Getting To Know… Jimmy Allen

f: Please tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from and how you started making dance music?

Jimmy: I’m a DJ / producer from Liverpool, UK. I started as a DJ in local bars and clubs in Liverpool city centre. My early DJ residencies were at some of the best clubs for dance music, such as the Magnet, Bar Bodega, The Peacock, and I now hold a residency in Gloria’s.

f: Who did you listen to growing up, and do they influence your music career at all today? 

Jimmy: I was a huge hip hop head growing up, A tribe Called Quest, Wu Tang, Mobb Deep, lots of the New York stuff. My parents and close family were all in bands and stuff, so growing up, I was listening to a lot of rock n roll, The Clash, The Ramones and The Sex Pistols. So I’ve got quite the wild music taste. I suppose all the music I listened to growing up has helped me become the artist I am today in many different ways. 

f: How would you describe your sound? 

Jimmy: I really love the sound of the New York and Chicago House scene. I love the soulful side of House music mixed with more of the jacking and deeper side. As I love all forms of house music, it gives me the chance to go across the board and play lots of different styles of house. 

f: What was your first release? 

Jimmy Allen – Low On Dust

f: Which of your own tracks or remixes was the biggest labour of love to create / personal favourite? 

Jimmy: I really love my newest EP ‘The Get Down’, on Circus Recordings, as it came together so naturally and really caught my sound perfectly. I only sent it to a few people, and one of them was Yousef, head of Circus, and he snapped it. So the whole top came together really well. 

f: And your most successful release? 

Jimmy: My last EP on the amazing Big Love Trax ran by legend Seamus Haji. The stand out track was “Our House” featuring US house legend DJ Romain. 

f: You’ve just landed on Yousef’s Circus Recordings with your new release, ‘The Get Down’ EP, what we can expect to hear? 

Jimmy: The EP has 2 tracks, ‘The Get Down’ and ‘Til The Morning’ –  classic jackin’ house vibes with that Jimmy Allen flavour on top. 

f: Are you pleased with the results? 

Jimmy: I’m super happy with how it turned out, and couldn’t be happier it coming out on Circus Recordings as it’s a label based in my home town and followed it from pretty much day one. So its a full circle moment for me. 

f: As a regular Circus partygoer for many years, how does it feel to land on the label? 

Jimmy: It feels kind of surreal if I’m being honest, with going to circus parties from lets’ say since I was 18 and following the label from day one, it’s really is a pleasure and honour to release on a label so close to my heart. Can’t thank Yousef and the team enough. 

f: You’ve already made a few collab releases with the likes of Jordan Peak and DJ Romain, who else would you like to work with? 

Jimmy: I’d love to work with Kerri Chandler as he’s one of my idols and love his sound. That deep and soulful sound really gets me, especially in a club setting.  

f: What’s your favourite piece of studio kit? 

Jimmy: Maschine Studio!!! Amazing for making your beats and getting your ideas down. 

f: As a DJ, what have been your highlight gigs and where are you most looking forward to performing soon? 

Jimmy: One that always springs to mind was making my debut on the beach stage at the garden Tisno Croatia for Suncebeat a few years ago. A very special moment for me as it was always a place I wanted to play. I’m now a resident at the festival which has now moved to Portugal. This year can catch me in Tenerife, Paris, London, Ibiza and lots more which I’ll be announcing very soon. 

f: What can we expect from a typical Jimmy Allen DJ set? 

Jimmy: House music in all its forms. Big energy and good vibes. 

f: You also host a regular radio show on Mi-Soul.com, please tell us a bit about that. 

Jimmy: Yes, so I host a show once a month playing all the different style of House music I love, It really gives me a chance to play stuff from past, present and future, and really show people what I’m about. It’s the 2nd Saturday of each month, 9 till 11. Tune in! 

f: Which dance track holds the most precious memories for you? 

Jimmy: One track which just never gets old for me is Loco Dice ‘Tight Laces’. Was a huge track in DC10 around the time I did a season in Ibiza, and always had me hooked whenever it got dropped. It very much has its own sound, like a lot of loco dices production. 

f: Who are your top 3 current producers?  

Jimmy: Louie Vega, Traumer and Frits Wentink. 

f: What else are you working on that you can tell us about? 

Jimmy: I’ve got lots of music dropping this year on some amazing labels and some collabs that I can’t wait to share with everyone. I’ve wanted to work with some more vocalists and stuff, so you can expect lots from me this year. 

‘The Get Down’ EP is out now on Circus Recordings.