Jes :: Unleashing the Beat

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Electronic Dance Music, more commonly known as EDM, is something that most in the LGBT community have a pretty familiar relationship with. If you've been to a nightclub in the last 20 or so years, at pretty much any Pride event, rave or festival, you've heard its rhythmic pulse beating.

JES has been a part of the movement since her first days in New York City. Once she had the chance to record a song in a professional studio and heard her voice played back, well, as she said, "I knew right then, this was what I was meant to do."

JES partnered with two underground San Francisco-based DJ's named Josh Gabriel and Dave Dresden forming a band called "Motorcycle." Their early collaboration produced the monster hit "As The Rush Comes," a song that would change the landscape of electronic music for a generation.

From there, multiple hits, world tours and performances later and a DJ herself, JES' star continues to rise. As they say, "The rest is history..."

She was kind enough to take a moment out of her crazy schedule to chat with The Rage Monthly.

Please tell me a little about your musical beginnings.

Music has always been a very special thing for me as far back as I remember... I was lucky enough to have instruments around when I was growing up and naturally loved to sing. My mother was an actress and a singer, so music was a big part of our family life. I would also listen to the radio and learn the lyrics to all the songs I heard.

I was always looking for ways to be involved in musical projects, from the chorus or choir in school, to auditioning for bands that I found through local

newspapers and magazines. I started programming synths and using recording software quite early on and I had a small home studio. By the time I was 16, I was producing my own demos and recording the bands I was in. I was also writing my own songs from an early age, as well.

After a trip to California, I started to work there in studios and through that met a lot of musicians and producers. One of our songs was picked up for a major compilation album by Paul Van Dyk, which really opened the door to a lot of other opportunities.

Tell me a little about what EDM means to you.

EDM is a very large part of my life. It has been musically and personally liberating for me and brought a whole new positivity into my life. The love and support from the dance community and the fans, was a breath of fresh air for me.

EDM has taken me around the world and introduced me to so many new cultures and allowed me to meet so many new people. It has shown me the truth about how music brings people together, whether they speak the same language or have the same beliefs.

How aware are you of your LGBT following?

I have been involved in many great and wonderful concerts and charity events for the LGBT community and I always feel their love and support in everything I do and at all my shows. It's always an honor to be able to perform at Pride festivals. They're always the most fun and amazing audiences to perform for.

What's your favorite thing about performing?

Performing encompasses so many things for an artist. It's really the moment of truth and totally different compared to recording. It's challenging, exhilarating and sometimes, it can be nerve-wracking. I live music

24/7 and singing live is one of my favorite parts. It's something I was born to do and I work every day to be as good at it as I can. It is amazing to be able to go out there and connect with people and hopefully, lift them up. To be able to give them something that makes them feel so many things... well, that's something I live for.

JES is performing at the Pride of Hillcrest Block Party on Friday, July 17, so get your dancin' shoes on as the "Queen of Rocktronica" starts off Pride weekend right. For tickets and more information, go to fabuloushillcrest.com or ragemonthly.com