[Interview] The founder of JEROME talks about what a new music media tool should be.
![[Interview] The founder of JEROME talks about what a new music media tool should be.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0587/3785/2589/files/JEROME0_480x480.png?v=1659856204)
interviewer: IRIKI (Radd Lounge) | translator: Matthew Later
![[Interview] The founder of JEROME talks about what a new music media tool should be.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0587/3785/2589/files/JEROME1_480x480.gif?v=1659856200)
Derived from Classical Trax, JEROME is a music label that has grown to become an indispensable presence in the underground music scene. To commemorate the release of their collaboration with RADD LOIUNGE, we had an exclusive interview with the founder, Matt Lutz, about the intentions of energetically releasing releases from various young artists and the differences from Classical Trax.
■ It started as a place to release various music and styles, not club music.
![[Interview] The founder of JEROME talks about what a new music media tool should be.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0587/3785/2589/files/MATT_480x480.png?v=1659856196)
ー First of all, please tell us about the origin of the name JEROME and the philosophy behind your activities. Also, what is the difference from Classical Trax?
![[Interview] The founder of JEROME talks about what a new music media tool should be.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0587/3785/2589/files/JEROME4.5_480x480.png?v=1659856180)
ー Do you have any interests other than music?
What are your interests apart from music?
“Apart from music, I enjoy watching basketball and the Baltimore Orioles, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Maryland Terps. We try to spend time together and enjoy life."
_ _ _
"Apart from music I would say enjoying Basketball and watching the Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore Ravens and Maryland Terps, I also really spend a lot of time with family and try to enjoy life as much as possible."
![[Interview] The founder of JEROME talks about what a new music media tool should be.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0587/3785/2589/files/JEROME5_480x480.png?v=1659856176)
- "Vague Culture 2" Or can you tell us if there is any new release information?
Other than “Vague Culture 2”, can you tell me about anything you are currently working on or that you have planned?
“Ah yes, we have many upcoming projects in 2017-2018. For example HD Mirror , Profundo Vazio , Avbvrn will prepare for the next live show and continue the Rinse France radio show. We're also working on a top-secret project and an EP that we haven't announced yet."
_ _ _
"Ahhh yes we have a lot planned for 2017-2018, some upcoming projects, HD Mirror, Profundo Vazio, Avbvrn and working on our next live show, as well as continuing our radio show on Rinse France. We are also working on some special projects and ep's which we can't announce just yet!"
ー How do you think the music scene will change in the future?
What do you think is the future of the contemporary music scene?
"I don't know, but in a positive way, I think the scene is becoming more inclusive and a lot of good labels are starting to emerge?"
_ _ _
"I am not sure, in a positive way I think the scene is becoming more inclusive and I think the a lot of strong labels are starting to pop up!"
"My only hope is to continue releasing purely cool mixes/projects. Hopefully I can do more shows!"
_ _ _
"My only goal is to continue to release mixes/projects that are honest and sound sick to me. Also hopefully we can start putting on shows more!"
First of all, what is the origin of the name JEROME, and what are the label's core principles? Also, what is the difference between JEROME and Classical Trax?
"Hi, how are you doing? Jerome decided on a name with two or three meanings. Mainly it's a family name for himself, another is a nickname I used in an old rap column, and another is a basketball announcer's name. It's taken from a video clip by Bill Rafferty."
"The first thing I wanted to do with JEROME was start it as a place to release various music and styles, not the 'club' music of artists who were participating in the CT (Classical Trax) community. Our philosophy is to create a place where people can make the music they really want to make, such as making experimental music in various genres.We also have a kind of mission statement: "they are them, we are us." (They are them, we are us)"
_ _ _
■ Regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, etc.,
- Currently, it seems to be one of the platforms for a large number of young artists. Do you have any intentions?
Right now, your label seems to serve as a platform for promoting many newer artists.
"I like all genres of music, so it's not like I'm doing it in a conscientious way. If you're an artist who's been praised by multiple labels and has released on many platforms, my label is I think it's just a copycat label, but Jerome tries to avoid that and try to focus on artists who haven't been exposed to the sun, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, etc. We want to listen to good music, and we believe our platform exists to support artists."
![[Interview] The founder of JEROME talks about what a new music media tool should be.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0587/3785/2589/files/JEROME3_480x480.png?v=1659856191)
"Hi, how are you doing? Jerome decided on a name with two or three meanings. Mainly it's a family name for himself, another is a nickname I used in an old rap column, and another is a basketball announcer's name. It's taken from a video clip by Bill Rafferty."
"The first thing I wanted to do with JEROME was start it as a place to release various music and styles, not the 'club' music of artists who were participating in the CT (Classical Trax) community. Our philosophy is to create a place where people can make the music they really want to make, such as making experimental music in various genres.We also have a kind of mission statement: "they are them, we are us." (They are them, we are us)"
_ _ _
"Hey How is it going! JEROME is named after a couple of things but mostly a nickname that is in my family, a old rap column I used to do and as well as this basketball clip from basketball announcer, Bill Raftery. JEROME was first just a idea that I had just to try and get some different music out from artists who were involved in the CT community and beyond but weren't making 'club' music and were just making different sounds. to make sure people make music that they enjoy and are being true to themselves. I encourage artists to mess around with different genres and experiment. We also have a mission statement so to speak… they are them, we are us.
■ Regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, etc.,
We want to listen to good music and we believe our platform exists to support artists.
- Currently, it seems to be one of the platforms for a large number of young artists. Do you have any intentions?
Right now, your label seems to serve as a platform for promoting many newer artists.
"I like all genres of music, so it's not like I'm doing it in a conscientious way. If you're an artist who's been praised by multiple labels and has released on many platforms, my label is I think it's just a copycat label, but Jerome tries to avoid that and try to focus on artists who haven't been exposed to the sun, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, etc. We want to listen to good music, and we believe our platform exists to support artists."
_ _ _
"I love music of all kinds and maybe its not a conscience thing sometimes, but if an artist is being championed by several labels or has their music all over different platforms, Im just another imitating label. JEROME is trying to steer clear of that and focus on artists that aren't talked about, no matter the age, gender, sexuality, race etc, we want to hear good music. Tha platform is there to assist and help artists.
"I love music of all kinds and maybe its not a conscience thing sometimes, but if an artist is being championed by several labels or has their music all over different platforms, Im just another imitating label. JEROME is trying to steer clear of that and focus on artists that aren't talked about, no matter the age, gender, sexuality, race etc, we want to hear good music. Tha platform is there to assist and help artists.
ー Please tell us about the artists/things that have influenced you.
Who or what has influenced you?
“As Jerome, I am influenced by many sources. First, one of the important reasons I started Jerome is that I wanted to release not only new sounds, but also original works by artists. DFA Records and Mood Hut , Trilogy Tapes , Night Slugs , LIES , Butterz , Captured Tracks , and many more.Captured Tracks' manager said in an interview, "From now on, We're just releasing new artists and not playing the 'label game'."
“I was shocked to see dance music and punk music artists that I listen to a lot, releasing songs from various labels. But I don't mean to disrespect the artist or the label, they've had a lot of success with their style, but I'm not and I wouldn't do it that way."
_ _ _
"JEROME the label itself, has a ton of influences, and a big part of the reason I started the JEROME platform goes back to the idea of trying to put out new sounds but also artists who putting out original work. One of the keys was labels like DFA Records, Mood Hut, Trilogy Tapes, Night Slugs, LIES, Butterz and Captured Tracks etc etc. My label spiked when I read a interview/or tweet from the guy who runs Captured Tracks and he had said watching something along the lines , from now on we are putting on for new artists and aren't going to be playing the label game. For me that was monumental in thinking, because so many times in dance music/punk music you see artists just release music on this label , then that label, then this other label. I can rattle off like 6 labels currently that just release the same style of music and three of them will have releases from the same artist.I understand that's easier said then done with so many outlets and the internet makes it difficult sometimes. lso I am not throwing any shade at the artists/or labels that is their thing or their style and many of them achieve success doing that but its just not me.”
Who or what has influenced you?
“As Jerome, I am influenced by many sources. First, one of the important reasons I started Jerome is that I wanted to release not only new sounds, but also original works by artists. DFA Records and Mood Hut , Trilogy Tapes , Night Slugs , LIES , Butterz , Captured Tracks , and many more.Captured Tracks' manager said in an interview, "From now on, We're just releasing new artists and not playing the 'label game'."
“I was shocked to see dance music and punk music artists that I listen to a lot, releasing songs from various labels. But I don't mean to disrespect the artist or the label, they've had a lot of success with their style, but I'm not and I wouldn't do it that way."
_ _ _
"JEROME the label itself, has a ton of influences, and a big part of the reason I started the JEROME platform goes back to the idea of trying to put out new sounds but also artists who putting out original work. One of the keys was labels like DFA Records, Mood Hut, Trilogy Tapes, Night Slugs, LIES, Butterz and Captured Tracks etc etc. My label spiked when I read a interview/or tweet from the guy who runs Captured Tracks and he had said watching something along the lines , from now on we are putting on for new artists and aren't going to be playing the label game. For me that was monumental in thinking, because so many times in dance music/punk music you see artists just release music on this label , then that label, then this other label. I can rattle off like 6 labels currently that just release the same style of music and three of them will have releases from the same artist.I understand that's easier said then done with so many outlets and the internet makes it difficult sometimes. lso I am not throwing any shade at the artists/or labels that is their thing or their style and many of them achieve success doing that but its just not me.”
ー Do you have any interests other than music?
What are your interests apart from music?
“Apart from music, I enjoy watching basketball and the Baltimore Orioles, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Maryland Terps. We try to spend time together and enjoy life."
_ _ _
"Apart from music I would say enjoying Basketball and watching the Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore Ravens and Maryland Terps, I also really spend a lot of time with family and try to enjoy life as much as possible."
- "Vague Culture 2" Or can you tell us if there is any new release information?
Other than “Vague Culture 2”, can you tell me about anything you are currently working on or that you have planned?
“Ah yes, we have many upcoming projects in 2017-2018. For example HD Mirror , Profundo Vazio , Avbvrn will prepare for the next live show and continue the Rinse France radio show. We're also working on a top-secret project and an EP that we haven't announced yet."
_ _ _
"Ahhh yes we have a lot planned for 2017-2018, some upcoming projects, HD Mirror, Profundo Vazio, Avbvrn and working on our next live show, as well as continuing our radio show on Rinse France. We are also working on some special projects and ep's which we can't announce just yet!"
ー How do you think the music scene will change in the future?
What do you think is the future of the contemporary music scene?
"I don't know, but in a positive way, I think the scene is becoming more inclusive and a lot of good labels are starting to emerge?"
_ _ _
"I am not sure, in a positive way I think the scene is becoming more inclusive and I think the a lot of strong labels are starting to pop up!"
- Please let us know if you have any plans for the future.
Could you tell me about any goals or aspirations you have going forward?
Could you tell me about any goals or aspirations you have going forward?
"My only hope is to continue releasing purely cool mixes/projects. Hopefully I can do more shows!"
_ _ _
"My only goal is to continue to release mixes/projects that are honest and sound sick to me. Also hopefully we can start putting on shows more!"
ー Finally, please tell us your best 4 songs.
Lastly, please tell me your 4 favorite songs.
Lastly, please tell me your 4 favorite songs.
"It's hard, but my four favorite songs right now are..."
_ _ _
“This is tough for me but I guess my current 4 favorite songs would be…”
Special Thanks to Matt and Skyler, Matthew.