until I went to University in Leeds and started going out that I was introduced to Disco and House. I quickly became a devout disco fan and started learning all about the classic house and disco records which are such important influences in dance music and I think this was a pretty important basis for my ongoing obsession with electronic music.
The nail in the coffin following that was a trip to Berlin about 7 years ago, which consisted of attendance of a few clubs, but most notably Tresor. In quite a cliché manner I walked away from the city proclaiming I was now a converted Techno fan, and to be fair to my over-excited younger self, the point still stands today. Since then, I’ve been honing my tastes and digging deeper and deeper into the endless pit of different sub-genres and had hours of fun as a result of the process!
When did you start mixing music and what inspired you to start?
I’d been listening to a lot of electronic for a while before I even thought about touching a pair of decks – a few of my friends DJ’d back then (and still do) but I’m not really sure why I wasn’t interested. In that time I’d learnt about and amassed a decent amount of tracks and started becoming knowledgeable about DJs in the scene but the thought of doing it myself didn’t really cross my mind.
Then I went to the first edition of Houghton (2017) and everything changed. Everything about the festival blew my mind – the sound quality of the stages, the storytelling performances, the genres of music I’d not heard before. I think I also heard a couple DJs play some songs I already knew and I was amazed by the way they used them and the relationships they created between records when they were mixing. I got home from Houghton on Monday and immediately ordered a DJ controller off the internet and spent the rest of summer teaching myself how to mix.
What are some of your favourite labels and records that you think everyone should know about?
It would be impossible for me to answer this question without giving Yoyaku (and its many sub-labels) an honorary mention. It was the first House/Minimal label I really properly dived into. Their O.G. imprints like Hostom, YoY, YYY, Aku, O0Joule Imprint etc are all full of classics and endless grooves.
EYA Records is one that is on absolute fire at the moment – they seem to be releasing thick and fast yet the quality of each EP is top drawer. Binh’s Time Passages is another fantastic label that has taken a good chunk of my money, and Nicolas Lutz’ My Own Jupiter is full of unmatched spacey electro goodness. The keen eared digger might spot a couple tracks from these labels in the mix!
There are plenty of other amazing labels I’ve been watching closely but I think I’ll keep those cards close to my chest.
What parties, labels and/or artists are you currently excited about?
I’d say at the minute Art of Dark is probably my favourite party in London – they have a roster of really sick guest DJs and residents who are true diggers and have a big chunk of my respect.
Another party that I’m hyped about at the minute is Fabric’s 24 hour Continuum. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love fabric – their programming continues to be the top of the game and their continuum parties really make for some interesting extended sets. Had some of my favourite dance-floor moments there – a recent highlight being Margaret Dygas’ 6 hour journey in Room 3.
In terms of artists I’m liking at the moment from a producer perspective – I’ve always found it impossible to name favourites but recently I’ve been listening to a lot of records by Eric OS, Man/ipulate, Michelle and Move D’s discography has also been getting a big old revisit!
Keep up with Jay Ho on Instagram and Soundcloud.