Eclectic DJ, producer, remixer, promoter and label owner Jose Zaragoza is back again with yet another powerful release, by the name of ‘Shooting Star Vol.2’. A continuation of the first volume released some time back, this EP is looking to take Jose Zaragoza to the next level.
Under the mentorship of acclaimed DJs Tony Rodriguez and Burt Blanchard, and through his consistent industrious work ethic, Jose Zaragoza has managed to put his name on various charts, namely: Traxsource, Juno, Stompy, and DJshop.de, and he is now looking to carry on this trend with ‘Shooting Star Vol. 2’.
His unique House style, infused with dashes of Tech, Disco, and Funk is gaining him an uninterrupted stream of followers and support worldwide, whilst landing features in renowned press such as: Mixer Magazine, Klublife, Tribe, Nocturnal, Muzik, Ottawa Express, The Coast, M8, International DJ, BPM, Urb, 5mag, and Rey Eye to name a few.
Whilst his hit show ‘Hot 4’14’ is still going stronger as ever, placing every mix on Beatport’s ‘Top 100’ since 2013, Jose Zaragoza is also on track with his signature, pumping live shows, which are turning heads around the globe.
Jose has taken some time off his busy schedule to give us some insight about his latest release ‘Shooting Star Vol.2’ and his plans for 2015.
Welcome Jose and thanks for taking the time to talk to us about your up-coming release ‘Shooting Star’ – What’s the main concept behind this release?
Thank you for taking the time to sit with me and ask some questions about my upcoming release.
Well I wanted to continue and build what I’ve started with ‘Shooting Star Volume 1’. When I made the first Shooting Star a few years ago, for the first time in my life, I felt comfortable as a producer that I could finally call myself one. I started gaining a following with my production, and I felt that at that time things were looking up. The release gained steam and almost all of the tracks on that release charted. I was extremely proud, because I wanted to show how far I’ve come but still need to go. Now with ‘Shooting Star vol. 2’, I have the same thought process, but I feel like I can see another level. I have learned so much since that first release. Again, I want to show how far I’ve come, and still going. I keep trying to learn something new each day when I open up Ableton. To hear the difference from that release to this one, it’s like night and day. I’m proud of both, but this one really pushes it up another level!
Where did you draw your inspirations and influences for this release?
I listen to Ibiza Global Radio a lot, and just love the tunes I hear on that station. I’m so impressed by the production I hear on many of their shows. So between that station, and also my biz partner Jesse Rivera, who blows me away with his production, I really wanted to step it up on this one. It’s kind of my one up on him. Each time we play our tracks to each other, we seem to come back with something better. It’s a friendly competition. I respect that guy a lot. So this is where I got my inspiration for this new release.
What’s your usual timeframe for a single? Are you a quick-fire ideas producer or more methodical and steady in approach?
I’m a person that is always looking into going into the next project as soon as I start something. I want to keep creating and creating. So I have to force myself to not go into another project before finishing what I’m working on. I do have loads of projects that are unfinished, but I have gotten better with this. The way I approach each track, I start making sounds. I can change patches later, but I want to make sounds or noise, I literally have between 25 to 35 tracks with sounds in a project. From there, I can start flipping through patches and see what works and what doesn’t work. Normally I end up with about 10-12 tracks in a project. I keep trying to learn new ways, so if anyone has a better way, I want to know!! Haha
There are three tracks on offer on ‘Shooting Star’ – is there a lead single?
‘I Feel The Night’ is the one! It’s an up-tempo, fun, dirty bassline and cool vocals track. I feel this one can work the floor the right way!
Did you have a planned progression as to how each track blends with, and affects the others or did you take a more free-flowing creative approach?
I’ve been told many times, my releases are all over the place. A lot of times, I put out a release that features a funky House tune, a Techno track, a Deep House track or even a Progressive House track. I want to show everyone that I’m not stuck in one sound. I like music, not just one genre, but I do understand what people say. I think it hurts a release if you release so many different styles on it. So on this one, I made it a point to make sure that each track feeds into each other. In the preview clip, I mixed all three tracks together. They flow so nicely together. For the first time in my production life, I feel that I’ve hit what I want on the head. These three tracks belong together!
How would you compare ‘Shooting Star’ to your previous projects sound and style-wise?
I can probably say that this is the best one yet. I think because each track feeds into each other, this one really stands out. I hope this is a start to the new, next level of production for me. This is why I choose the title as Volume 2. The first one, I felt okay with. Volume 2, I feel even better!!
Is this a direction you’ll be pushing on into 2015?
This is definitely a start in the right direction. I just want to continue to push myself in the right direction. It doesn’t matter what style I work on, as long as I keep getting better. I want to be proud of what I put out. I normally am, but now I want more. Of course my main reason for producing is to make people dance. If the crowd dances, and my music plays more than just one or two times, than I’m heading in the right direction!!
Could you share some insight on any production skills, sounds, plug-ins etc. you’ve used in the making of this EP?
I wanted each track to be simple, but hit in the right spots. I’ve learned, or I’m still learning that less is more at times. Sometimes I try to put so many things into a track. I’m learning how to let a track breath and hit the right sounds at the right times. So with this release, I wanted the drums to do most of the talking, and also I tried to keep it simple with hitting you at the right time with the right sound. I feel I accomplished that with all three tracks. Oh and if you would like to know what plug-in I use the most. It’s Sylenth, I’m in love with Sylenth!!
Where do you envisage this package working best? Is it made for any environment in particular?
When I first started working on this package, I had Europe in my mind. That was my goal, what would work in Europe. Particularly Ibiza. I can see ‘I Feel The Night’ and ‘Black Pattern’ doing well at The Zoo Project, DC-10, Sankeys and maybe even Space in Ibiza. I can also see them doing well at Fabric in London. ‘Take it’, I can honestly see it being played on the beach.
You are releasing this EP on your own co-founded label Deep Hype Sounds, how does this project sit within the direction you’d like to see your label take?
This fits what we are looking for right now. Even though we are based in Chicago, we aren’t a Jack label, even though we do release Jack House from time to time. We do lean a bit more to a Tech House sound. However, we will release any style, as long as it sounds good. We try our best to avoid being labelled a certain genre label. So yes, this one fits the sound we are going for right now.
What other projects do youand the label have in the pipeline for this year?
I’m currently finishing up a few projects that will be out on another label in May and June. Those projects include Deep House, Progressive House, and Tech House. Haha, you see, I’m all over the place!!! My goal is to release something new each month, but it has to be a quality release. I can release music with fillers, which I have done before. But not this year, my goal is to be on top of my game for each release. That’s the goal!
Deep Hype Sounds is heading into a pivotal point in the label’s life. Jesse and myself will be discussing what direction we will be heading in for the summer and really for the rest of the year. I know Jesse has many things going on in his life, as do I. So we will sit down soon, and see what’s next for the label. I do know we will finally release Vinyl again. Jesse and I put together an EP that we are both proud of. I can say we worked really well together on this one. I can’t wait until the project goes to the pressing plant!
What are your favourite tracks of 2015 so far?
I have a few I’m loving right now:
Marco Santoro – Be (The Cube Guys Mix)
Christian Smith – The Urge (Harry Romero Remix)
Urulu – Heaven Unlimited
Curbi – Discharge
Simone Liberali – Swan (Mendo & Yvan Genkins Remix)
Argy & Mama – Recluse (Hot Since 82 Remix)
Me & My Toothbrush – Show Me
Nora En Pure – Left The Light In
Marco Lys – Karma
And of course how can I not love one of my mine 😉 Jose Zaragoza – A Little Bit
Thanks Jose!
Check Out ‘Shooting Star Vol. 2’ Here: https://soundcloud.com/josezaragoza/sets/jose-zaragoza-shooting-star
Jose Zaragoza Online
www.facebook.com/pages/Jose-Zaragoza/168821033143839
www.twitter.com/djjosezaragoza
