Unwell: The Soulful Sounds of Drum & Bass, Nostalgia, and the Summer Vibes of Embers
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Jake, the talented DJ and producer behind the name Unwell. Born and raised in the Wairarapa and now calling Wellington home, Jake has carved out a unique sound in the world of drum & bass, jungle, and breaks. In this conversation, we dive into his musical journey, the inspiration behind his latest release, Embers, and what it’s like to blend nostalgic influences with modern production.
Get To Know Unwell
Q: Can you introduce yourself for those who may not know you? Where did the name Unwell come from?
A: Kia ora, my name is Jake, a.k.a Unwell. I was born and raised in the Wairarapa and now reside in Wellington. I got into DJing and producing electronic music when I was at boarding school in Whanganui. When I moved to Wellington and started to get gigs and make tracks, I needed an artist name. The name 'Unwell' just came to me one day when I was messing around on SoundCloud and saw a lot of comments on tracks saying 'sick,' which was a huge part of our lingo at the time. I put the two together from that!
Q: How did you get into producing drum & bass, jungle, and breaks? Was there a particular moment or artist that sparked it?
A: I wouldn't say there was a particular moment, but more certain moments throughout my youth that shaped my love for breaks. I came from a rock and metal background; when I was at boarding school, I was put on to Pendulum, Concord Dawn, Skrillex, Camo & Krooked, list goes on. I think I was naturally drawn in, coming from a rock music background.
Q: Growing up in Wairarapa, how has your environment shaped your musical journey?
A: I take a lot of inspiration from the beautiful landscapes and diversity I experienced living in the Wairarapa. I think this has influenced my love for jungle music and down-to-earth music.
Q: You've worked with artists like Paige Julia and received support from Noisia and Boiler Room. What have been some of the most pivotal moments in your career so far?
A: I would say the Noisia radio features back in the day, or being told by Alix Perez that my set at Foxglove in Wellington was going to be hard to follow 😅. I think having artists you look up to support your music is always a big pivotal moment. The shoutouts from Noisia really solidified my confidence with my music, as I used to have imposter syndrome and didn't back my own music. Always release and share your art because you'll never know who will end up liking it!
About the Release
Q: You mention Embers is inspired by summer holidays and early 2000s NZ drum & bass. Can you tell us more about that influence and why this era resonates with you?
A: I think there is a serious lack of this style of drum and bass music. So, Embers is a homage to this era, and hopefully, it can put people on to what I call the soul era of NZ dnb. Lush, soft melodies with funky basslines, soulful vocals, and live-sounding break beats.
Q: The track has a breezy, nostalgic energy. Was that intentional from the start, or did it evolve that way during production?
A: It evolved that way during production. I tend to have no main intention when making music. I just start making, and when I hear a main idea formulate, I start heading in that direction. I think I made the chord pattern and breaks early on, which really dictated where the track would go from there.
Q: What’s one thing you hope listeners feel when they hear Embers?
A: Nostalgia, fun, sun, all the good stuff.
Unwell - Embers / Embers (Monika Remix) Artwork
Onto the Quickfire Questions...
Q: Dream collaboration—who would it be and why?
A: Ah, too many to name. I would love to work with Fatboy Slim or Calibre, purely on the basis that they are some of my favourite artists who inspire me.
Q: If your music were an animal, what would it be and why?
A: A bear, cute but ferocious.
Q: If Embers were a place or a moment in time, what would it be?
A: Having a cold beer and a doobie on a beach at a summer music festival in Aotearoa.
Unwell on the decks.
From his roots in rock and metal to his evolution as a prominent figure in the New Zealand drum & bass scene, Jake, a.k.a. Unwell, continues to push the boundaries of what music can be. Embers is a testament to his journey, a track that not only taps into the soul of early 2000s NZ dnb but also transports listeners to the carefree energy of summer. As he continues to evolve as an artist, we can only expect more beautiful, soul-soaked tracks from Unwell in the future. Be sure to check out Embers and feel the nostalgia for yourself! Who knows, you might just find your next favourite summer anthem.
↟ Unwell
↳ SoundCloud: unwellnz
↳ Instagram: unwellnz
↳ Facebook: unwellnz
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↟ Ranger Records
↳ SoundCloud: rangerrecords
↳ Instagram: rangerrecs
↳ Facebook: rangerrecs
↳ Beatport: https://www.beatport.com/label/ranger-records/130538
↳ Bandcamp: https://rangerrecords.bandcamp.com
↳ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/RangerRecords
↳ Website: https://rangerrecords.co