Page 36 - Zone Magazine Issue 015

feature interview [usa]
Although this producer has burst into the scene very recently, Redux Saints have gained massive support for his work during the last 12 months. LA based DJ/Producer Jason Miller aka Redux Saints has been learning his trade in the USA and in the UK, perfecting his sound to the point where Pete Tong and Kolsch jumped on board and included his recent Boundaries track on BBC Radio One.
He’s one third of the Krafted brand who have been making waves for some time with their releases and events in London. We caught up with Jason whilst in the UK spending time with Toolroom.
Redux Saints is a relatively new persona that you’re known under. Tell us a bit about your background in the music industry?
My first endeavour in the music industry was hosting and Djing yacht parties in Miami during World Music Conference. After several years of performing across the states as Jay Millz I decided to learn music production and create Redux Saints.
In the process of creating Redux Saints I attended ICON Collective and then Toolroom Records Academy music production programs. I also became a partner of Krafted Music Group based out of the UK in early 2016. Krafted Music Group has four sub-labels (Krafted Underground, Krafted Digital, Sounds of Krafted, and Krafted Records) covering a variety of music genres.
Were there any early influences in the dance music scene that have become apparent in your production?
I submerged myself into electronic music after my musical grunge phase in Chicago as an early teen listening to Chicago House Music such as Frankie Knuckles, Derrick Carter, and Eric Morillo.
Around the turn of the millennium I started to listen to the “Annual Summer” from Ministry of Sound and “Northern Exposures” by Sasha and Digweed, and music from Danny Howells and Tiesto. I fell in love with the melodic elements of trance music. It spoke to me in the ability to capture the emotion on the dance floor.
What I’m doing with Redux Saints is merging these influences. Taking my love of melodic elements - filling the frequency spectrum with melodic piano, pads, and synth elements. – and gluing this with the driving, chunky percussion of House and Tech House.
Tell us about your original tracks on this release?
I was listening to a lot of Anjunadeep music when Boundaries EP was created. Hence, progressive style heavily influenced the production of the EP.
The first original track Boundaries I had a vision of a sunset or sunrise.. Boundaries was also reflective of some boundary challenges I was facing with allowing people into my life without setting proper expectations.
Zetta track name originated from the Urban Dictionary. This track show some progressive style elements along with a catchy bassline.
Virus CDEF is the name of the computer virus from one of my favourite movies “Office Space. This track was the first track I created post graduation of ICON Collective so it has a special meaning to me.
There’s been some significant support for
your releases as Redux Saints, how has that felt for you as an artist?
It is humbling when you see artists you admire supporting your work. With each new track as Redux Saints I look to set the bar higher.
We’ve had great support from producers like Fat Boy Slim, Pete Tong, Kolsch, Roger Sanchez, David Penn, Miguel Bastida, Enzo Siffredi, Danny Tenaglia, Yotto, Eelke Kleijn, Tiesto and many more.
Your latest release ‘Boundaries’ includes remixes from D Ramirez, Made By Pete and MINTZ. Talk us through the planning of the overall EP and how you decided who would be the best fit for the release?
To have these three remixes for Boundaries EP is something special that I really must thank Concrete Promotions for organizing for me. Not only were all three brilliant, but brought depth to the EP. I couldn’t ask for better remixes across the music genre spectrum.
MINTZ had a brilliant remix on my first single called “Take Me With You”, so MINTZ was a no brainer for this project. They brought a good deep minimal vibe to the EP.
Made By Pete’s recent releases have been hitting the charts and he is one of the easiest producers to work with. He hit the nail on the head with bringing my vision to of a ibizia sunrise/sunset.
D. Ramirez is a legend and all around terrific guy and did a great job on the remix. I recall the first time listening to it and saying to myself – “Now that is a remix!”. I recently got the honour to work directly with him and was blown away at his creativity.