Stephen Jusko is a North American DJ & Producer based in College Station, Texas. Jusko’s production work appears on several official remix releases for record labels such as Queen House Music, Swishcraft Records, Pump Records and Epride Digital Records.
His performances are energetic and his remixes are played on EDM Mainstream, Tribal House, Tech House, Bass House, Classic House and Progressive House tracks. Jusko always caters to his audience with vocals which they can sing along with songs that mark special moments long after they have experienced his performance. With sets ranging from happy vibes during Day Parties to the powerful energy of Peak Hour occasionally accompanied by sexy vibes in Afters Hours.
Jusko offers extraordinary and unique material every time he commands the tracks. And now you can learn a little more about this big bet. Check out our chat:
How did you start DJing?
My passion for DJing began with my passion to create music. After I was inspired by listening to electronic music, I began to have all these ideas for songs myself. So I decided I wanted to learn to create electronic music. I taught myself to create music on my own computer. Once I had all these songs that I had made, I would share them with local club DJs who would play them in their sets, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted to be the one to share my music on stage. So then I taught myself how to mix those tracks in a set. From there, I was given the opportunity to take the DJ booth in local night clubs. After that, I was hooked. I knew this was what I wanted to do forever.
Who are your Big Influences and How did you start producing?
Originally, trance music pulled me in and made me want to start making music myself in the first place. Podcasts from Armin Van Buuren and Sean Tyas really caught my ear. Eventually, I discovered tribal bigroom going to Richs in Houston and hearing Joe Ross DJ and I got quickly addicted. I was so inspired, I had to make this kind of music myself. Tribal music producers like Dani Toro, Leo Blanco, Mauro Mozart, Edson Pride, Tony Moran, and Toy Armada all greatly influenced my development and my music. I look up to them and countless others so much still today.
How did you met the DJ Blacklow and when did your partnership with him happen?
I met DJ Blacklow by reaching out through instagram just to suggest my remix of “High Horse” by Kacey Musgraves because he had a country western themed event that he was going to perform at. He liked my music so much he suggested we collaborated on a track together. I jumped at the opportunity. Turns out, we worked so well and developed such a great friendship that we continued to make tracks together and still now continue to make tracks together. He has opened so many doors for me in the music industry and I am so thankful for what he’s done.
Katy Perry’s “Never Really Over,” caught the ear of Perry’s manager, who gave them the official stems for her next single, “Small Talk,” which has been their most downloaded and listened to single to date. how was your experience with that?
That was an amazing experience. Being able to chat directly with Katy Perry’s management about prospects of Blacklow’s and my work becoming official was surreal. Thankfully, we still have a good relationship with her management.
You are currently dedicated to learning Portuguese. How did this interest happen?
I decided I wanted to learn Portuguese when I saw my music was becoming more and more popular in Brazil. And because of that, I began to make more friends in Brazil. Everyone I knew from Brazil knew English but I wanted to meet them halfway and learn Portuguese. Partly as a gesture and partly as a cultural learning experience and to exercise my mind. I learned Spanish in grade school but I wanted to speak other languages, too. Next, I want to learn French and Italian.
Are there expectations of performing in Brazil?
I surely hope so! It is a dream of mine to have the opportunity to perform in Brazil. To share my music and energy there. It would be a dream come true to take the booth at The Week.
When you started your career, what were your expectations and what actually happened?
When I started producing and getting into DJing, I never would have thought it would go as far as it has. The more and more i was inspired and influenced, the more and more I wanted to achieve and play for bigger audiences and share my music with more people. I have been lucky to have been given that opportunity by some club owners and promoters to play for big crowds and it only made me want to do it more.
What steps were essential for building your career and what would be your advice for those who want to start in the field?
I believe learning the fundamentals and basics is incredibly important. Mastering the technicalities is absolutly essential for being able to effectively express those emotions and feelings through art to other people. I also believe that staying true to yourself is important in developing one’s own style. You can take all your influences and technical knowledge to really, truly express yourself.
You’ve performed at several parties and alongside great DJs and Producers. Tell us a little about these experiences and which were the most memorable for you?
The first time I really got to DJ for a crowd who was there for the tribal music, I got to share the booth with Dani Toro. It was for RAM Party in Austin, Texas. Dani is a huge global DJ and he was so nice to me, a nobody in the tribal scene. I told him I was excited to open for him. He said “You aren’t opening for me. We DJ together.” That really touched me that he would treat me as an equal even though he was such a bigger DJ than me. Later that night, as my set was coming to an end, I was ready to give the decks to him, but he said “This is your moment.” I didn’t know what he meant. And when the music ran out the audience cheered and clapped and applauded. It was one of the best experiences of my life and thats when I understood what he meant. This year, I got to share the booth with GSP for the New Years party with DNRMX. I had been in contact with him because I did some official remixes for his record label, Queen House Music. I finally got to meet him in person and him and Nina Flowers both greeted me like family and made me feel extremely special.
Are you currently working on a project? what can we expect for 2021 and 2022?
Yes I am, Blacklow and myself are preparing for a brand new release coming this Fall with a full remix package to follow. I also have a few ideas myself that I want to develop and release eventually.
How has the pandemic affected your career and what did you do to maintain your career?
When the pandemic hit, it devastated my career as it did to pretty much every DJ in the world. I lost many big time bookings that were supposed to propel my career forward. Instead, I was confined to my home. And instead of doing nothing, I funneled my time and energy into making more and more music to keep the momentum up as much as I could so I could hit the ground running once I was able to.
Closing our interview, would you like to leave a message for your audience and for those who contributed to your journey?
To those who have contributed on my journey, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I haven’t and I won’t forget you. I am more thankful than you know and will remember everything. To those who follow and support my music, I thank you dearly and stick around because I am only getting started with my career. There is much more music to come.
