Perspectives: Jasmín
From bedroom beginnings to international recognition, Amsterdam-based Dutch-Argentinian DJ Jasmín has built a reputation for genre-bending, deeply intuitive selections. Her sets move fluidly between deep and distorted techno, seismic bass and polyrhythmic DnB, unified by warm low-end pressure, intricate percussion and a sensitivity that leaves room for non-club sounds.
Hi Jasmín, can you tell us what kind of music was playing in your parents’ house growing up, and how that influenced your path into music? My mom is very much obsessed with music, it’s in my genes. Just like me, she’s literally always listening to something at home or while walking outside. She listens to a lot of music from all around Latin America (samba, tango, cumbia, reggaeton), soul and jazz, Italo, hip hop (Lil’ Kim), Led Zeppelin, but also electronic music like Gotan Project or newer stuff, or even DJ sets on Soundcloud. My dad mainly listens to more 1960s rock, like The Rolling Stones, which I also really love. I think my sound has been described as quite eclectic, especially when I first started, I was quite oblivious and playing a lot of different genres in a set. I try to pace it out a bit more now, but still, I listen and will play a lot of different things. I think that definitely is a product of the very wide selection of music I grew up listening to! Do you remember the first moment you felt, “This is more than a hobby—this is my life”? In terms of DJing I kept on feeling like I never had enough time to put into preparing sets or recorded sets. When I was studying or still had an office job, I spend all my free time on it. When I started playing more, I kept on feeling like I wanted to have more time for music. So eventually I decided to make it my main thing, so what I spend the biggest chunk of my life on instead. As for clubbing, I realised it quite soon when I started going out. I was always really looking forward to the next club night with exciting music, and the atmosphere, the design of clubs, and nightlife in general, having been a night owl since I was very young. Living and working in a vibrant city like Amsterdam, what’s your opinion on the scene? I think we’re quite lucky with the Dutch scene and nightlife in Amsterdam, there’s a lot of different spaces and festivals for electronic music. It feels like a privilege to be able to make this my job, and already locally being able to play so many different places and events. What I love the most about it is the people that are involved in it, of which many have become dear friends of mine. In general, there’s a certain down-to-earth feel as well; there’s always room to just have a good time together as well, or just not talk about ‘work’, which I think is really important.
What excites you most about where electronic music is heading right now? One of the things that excites me from what I see around me, I really like the re-appreciation for genres like dub techno or old school, Detroit-style techno. Other than that I really love to hear this sound myself, it’s nice to see a next generation of clubbers being introduced to the origins and originators of techno. I remember when I started to discover the history myself through these same genres. Besides, it’s great always great to see these artists play out--there’s decades of managing the craft of DJing, so it’s special to witness them play or perform. You’ve been moderating several panel talks for big guns like Dekmantel and others, do you have a background in journalism and what’s the goal in that part of your career? I have an academic background in Gender Studies. In university I especially loved cultural theory and analysis. I’ve been writing for music blogs and platforms since 2016, so ten years this year. I still do a little bit of writing, but mostly copywriting on the side. I especially like the deep diving into researching a topic that interests me or an artist whose work I love. I’m very curious, and it’s nice to hear more about someone’s creative processes, or inspiration behind certain projects. Through an interview you can just ask a lot of questions ;). While DJing and producing is my main thing, I always keep some time open for work like that. Doesn’t necessarily have to be writing. A project like De School’s digital archive, Het Archief, was something else I really enjoyed working on. How did you end up at Hessle Audio? It should be a huge milestone getting that done? A track I made around 2022 that was released back in 2024 ended up with Ben UFO, and he was playing out quite a bit. Once I posted about it, he realised it was mine – I think the file he had was untitled or something, and he send me a message about it. I was working on demos at the time. When he asked me if I had made any more tracks, I just sent them all. Thinking it would be nice to get some feedback or hear his point of view on which ones had the most potential. We kept in touch, and I kept on working on the tracks. At some point Ben also shared the tracks with Pearson Sound and Pangaea, who gave feedback as well. That’s when I first realised that there was some potential for my music to be released on Hessle Audio. It’s been one of the labels I first came across when I started listening more and more to electronic music as a teenager, so yes, it’s been really exciting to release with them. I learned so much from the whole process for this release, especially working closely with Pearson Sound and working with his feedback. So I’m super grateful for that What’s on the horizon as a producer? Will the focus go more towards that artistic part? I’m working on some new releases right now. The first one(s) are going to tap in a bit more on the techno side of my sound, which also makes up a big part of my DJ sets. I like the balance of both DJing and producing. I never get tired of digging for music, which is one of the parts I love most about DJing.
What do you enjoy most when playing in front of people? I guess it also comes from my love for digging for music; I find a track I get really excited about to share it with people and hear it over a big sound system. It’s cheesy but I love sharing music with people :). It’s also nice to be a part of the whole atmosphere of a good club night for example, a sweaty club, where you become one with the dance floor – pure magic for me on both sides of the booth! How do you read a room when you’re pushing more experimental sounds? I think it’s a bit like give and take, push and pull. I try to alternate or mix it with less experimental tracks or a clearer beat, but of course there’s always a limit to how much you want and can compromise as a DJ. Who’s your biggest influence? And why? In terms of producers I’d have to say Blawan. He has his own very specific sound and sound design, and pulls from a lot of different corners like R&B, pop, and metal, but makes it all his own. I’ve been a fan for a really long time, his early releases on Hessle Audio are how I became a fan of the label for example. Thank you for this inspring talk Jasmín, it was a pleasure! Photo Credits: Loes De Boer
