I went on tour with Jams in the spring of 2012 and I really got to know who she was as a DJ and as a person. What I concluded was that she is a perfect example of woman taking charge of themselves in the music industry. Jams is grounded and talented, she knows what she wants and she works hard to make things happen both for herself and her community and I think the latter half of that statement is what makes her extra special. It was no surprise to me once I interviewed her for G.O.D, that she is heavily involved of all facets of the Drum and Bass community Canada wide and is constantly pushing every organization she deals with higher and higher. Her ceiling of ability and flexibility is limitless and I really think that's cool. We are so thrilled and honoured to have Jams repping Girls on Decks this month with her exclusive G.O.D Mix, check it out! - Isis Graham
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Miss Jams, you recently made the move to the francophone
side of the country to make your mark in the bass scene out East. How has the
transition been for you?
It's really been such a whirlwind. Relocation is never easy
and I hadn't really even imagined in my wildest dreams that I would someday be
living in the heart of downtown Montreal, It's surreal at times. Since arriving
here I've played some of the craziest shows, met some unbelievably wonderful
people, seen the most beautiful things and made some amazing connections and it
just keeps going up from here.
What is your favourite french word so far?
Chatouiller pronounced [sha tu yay] - It means "to
tickle" I just thought it was the cutest thing ever the first time I heard
it.
Do you find a big difference in the bass culture/community
in Eastern Canada?
I think Canada is kicking ass and taking names when it when
it comes to Bass Culture! EAST and WEST, but both sides on their own terms.
It's hard to compare the two against each other because they both really show
case a lot of awesome similarities. One of the nicest things is that
collectively Canada is home to some of the most talented Dj's and producers in
the world and we host some of the largest events and festivals, this statement
is valid for both sides of the county. The one main difference I noted is
people's musical preference when it comes to the styles of bass music they
enjoy. Over here everyone is little more musically open minded but also a
little more closed minded at the same time. It's an interesting dynamic that
creates a unique palette from that of out West.
You linked up with your partner Jamie Sho (now Strange
Future) and created the moniker Master-Faders in 2011, we know that both of you
have been in the scene for over 15 years collectively, what is the idea behind
your duo and how does it differ from your personal Jams sets?
The duo was created to combine the skills of two powerhouses
behind the decks and to really take things to the next level. With the
Master-Faders we really push ourselves to keep things heavy, transition from
genre to genre flawlessly, and mix as fast as humanly possible. On stage we
work together in unison and at times are so in sync we have the mind of one DJ
and the hands of two, thus creating endless technical possibilities. My
personal Jams sets reflect my personal taste, mood, and feeling and at times
can be either a little more melodic or girly. I really enjoy mixing as Jams and
I also love working as a duo, I'm glad to have the opportunity to do both!!
When mixing together we have to share the story, share the stage and
accommodate both artists personality and preferences. This creates a
distinguishable sound and complementary tension within every Master-Faders mix
and performance.
What is DNB Lives here and how do you contribute to it?
DnB Lives Here is a collective of individuals committed to
growing and advancing Drum and Bass music culture with a focus on Canada. It was founded several years ago in Edmonton by John Rolodex
with the help of me and a dedicated team. We resurrected a diminishing DnB
scene from the ground up with the support of local junglists. In the past few
years, the project has gained national attention as Canada has shown the rest
of the world that DnB really does Live Here.
You recently took the helm at DNB Girls on Canada with DJ
SW@T managing the ever growing roster of talented women. Tell us about what DNB
Girls of Canada is up to and the strides you have taken to get the ladies of
bass into the spotlight?
There are a few projects in the works that have really
helped us showcase the Canadian women of Drum and Bass. Last August we launched
the L.O.U.D. Podcast series (Ladies of Ultimate Destruction) featuring Drum and
Bass mixes from each of our rostered girls and global female favourites! We
also run a collective weekly radio show every Sunday. Believe it or not we
broadcast live from a new city each week with a new host. We have broad casted
from Vancouver to Halifax to Costa RIca and Mexico! These projects are
assisting us in building a global audience as our proud supporters continue to
grow. We have been receiving an amazing amount of positive feedback and these
projects continue to shine a spotlight on every artist we feature.
Girls on Decks has found that in the last 5 years, the
number of female DJS has literally grown by 500%, did you find the same thing
when you are trolling the Canadian wild for new DNBGirls talent?
Absolutely, as I am always keeping my eyes and ears open for
fresh talent. There has to be at least 4o-50 solid female DnB Dj's I could name
in Canada alone! And that's just one genre! Generally speaking I find Canada is
home to so many musical geniuses female and male, I have the honour of knowing
many of them. I've always thought how cool that was, just how much talent we
have in this county when you actually think about it.
In a recent article we read that one of the reasons DNB
Girls of Canada came to fruition, was to create a "support group of
like minded, hard working women to inspire and teach one another along the way
in what can feel at times like a Boy’s Only Club." This philosophy is
almost identical to Girls on Decks. It seems to us, that there is a higher
consciousness at play with women in the music industry right now and it's
really good to see woman taking charge of their creativity, productivity and
success. What do you think was the breaking point for women in music or how do
you think the cultural landscape has changed in order to accommodate for more
women doing big things?
I agree with you it is really great to see woman taking
charge of their creativity, productivity and success, it's virtually becoming
impossible for anyone to hold us back now. Accompany that with the phenomenal
encouragement and support systems such as Girls on Decks and DNB Girls of Canada and it makes us
unstoppable. Women in music will continue to work hard for their dreams and
together as a team our heart beats as one.
You are mostly involved with DNB related organizations but
we know that you can rock a good breaks or house set, what drives you to drum
and bass over everything else?
I am a DnB activist but I love all music! Good music is good
music. I have extremely versatile tastes and find melody in many unexpected
places. You'll be able to hear my broad spectrum of variety in my exclusive GOD
podcast. I wanted to put a little bit of something in there for everyone. I've
always had a soft spot for broken beats and bass and when it all boils down to
it … I'm a junglist at heart. I've loved it from them moment I heard it, my
roots have keep me grounded.
Where can JAMS fans find you rocking the decks this summer?
So far it's confirmed I'll be playing Bassdrive w/ Vilify
May 29th, Valhalla Sound Circus 2013, Evolve Festival (Nova Scotia), and the
Female Arts and Music Exhibition in BC this September, with more dates to come!
Also watch for Me and Mc Ella GRAVE ripping up the airwaves on the DnB Girls
Ustream Radio May 26th!
You are a busy girl, outside of DNB Girls of Canada,
Master-Faders, DNB Lives Here, WHAT ELSE are you up to this year?
Music keeps me very busy but so does life in general. On top
of many other musical projects i'm planning to dive head first into production
this year!! I'm also an aspiring rap artists after recently revisiting my dream
from the 7th grade and my goal is to be able to rap over my first track.
Outside of the studio I work full time as an executive logistics manager in a
very fast paced and challenging environment. When I'm not working I enjoy
spending time with my wicked friends and enjoying the beautiful historic city
of Montreal, local festivals and the Quebec countryside. This city keeps me
buzzing!! I most certainly look forward to seeing my friends back in Alberta
soon as I plan to visit back home in September. I Can't stay away too long
Where can people find your music, mixes and get in touch
with you?
For all things JAMS --- Check out my website at www.djjams.ca
For upcoming gigs, mixes, contact info and more!
Also follow me on soundcloud to never miss a beat!! www.soundcloud.com/jams-1
Twitter and Instagram: BASSJELLY
Facebook: BassJellyJams
Master-Faders:
https://soundcloud.com/master-faders
https://www.facebook.com/MasterFaders
DnB Girls
Web: www.dnbgirls.com
Podcast: https://soundcloud.com/highonbeats_com/sets/l-o-u-d-podcast
UStream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/drum-bass-girls-of-canada
DnB Lives Here: https://www.facebook.com/dnbliveshere
WHOSTAKNOW??
Mtrl Canadians or Expos? CANADIANS
Poutine or Smoked Meat? POUTINE
Daft punk or Chemical Brothers? CHEMICAL BROTHERS
Old Montreal or New? OLD
Wheatgrass or rolling in the grass? WHEATGRASS
J.dilla or JFB? J.DILLA
Powderpuff or puff puff pass? PUFF PUFF PASS
Snoop dog or Snoop Lion? SNOOP WALRUSS
Iron Man or Superman? SUPERMAN
Bike or Walk? WALK
TRACKLIST
1. UZ - Trap shit V13 (Justin Martin Remix)
2. Stanton Warriors – Still Here (Bounce Funk Mix)
3. Ladybox – Pulse (Distal Remix)
4. Kid Cudi ft. Collie Budz – Day N Night (Remix)
5. Truth, Yayne – I Belong
6. Artifice – Hands Up
7. Georgos Dansio – Your Morning Charge of Cheerfulness
8. Transit, Geeze – I’m So Indie (Rusty Meeks Remix)
9. Duoscience – Day
10. Mr. Rogers – Our Time
11. Ludacris feat Nicki Minaj – My Chick is Bad
12. Broke N – Weighted Notes (6Blocc Remix)
13. Kendrick Lamar – M.A.A.D City (Eprom Remix)
14. French Fries – Smoke Wine
15. Vax, Logam – Hydrate
16. Mount Kimbie – Carbonated
17. Man of Bamboo – Time Traveller (Baxter Chill Mix)
