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Seattle’s Uniting Souls Music is widely regarded as a staple of the West Coast’s house music scene. The label has queued up a new Spring compilation, the third in their Equinox Dreams series. The release features new music both from emerging talent, as well as experienced producers, including Jourdan Bordes and Pablo Z, whose stompy house track “State Palace Groove” pays homage to their New Orleans roots. Jourdan Bordes in particular, is on a roll, with new releases also on Toolroom, and Perfecto, the storied label founded by Paul Oakenfold, and currently owned by Tiesto. We had a chat with Jourdan and Pablo, and here’s what they had to share.
Tell us a little about yourself. What first attracted you to the world of electronic music?
Pablo Z: My love for dance music started around 6-7 years old. I’m Born and raised in New Orleans from the 7th Ward Neighborhood and as a kid I was exposed to Funk, Disco, Southern Rock & Reggae. I lived across the street from a record shop on Franklin Ave. By 1980 I officially became a DJ after being enamored with the Hip Hop movement invading New Orleans from New York City and Break dancing. I spent summers with family in the Bronx NY and saw first hand how Hip Hop transformed the city. My love for electronic music came hand in hand in the 80’s with First Electro Funk, New Wave, Miami Bass, music from the Paradise Garage in NYC, Chicago House and Early Detroit Techno. Back then we just played underground and it was a mixture of all the different sounds I was exposed to and educating my crowds with. I started spinning music in many adult clubs as a teenager after many club owners heard my mixtapes. Little by little building a Solid reputation as the outcast party rocker. Spinning in All of the main clubs, galleries and party situations. I Left New Orleans to NYC to follow my path in House and Electronic music. Since then I have lived in Chicago, London, Miami, Newark & Mississippi holding long term Residencies in all of the mentioned cities. I constantly evolve with the times. Today My repertoire is very diverse with over 35 different genres and subgenres based on the foundations of House, Funk, Jazz. I’m now producing and remixing in the digital realm and devoting my time to my Bionic Jazz signature sound with conscious messages about surviving.
Jourdan Bordes: In 2003 , Jourdan ventured to the United Kingdom, where, at the tender age of 22, he secured his first residencies in the enchanting cities of Bristol and Swansea Wales .Fast forward 20 years, and Jourdan has etched his mark on four continents, leaving a trail of unforgettable residencies in his wake. A testament to his remarkable talent, he has held a prestigious 12 year seasonal residency on the breathtaking island of Koh Phangan, nestled in the heart of Thailand. This paradise has become his creative sanctuary, where he weaves sonic tales that resonate with the souls of his devoted listeners.
As a prodigious producer, Jourdan’s artistry has found its way onto some of the world’s most revered labels Most recently , Perfecto Recordings , founded by Paul Oakenfold and now Owned by Tiesto . His musical craftsmanship has graced the catalogues of esteemed imprints such as Toolroom, Particles, Ballroom, Dynamica, Proton, Krafted, Moon Island ,Ah Digital, Phonetic David Lynch Music Foundation (tm music) along with Moby,Peter Gabriel,Iggy Pop , The Beetles and many other legends .
Notably, his work has also found a home on the acclaimed charity label, David Lynch Foundation / TM Music along with the Beatles, Maroon 5, Moby, Iggy Pop, Arrested Development, Tom Waits, and many other legends.
Jourdan’s artistic prowess extends beyond the studio as he embarked on a transcendent two-year world tour with the iconic San Francisco based OM Records as The Southerner from 2007-2009 . Sharing stages with luminaries such as Samantha James, Kaskade, Miguel Migs, Chuck Love, Fred Everything Andy Caldwell and Mark Farina, Jourdan became an integral part of the OM crew, leaving an indelible impression on every dance floor he graced in Hong Kong,Tokyo,Manilla,Taipei,Bulgaria,Australia,Dubai,Mexico,Argentina, and 20 cities in North America.
With an insatiable hunger for new horizons and an unwavering commitment to his craft, Jourdan Bordes continues to traverse the globe, spreading the light and love that resides within him and his music. As he ventures into uncharted territories, his beats resonate deeply, connecting spirit, hearts and minds in a harmonious celebration of the universal language that is dance music.
Do you remember any album or concert that changed everything?
Pablo Z: The Concert : George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic with Louie Vega in Miami. It was stellar. Live Funk with Louie Vega’s mesmerizing Sounds House Live. OMG what a goosebump filled experience. My first long play album : Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack. The Disco vibe is what fueled me into becoming a dj in the first place.
Jourdan Bordes: In 1996 Prodigy released “Phat of the Land ” and this completely changed my life .
Since you got into this professionally, what have you appreciated most nationally, internationally, and what has helped you the most to grow, even to believe in yourself?
Pablo Z: The more I traveled, the more my eclectic pallet was fed. I learned about different cultures and subcultures which advanced my tastes in music and rhythm. I managed to be at the birth of several music scenes and experienced so many creative explosions that inspired my creativity in my show productions and in my dj work. Now as a producer, remixer and songwriter, my creativity is really beginning to bloom. Living in Miami specifically really helped ground me, helped me believe in myself like no other place. I was able to thrive there and be exposed to so much more. My vision as a producer there came back to light. In NYC I really got my feet wet and experienced. The birth of the east coast Rave scene, The first full Golden era of House.
Jourdan Bordes: Nothing connects people like music and this law is true throughout the universe. The peace, love, unity and respect I have witnessed globally is deeper than any church or film.
How did your latest project come about? What is the concept behind it?
Jourdan Bordes: Pablo Z is a great friend of mine and we both grew up dancing at Disco Donnie’s rave’s in New Orleans. Four years ago, he sent me some stems that sat on my desktop for 3 years. While cleaning the clutter from my computer, I found the stems and loved the sounds and groove Pablo created, so we decided to work on a house tune in celebration of our friendship and our early years at the Palace.
And how did it come to be released on Uniting Souls Music?
Pablo Z: My Production partner got it signed through Jordan Strong in LA on Uniting Souls. Cool back story: In 2008 in New Orleans I got a chance to spin with Label Head Ramiro and his Brother Moses and we became friends. In 2010 I went to Miami for WMC and Moses asked me to spin for a UNITING SOULS showcase. After WMC/MMW, I decided to move to Miami. After adjusting and a lot of searching, I finally got a break. From that point, I held long-term Residencies with Moses, DJ Peran from Amsterdam and Brandon Morales, son of David. These guys are all my best friends. My brothers. Anyway, long story short it was signed and to my shock and surprise Ramiro sent me a contract as well, after Jordan told me what was about to happen. This has been one of the greatest surprises of my life. Big thanks and Blessings to Jourdan, Jordan, and Ramiro for believing and the opportunities to come.
As for your studio, what is your setup currently made of?
Jourdan Bordes: I have a very basic studio that consists of a Macbook Pro , an M-Audio midi controller and a benchmark sound card.
Pablo Z: My studio setup is pretty simple and straight forward:
2 Mac Book Pros One from 2009 with a lot of stem work and samples and
the newer one from 2017 with Ableton 11 Suite, Logic Pro, Bitwig and Traktor
Production Trackball Mouse
Pair of Stage Right 8” monitors
One 10” Stage Right Studio Subwoofer
Steinburg UR 22 Sound card
Korg Juno DX-88 Keyboard
Arturia Keylab 49
Ableton Push 1
Akai APC 40
Nextar LX25
Rode N1-A Mic
What’s the one item you’ll never get rid of, no matter what?
Jourdan Bordes: Benchmark 1.0 sound card. Nothing sounds better.
Pablo Z: M-Audio Trigger Finger, Allen & Heath 10FX
2 Customized Peavey Impulse 1015 Crossover’s electronics were replaced with Sovtek Soviet Vacuum tubes. (My Sacrilegious Peaveys) They sound like warm studio monitors at high volume and are 2 of only 4 that exist in the world. They were customized by a Richard Long disciple BOB OWEN.
What was the last record store you visited and what did you buy there?
Jourdan Bordes: Groove Riders LA. Last record was Samantha James “Rise” Eric Kupper Remix
Pablo Z: Gramophone Records in Chicago. Basement Jaxx – Fly Life, Green Velvet – LaLa Land, The Subterraneans – Nights in Tunisia, NuYorican Soul – It’s Alright (alternative mix)
Tell us about other projects which you’re currently working on?
Jourdan Bordes: I am currently working on my 2nd album and in September I will return to Thailand to start my seasonal residencies on the Island of Koh Phangan Thailand (The Ibiza of Asia).
http://linktr.ee/jourdanbordes
Pablo Z: SHADE REPELLANT is a Jazzy Funky Tech House track that a Lot of people can relate to and it calls out Shade. Stay tuned?
Links:
https://www.beatport.com/track/state-palace-groove/18785036
