Jesusdapnk is a deep house producer and DJ based in San Diego, California. Known for his atmospheric soundscapes, deep basslines, and intricate rhythms, his music blends influences from jazz, funk, and soul. Active for several years, he has released numerous successful tracks and EPs on labels like Robsoul, Nurvous Records, and Too Many Rules.
His work has earned support from notable artists such as Simon Dunmore and Disclosure. Additionally, he founded the Deep House label Good Luck Penny and has performed at various international festivals and events, consistently pushing the boundaries of deep house music.
His debut album Summer Heartstrings – an eight track collection of heady grooves, mesmerising vocals and intoxicating atmospherics – is out now on Brobot, the respected US record label founded in 2013 by DJ and Record Producer Junior Sanchez.
As someone who integrates jazz into your deep house tracks, can you tell us about your first encounter with jazz and how it influenced your music journey?
Jazz has always been a big influence in my life. I credit my parents for raising me in a musical environment. My dad is a big collector of records, specifically classical rock, soul, jazz, funk, and disco from all eras. Jazz is the fundamental genre for most musical genres today.
When I was eight years old, I started to enjoy playing the drums, and most of the music I practiced drumming to was soulful jazz. Smooth, calm music allowed me to learn jazz at a young age. The techniques I learned in jazz drumming are something I incorporate to this day when I play drums and even in the music I make and release. You can always analyze how jazz inspired my music, specifically in the diverse and spontaneous drum style, soulful deep chords, and smooth grooving basslines. There is nothing sexier than the jazz touch in life.
“Summer Heartstrings” has a unique blend of electronic and organic sounds. What instruments or tools did you experiment with for the first time in this album?
For the Summer Heartstrings album, I usually stuck to my regular process of making music. I either work at home and start a draft of an idea using my TR8, MC303, Akai XR20, and JDxi, and see if I can draft up or vibe into a project. When I can’t vibe or have ideas in my home studio, I usually go to my local brewery and take my Akai Mini Mk3 to just jam with some digital synth plugins, such as Sylenth 1, Ultrabeat, Alchemy, Logic’s Multi Sampler, and more, and see what I can create alongside an ice-cold beer.
I think it’s important to experiment with the settings in which you make music. Sometimes being in a studio or an enclosed room can limit the vibes and mindset. Being mobile and using accessible music tools that let you make music anywhere, such as a coffee shop or, in my preference, a brewery, can keep the ideas flowing. At least to get a blueprint of a musical project, and then you can incorporate musical hardware over what you make while mobile.
In the album, I used a variety of instruments, such as the hardware and digital plugins I mentioned. For melodies and chords, I often try to stick to hardware; for chopping or flipping samples, I sometimes use Logic’s sampler. It really depends on my vibe and mindset when I make music, as well as the vibe of the track while it’s in process.
You’ve been a prominent figure in the deep house scene for years. What do you see as the most significant changes in the genre since you started, and how have they impacted your work?
A significant change in deep house music since I started making music is that it has become more commercial at times. But with that being said, there are still a lot of gems to be found in deep house music. Often, when I check for new deep house music on Beatport or Traxsource before a gig, I notice that many of the tracks now are more clubby and lack the feeling of true deep house. Another thing I notice is that many tracks sound similar now, which tells me that many deep house producers depend on pre-made loop material such as drums or chord melodies.
A good deep house track will always stand out to me, so I really dig deep for music to play, especially new releases. That’s always a goal of mine with my music: to always sound and be unique, stand out from the rest, and truly showcase that Jesusdapnk sound.
The album title “Summer Heartstrings” evokes strong seasonal and emotional imagery. Can you describe a specific memory or feeling from this summer that inspired a track on the album?
Summer is one of my favorite times of the year. For me, there’s nothing better than being in a season made to relax, vacation, and hopefully enjoy life. People sometimes seem to be in a better mood in summer, especially on summer nights when the weather is nice and the sun sets later, particularly in my hometown of Chula Vista. The album Summer Heartstrings is made to relax, mingle, lounge, be on a date, and still be able to dance. It’s an album made for all occasions, especially love. There’s nothing better than a hot summer full of relaxation and love, which inspired me to name the album Summer Heartstrings. The album is designed to fit any summer day or night or even bring summer vibes any time of year.
Your music has been supported by notable artists like Disclosure and Mark Farina. How has their support influenced your career and your approach to music production?
To be honest, I never expect to have my music supported. I don’t really make my music with a goal in mind; I just express myself and see where it goes. Seeing Mark Farina play multiple tracks of mine in various Defected mixes he did really made my heart drop. I was so happy and excited and just didn’t know what to think. Seeing Disclosure put “Mas Devino” in their Record Bag playlist was also amazing and inspiring. I never thought these tracks would gain much traction since I produce with no specific goals in mind. As I’ve stated in past interviews, I have to give a shoutout to Gaston and James Juke for putting that track on Disclosure’s radar. My musical career always gets a boost of happiness when I see my work supported or featured. But the only thing that really keeps me going is my mindset as I just continue to express myself. It’s always a journey with music, and I never know where it will take me. Hopefully, it takes me somewhere positive in life or leads to success. Only time, my skillset, and dedication will ultimately tell.
“Summer Heartstrings” seems to tell a story. Can you share the narrative you envisioned for this album and how you structured the tracks to convey it?
I’ve always been captivated by music that feels cinematic, where each track weaves together to tell a story or play out like a movie. I appreciate albums that you can listen to from start to finish without interruption, as they offer a more immersive and memorable experience. Artists who strive to create a cohesive album, where every track flows together with a consistent vibe, stand out to me. I’ve always vowed that if I ever released an album, it would be something memorable that represents my musical identity fully. For me, an album is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a significant milestone and an artistic achievement, a testament to one’s talent and creativity. The creation process for my album was extensive, spanning two to four years. Some tracks were initiated during the pandemic, undergoing numerous revisions, reworkings, and remixes. Other tracks were created more recently. Once I had a selection of tracks with a similar warm, groovy, smooth, funky, and deep vibe, I started arranging them in a cinematic format. The album begins with a smooth groove, setting the tone for what’s to come. From there, it transitions through different phases—building to a peak and then gently winding down—crafting the narrative and journey of the Summer Heartstrings album.
You’ve released music on various labels over the years. How do you decide which tracks go to which label, and how has this strategy evolved with “Summer Heartstrings”?
Finding the right label for this album was straightforward because Brobot has always felt like home to me. Since I signed with them in 2015 with “Baked,” they’ve been unwavering in their support. Brobot offers more than just a platform, they make me feel valued and appreciated. Their commitment to quality and their collaboration with exceptional artists have been instrumental in my career. Brobot is open to my creative risks, allowing me to release tracks that might be too unconventional for other labels, which often stick to generic club mixes. When it came time to release this album, Brobot was the obvious choice. I’ve been with them since I was 21, and nearly a decade later, their support remains as strong as ever. They handle the album with great care, ensuring it reaches fans and stands out.
Brobot’s dedication to prioritizing artists and their openness to diverse genres make them unique. They’ve supported tracks like “Under Your Skin,” “On & On,” and “Tender Love,” featuring my girlfriend Ivonne Calvillo, which might not find a home with other house labels. Their respect for my vision and their willingness to embrace a mix of genres, from jazzy house to indie electronics has been remarkable. Brobot has been with me every step of the way, making them the perfect partner for this album.
Live performances are a big part of your career. How do you plan to incorporate the new tracks from “Summer Heartstrings” into your live sets?
If I were to adapt the Summer Heartstrings album for a live performance, I’d use my TR8 for dynamic drum grooves and my JDxi for basslines and chords. My computer would handle Logic Pro Live Loops, running a sampler with stems from each track, allowing me to mix and match for a spontaneous yet cohesive set while maintaining the DJ vibe. I’d also bring Ivonne in for live vocals on “Tender Love” and some other tracks. I’d also incorporate songs from my earlier releases to create a varied and engaging live experience. With my extensive catalog since 2011, I’d mix it all into an exciting performance. However, live shows come with their own challenges, requiring a good mindset and thorough preparation. While I’ve mostly done jam sessions and improvisations, I’m enthusiastic about exploring live sets and might even find them more fulfilling than DJing. I’m still working out the details, but this is the direction I’m considering.
Finally, if you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
If I had the chance to collaborate with any artist, alive or dead, I would definitely choose Barry White. His talent and music have been incredibly meaningful and inspirational for my own work. When I was a kid, my parents always played Barry White and his Love Unlimited Orchestra, and I must say, his work is nothing short of legendary. Collaborating with him and his orchestra would be magical. Just imagine his deep, soulful voice over some fine deep house tracks, or recording the orchestra jamming alongside my deep chords and funky basslines. It would be an incredible honor to work with him. Barry White and his orchestra are the top choice for any collaboration to create exceptional tunes.
Summer Heartstrings is out now on Brobot
