Jonny Rock: The Ransom Note Mix

There are few as fun as this man. That could be taken in a number of ways but it's the absolute truth, from the music he makes to his long wispy hair and his exceptional taste in records. As a disc jockey he remains unrivalled in his selection process and his ability to keep a party rocking from dusk til' dawn, there are few who can do it with as much style and carefree gravitas as Jonny. 

Since 2005 he has also been a mysterious figure in the studio, releasing music on a sprawling array of labels including Fleeting Wax, Bahnsteig 23, Oye Edits and beyond. A firm favourite from all concerned at Ransom Note we are wholeheartedly delighted to be able to have him contribute to our honourable mix series. In fine style…

Listen and read the interview below: 

Please introduce yourself…

EL ROCKO, ROCKATEER, ROCKLETTE, OLDSCHOOL RIDER – JONNY ROCK

Who are you, where are you and what are you?

AM RIGHT NOW IN COSMOS AS I, EYE N EYE, HUNTING FOR WHATS GOOD LEFT ON THIS PLANET

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

I LIKE TO THINK I TAKE PEOPLE TO A FAMILIAR HAPPY PLACE WHERE THEY GET TO LISTEN TO THEIR DEEP EMOTIONS THEY ARE UNAWARE OF OR FORGOTTON TO U IT MIGHT SOUNDS FAMILIAR IN ITS DEEP CONTENT BUT ONE PROBABLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT IT

How would you describe the role of the edit in dance music?

'EDIT IS EVERYTHING' JR (SCREAMED BY ACTOR, FELT LIKE ITS YOUR LIFE _ SARC) IF YOU HEAR IT DIFFERENT PLAY IT DIFFERENT, SLIGHT BITE OR A BIG SLASH, EDIT LIKE YOU COOK, SOMETIME RECIPE DEAD ON IS GREAT ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES U GOTTA JAZZ IT UP

Have your musical tastes changed since you first started djing?

HOPE SO, ALSO STICKING TO BITS THO THAT MAKES THE ROCK JOURNEY, AN EVOLVING TRIP

Where was the mix recorded?

CASA ROCK

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

WOULD SAY WHEN U WENT TO THE MOON AND BACK OVER THE WKEND BUT STILL GOT SOME ASTRONAUT FOOD LEFT AND CLOSE YOUR EYES AND LEVITATE

What should we be wearing?

MONKEY SUIT OBV. U JUST BACK FROM MOON. GOTTA LOOK COOL.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

IT JUST GOTTA FEEL RIGHT, SAFE PLACE, GOOD SYSTEM, NO TELEPHONES, HEAD AT THE RIGHT ALTITUDE. WHEN EVER THAT COMES TOGETHER, THERE

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

PUTTING ME ON THE LINE HERE

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

ONE I MADE OR SOMEONE ELSE’s?

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

I GUESS WOULD GO BACK TO SEE AND JAM WITH THE 'HARDY' DUTY TO FEEL THE RAW ENERGY AS IT WAS FRESH OUTTA OWEN, UNSPOKEN TERRITORIES. THE CURRENT TIMES ARE JUST FRANCHISING WHAT WAS A SMALL SHOP ONCE. THERE IS BROTHERS OUT THERE THAT DOES GOOD NOW THO MAY BE NOT NEEDED TO GO THAT FAR. 'SHARK' GENEVA WITH MA BRO CROWDPLEASER WAS UNFORGETTABLE AND WAS BY A MILLION MILES ONE OF THE BEST EXPERIENCES EVER. OR 10 HOURS WITH BROTHER ROB MELLO LIKE LAST YEAR AT HOUGHTON, I PROBABLY TAKE A SHORT TRIP AND GO BACK TO THOSE. OR DO IT AGAIN IN REEL TIME. AND FORGET ABOUT THE "PAST AND THE FURIOUS"

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

I THINK WAS THE UNI TIME, 2 BELT DRIVES AND A MIXER CANT REMEMBER (I STILL WEAR A BELT)

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

STARTER IS A NEW ONE FROM BROTHER JAMES OF PACIFIC HORIZONS, FAB DEEP AND NEW AND EXCITING, END IS A RUGGA MUFFIN WHITE LABEL OF NO INFO REPRESENTING THE SEARCH

What were the first and last records you bought?

NO IDEA WHATS FIRST BUT LEMME THINK WHAT IS COOL I BOUGHT LAST

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

DEEP MARINATED TOFU TO DIE FOR

If it was an animal what would it be?

BEAR OBV, PROBABLY ARCTIC

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

THEY ARE ‘ALL’ IN HARMONY, I GOT ONE TO PLAY TO SCARE BUT NOT SURE WHATS IT CALLED

Upcoming in the world of…

GOOD SHIT, C.A.R. REMIX ON THE HANDSOME RANSOM NOTE LABEL, ORIGINAL (NOT EDIT) RELEASE ON MY BUDDY ANDY LOVEFINGERS E.S.P. VENTURE, ORIGINAL (NOT EDIT) RELEASE ON MIGHTY CRAIG RICHARDS LABEL, LEVITATING, NEW DISCO HAMAM, AND GET THE FREAK OUT OF HERE IF/BEFORE IT HAPPENS OUT NOW: JONNY ROCK ON FLEETING WAX , NEEDS 002, HAMAM HOUSE 3 (GOOGLE IT JUST A LITTLE BIT)

Follow Jonny Rock on Facebook HERE.