Hailing from the stark and unyielding deserts of the southwestern United States, Arizona-based techno artist, Juheun, has emerged from the dust as one of the most exciting talents to break onto the American techno circuit over the past few years.
Following the huge international success of his immense four-part Acceleration EP on Octopus Recordings back in 2016, the hotly-tipped producer has become a regular fixture on the esteemed LA-based ever since, consistently pushing boundaries with his unique brand of mind-bending techno and unrelenting, avant-garde soundscapes.
We had the pleasure of catching up with Juheun to discuss how he got into the music industry, artistic influences, fashion and more.
Follow Juheun @juheunmusic
Hi Juheun, please tell us a little about yourself?
I’m an American Techno producer and DJ. I release music on Octopus Recordings and Set About Music. I also tour as a live act with a hybrid analog/digital setup built around Ableton Live using MIDI controllers and a couple analog pieces of gear.
We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get in the industry?
For the love of electronic music. I attended my first underground rave party in the late 90s and have been hooked since. It started with Djing and eventually turned into promoting my own club nights and warehouse events. Eventually I got into writing and producing my own records.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Modern, futuristic, techno.
How is the music scene different in Phoenix to other parts of the US?
The interesting thing about the scene here is that it’s been thriving since the early to mid 90s. We’ve kinda been low key killing it for many years and seen several waves come and go. I remember when I first moved here at the start of the 2000s, the underground rave scene was thriving. I’m talking 10k kids in an undisclosed warehouse or in the middle of the desert somewhere was not abnormal , you would see this every weekend.
Because of the amount of passion the promoters have here, we’ve been lucky enough to host pretty much every Dj and electronic act in the industry. It’s been a passion project over the years for many, but as of recently it’s becoming more and more mainstream and you can see the evolution year after year.
Which artists and styles inspired and influenced you?
Oh man there’s so many to say it would sound like I’m reading a top 100 list lol. I guess if your asking about early early on in my journey when I first started getting into DJing, guys like Qbert, Bad Boy Bill, Armand Van Helden all had mad skills behind the decks, I loved their style as I was really into the technical aspect of DJing. On the flip side, I would be bumping mixes from Sasha and Digweed, Plastikman / Richie Hawtin, Josh Wink, Joey Beltram and jamming to Prodigy and Faithless just to name a few.
When all the partying is over how do you like to chill out?
Kicking back with a fat blunt or joint and playing PGA2021 or COD on PS5
Best stage you have ever played on?
All of them.
What’s your favorite club to DJ in?
Hmmmm… That’s tough… I can for sure tell you my least favorite ones… lol
Did you had plans/gigs planned and cancelled because of COVID? If so have you done any online events or interaction with your fans?
Yes, just like many others in the industry all my live shows dried up at the end of 2020. I was lucky enough to jump into the whole live streaming stuff on Twitch with the label (Octopus Recordings) and Insomniac TV right before the lockdown started. It turned out to be so important as things started to go into lockdown and the landscape of the industry quickly changed for the time being. I noticed a quick shift and everything went online. We spent the entire lockdown streaming from our studio. It was nice to virtually connect with all our fans and interact with them in real time. It opened the door to so many new ideas and projects that I’m still pursuing.
What is fun and rewarding about what you do? And what’s not?
Making people dance and forget about all the BS in life.
Lack of sleep.
What’s next for Juheun in 2022?
More releases and a revamped live setup that I plan to tour with mid to late 2022 as long as things don’t get any worse with Covid.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Start producing music.
Name one your strengths?
Sequencing drums and Percussion and DJing
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
When I’m not hungover.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Continuing to do exactly what I am now. Not stressing about money or family and just living day to day doing what I love.
Do you support any charities?
I’ve been involved with several charities over the years through my DJing ranging from The Phoenix Children’s hospital to teaching DJing and production classes at a local community college.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Another tough question lol… but I guess Chicken Caesar Salad and does Pho or Thai food count?
And your favorite cheat food?
All things sweet… I have a massive sweet tooth and I’m a huge sucker for sour candies, chocolate, and bottle sodas.
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
Red lipstick and if she don’t like Techno…
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Elon Musk or Kanye West for obvious reasons.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully talking to you guys again about all the new music and gigs that are hopefully on the horizon.
How would you describe your fashion style?
I think it’s somewhere between street wear meets modern future.
Favorite Quote: “There is one in billions chance that our reality is not a simulation”. Elon Musk
Movie: Back to the future 2 and Blade Runner 2049
Travel Destination: Tokyo Japan
Sports Team: Phoenix Suns and the Arizona Cardinals
