Jon Rundell Interview: Music is in my veins

Jon Rundell is more than just a producer on legendary record label Intec Digital. The imprint, founded by Carl Cox, remains a go-to destination for anyone with a serious interest in house or techno and has been helmed by Rundell since its re-launch in 2011. With the label doing their first ever standalone party in Ibiza in July, we pressed Rundell on his involvement in the label.

What musical influences did you have growing up?

Mainly what is termed as Mod music, with my Dad being one, so bands like Small Faces, The Kinks and The Rolling Stones were often being played in the house. Later on I naturally developed my own tastes, and discovered The Jam, and have followed Paul Weller ever since. At school my generation were more electronically influenced and I started listening to Public Enemy and I guess what you could call old skool breakbeat, before getting hooked on the rave scene that was by then sweeping the nation.

How did you get into producing and DJing?

I saw Terminator X on Top Of the Pops with Public Enemy, and thought that I’d like to give what he was doing a go, it really intrigued me how he was doing what he was with the records. That’s how it all started there and then, I think I was about 15 at the time. Producing came much later and was a natural progression into making records as well as playing them I guess.

Watch Jon & Carl Cox live in the Mixmag LABS

How did your arrival at the helm of Intec Digital come about?

I knew the previous label manager really well through the London scene and he mentioned one day he was moving on and would I consider being put forward. I’d been working at Amato as a Label Manager so it made sense for everyone for me to come on board.

Did you feel under much pressure after the legendary status of Intec Records?

I guess a little, but I never really think about things like that, at the end of the day it’s a record label, doing its best to release music it believes in, in the hope that other people will believe in it too. Sometimes you get lucky with that and record blows up, sometimes you don’t, but you still believe in it.

What do you look for when signing new music to the label?

For me personally I listen out for the mixdown in the first 10 seconds, if the mix down isn’t right it won’t kick through the sound system, and the rest of the sounds won’t be heard clearly. I’ll keep listening if it isn’t, for the ideas in the record.

If it has a great groove that for sure keeps my attention. If it’s not quite mixed right I’ll go back to the artist and ask them to re mix it if they are open to doing that, then take another listen and really find the power in the record. There is no one sound that is an Intec sound so we welcome all ideas within our tech house/techno world.

Which artists have been particularly catching your attention recently?

I’ve been very vocal of Carlo Lio over the years, a great talent. The Junkies are also doing great things, and their EP with us is out in a few weeks. Tomy DeClerque is another for some time now. It’s important to remember also that each of these artists have their own style, and that’s important too in this day and age.

How is your summer schedule shaping up?

It’s pretty flat out, which is pleasing of course! It’s a mixture of clubs and plenty of festivals. Some in the UK, Europe, some in South America and America. There will be some full on travelling going on but it’s all worth it to be able to play and learn more about the places I’ll be going to.”

What can we look forward to with Pure Intec Ibiza?

It’s our first standalone event at Space this year, which we are very pleased about. That club is amazing, the sound, the environment, everything. We have Pirupa, Marco Bailey and Ben Sims alongside myself and we feel it’s a good musical progression for the evening.

What does the future hold for Jon Rundell?

Lots more time in the studio after the summer to finish ideas I’ve been making on while travelling, another visit to ADE with Intec and exploring countries even further afield, as well as visits to the European cities we go to and feel like a home now.

Finally, what do you think you would you be if you weren't a producer/DJ?      

Probably just a label manager, I’d still be involved in music, it’s in my veins. If I was unable to do that, then most likely a football coach, another one of my great passions.