Jockkie (real name: Jock) is an upcoming producer, DJ & digital artist from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He seems to be always optimistic, down to earth and out of the box thinking. At times he can be wild and stormy, but also peaceful and calm in the eye of the storm, like his personality, productions and style.
Born in 1986, Jockkie has grown up with Suriname root music, Jazz, RnB and electronic music. He has closely been involved in the growing music culture by working at some clubs in Rotterdam and did some b2b’s gigs in his youth.
His love for music was found back and started a weekly mixtape, called Chimére radio show, on his SoundCloud & Inprogressradio. He also attended an international DJ contest and ended up in the top 25.
Jockkie is working on his upcoming productions, to combine melodic sound with digital art and a holistic & stoic mindset.
A Future Star, ready for a guest mix on Tanzgemeinschaft.
Connect with Jockkie on Facebook | Instagram | Soundcloud | Twitter
Can you please tell our readers where you are from and what you find inspirational about the city you are residing in?
Hey Hey, I’ve been born and raised in Rotterdam. I really love this city. It’s multicultural, raw, a mix of classic and suburban. But also the fusion of the harbour, the nature and the city itself. Rotterdam is a city that will make you think out of the box. It’s been rebuilt after the WWII and you also see it the people who are living here, but also in the buildings. In Dutch we say “niet lullen, maar poetsen”, which means just do it, whatever it takes or costs. And i think that is mostly mine inspiration is coming from.
Tell us a bit about your musical background. How did it start out for you, your preferred music genre, …?
I’ve been growing up with Suriname root music (my mother is coming from Suriname), but also with R’nB, Jazz & Trance. At my 15th I went out to clubs and I listen a lot to Italian Hardstyle, Jumpstyle and Frenchtek. I also experimented with a classmate in that scene for a few years. We made some releases, but we lost all our tracks. In 2019 I’ve noticed I missed experimenting with music and I found myself in the melodic techno.
What or who were the early influences that made you become a DJ?
In 2004 my classmate and I were experimenting a lot for friends. We loved to entertain our friends. I also worked in some clubs and sometimes I also played B2B with some guys, like Ricky Del Prado, Bryan Dalton and many more. In these times Quintino, Stefan Villijn and Afrojack were just started with their career. And I was warming the crowd up for them, with Big Room & House tracks.
In 2019 i felt in love with the tracks of Bicep, Joris Voorn & Kölsch. They are really playing outside of the box and translating what they are feeling or how their mood is in their music. And I am also feeling comfortable with that. Expressing your feelings and mood, by telling that with music.
How would you describe your sound and style?
My style is like I am. Always giving the element of surprise. In the Mayan rituals, I am a blue storm. I can be wild and stormy, but in the eye of the storm, it can be calm. The sound that I am creating is a bit melodic/hypnotic, with a slice of the rawness of Rotterdam.
What can we expect from the mix you made?
It will be a mix of deep melodic, with some hypnotic and also groovy sounds. Like I am it will be stormy, but once you reach the eye of the storm it will be calm.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years and what are you going to do to achieve that dream or goal?
In 5 years I see myself as an all round artist, creating music/ videos and artwork. I have studied Media management, but also sports (and worked as a Swim teacher and gave sports lessons to people with different psychical/ mental disabilities). I’ve learned a lot about how people react to music and I want to do some projects with music, movies and illustrations for meditation or therapy.
On a typical day, what does your ‘listening diet’ look like?
Meditation music, new releases for my weekly Chimére Radioshow, Lo-FI & music I’ve grown up with.
How much do you use social media as Jockkie to stay in contact with your fans? Is the Internet important for you?
I use it 3/4 days a week, to share my mindset Monday quotes, some personal stuff and a sneak peek for my radio show.
I think the Internet is a tool to use to share what is on your mind or what you are doing and where you can find your inspiration easily. It also makes you connect easier with the world. But the most important thing is to stay true to yourself, where you come from and love your body and nature.
What is your absolute favourite track of the moment?
I have too many tracks, but atm it is Precursor, Bad Spirit, Hunter/ Game – Biomarker (VNTM Remix). I also ended the mix with this track.
What’s the last thing you saw that made you smile?
My 10 months old Akita, Noah. He is so lovely, energetic, pure and social. But he can also be stubborn. But mostly he accepts everyone, but if he doesn’t like the vibe of someone, he will keep his distance. It made me think about how I was a kid. He is also an inspiration to me. Just do what you love and do every day a bit better than yesterday.
Thank you.
