THE 10 Qs SERIES
If you love melodic techno and deep house, then it’s time you checked out Jono Stephenson – assuming you haven’t already that is!
An artist who brings nothing but pure musical passion to the table, Jono hails from South Africa where he first came to love music. Learning from his mother, he became a singer, a guitarist, and a pianist, all while being able to share that journey with someone close to him.
As an adult he began making electronic music and found major success as his talent came to be recognised by music lovers all over the world.
All in all, he’s a man who’s poured his heart and soul into his music and all that work has certainly paid off for him. With powerful bass beats and melodies you’ll just keep coming back for, Jono’s music has nurtured a huge and growing fan-base, not to mention the countless other artists giving him their support.
And it’s not just his music that’s been bringing him success, either. He also runs a high quality clothing line where his innate sense of cutting edge style transcends the purely sonic and enters into a more physical space.
Here at Nexus, we’re always looking to speak with creative, innovative, and boundary-pushing musicians about their musical journeys, the memorable moments from their careers, and how music impacts their lives. As such, we were delighted to get the chance to speak with Jono and learn all about the exciting projects he’s got in store for this year.
Q: Before we dig in, what's next for you?
I have my next release out now with Purified, ‘Midnight Sun’, which I’m extremely happy to finally put out into the world but otherwise I have releases planned with Zamna, Siona, and a couple of other labels later this year as well as a tour across India, the Middle East, and Europe in the works. Announcing something cool with Purified in the US pretty soon as well.
Q: Tell us about a memorable moment from one of your live performances.
One of the highlights so far was opening for Cristoph at a packed-out Insomniac x Factory 93 event and having people come to listen to my music and watch the show so they could hear specific unreleased tracks. Having a bunch of people who were dedicated to my music and knew all of my unreleased songs was a special moment for me.
Q: How does music impact your life?
It’s everything for me – it’s a way of living rather than just a passion. It’s the very essence of who we are and who I am. At least for me, it affects my thoughts, emotions, energy, and everything in between.
Q: What's the most embarrassing song on your playlist?
Good question – probably “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran haha!
Q: What's the most ridiculous music video you've ever seen?
PST – Gangnam Style comes to mind although I appreciate it a lot too.
Hey, you might want to check this out
Q: What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Has to be a mint chocolate chip or a mango sorbet.
Q: If you could solve one global problem overnight, what would it be?
Lack of education and wisdom.
Q: If you had a time machine and could visit any historical period, where and when would you go?
Most likely the Middle Ages with knights and castles etc. Always been interested in that period of history but I definitely wouldn’t want to be stuck there.
Q: What movies have inspired you?
Inception, Batman the Dark Knight, Hillbilly Elegy, A Million Miles Away, etc.
Q: Describe your most bizarre life experience thus far.
I would say breaking my arm – it was quite the experience getting back to “normal” with how bad the break was.
