Jackyboom is fast becoming one of the UK's most enticing DJs

Embarking into the vast darkness of space and time to breathe among the stars has long been a dream for humankind.

But forget Artemis II, London-based DJ Jackyboom is taking you to planets that you didn't know existed. With his multifaceted fusion of house and progressive acid, combined with perceptible, sharp samples from the 90's, it creates a sound that is both hypnotic, trippy and unapologetically unique. 

Otherworldly doesn't even begin to explain the ethereal and unearthly DNA that permeates Jack's material. 

Originally releasing tracks exclusively on Soundcloud, Jack liked to keep his circle small, playing sets to close acquaintances before taking the leap and posting his music on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. 

And that's when the futuristic force of progressive primates pushed Jack into the peripheries of  mainstream, maverick status. Receiving plaudits from the likes of Chris Stussy, Dr Banana, Interplanetary Criminal and more, Jack's sonic nature crafts a specific energy that excels in every situation. 

No one is making rhythms like Jack. One play of his experimental strains sticks with you intently and leaves you daydreaming for something greater, beyond our earthly existence. 

Having recently been interviewed by Sarah Story on Radio 1's Future Dance, exciting developments are clearly in motion.  

A newcomer with endless possibilities at his feet, Official Charts caught up with Jack to give you the insight into everything about the upcoming British DJ, as he comes off the back of his first world tour. 

 

Who is Jackyboom? 

I am a London based music producer and DJ and I make music that's in between house and garage with trippy acid sounds. I started making music about 5 years ago after DJing at house parties and hosting small club nights with friends. In the last 2 years I started sharing some of the remixes and original music I was making on TikTok and Instagram and now I'm DJing and playing gigs internationally.

What is the explanation behind your name? 

Jackyboom was a nickname which came about when I was always the person playing music on a certain bluetooth speaker brand that I won't name. After that I spent a long time trying to think of a cooler DJ name but then Jackyboom accidentally stuck. I really like it now as it feels real and true to me.

Why do you think your unique pattern of rhythms resonates so fondly with the public?

The music I make is what I would want to hear in a club and I have to trust that what I want to hear will also resonate with others. My philosophy is to find one really cool sound and build the whole track around that. For example, my track Space Funk was a weird preset I found on a classic keyboard called the Korg M1, or "I Feel Like Dancing" was 2 beats of an old disco track looped with new drums and a bassline. That's why I think a simple song with texture and character can be as interesting as songs that have catchy melodies.

Do you feel your music imitates nostalgia?

I use a lot of samples that have been around since the 90s and I always want to put my own spin on them. That's why I think my music has that foundation of nostalgia because some of those sounds have been used many times before. I believe there's nothing new under the sun so that's what makes it interesting when you apply your own style to the sounds that already exist.

What cultural material do you tend to absorb that develops your style?

I like to think of my music as a collage as I want to create a mashup of chopped up ideas. If you think of an orchestra, each musician and instrument is organised and has its place working together to build a symphony. My music is on the opposite end of the spectrum where I want to use different and unexpected elements that can sound cool standing alone, but come alive when you put them together. For example, the most fun track I ever made was called "What Are You Doing" where I tried to fit all these crazy and trippy sounds into a huge build up that ends with a happy little keyboard melody. It probably shouldn't have worked but now I love playing that track out.

How has it been touring the world for the first time?

A year ago I set a goal with my music just "to get booked to play in a club (any club)" as I had only DJed for friends before. Now playing international gigs has been an incredible experience because I'm able to share the music that I've made or I think is cool, but also meeting amazing people who share the same interest in this music and scene. A particular highlight was a festival in Cape Town called Pandora where I got to play my first nighttime festival set outside. This was a big moment for me because a lot of the TikToks I used to post had captions like "If I was DJing a festival in the woods with lasers then I'd play this", so that felt like a full circle moment.

If you could pick one artist to collaborate with on a track, who would it be and why?

Fatboy Slim because he was the best ever at creating something iconic from chopping up unexpected samples and I grew up listening to those tracks. Instead of a more technical producer who I'd never be able to imitate, I'd have more to learn from someone with a crazy creative process like that.

For more, check out Jackyboom's material here.