Interview: JABY Talks Sound, Soul and the Scene: An Artist on the Rise

Hailing from the Czech Republic, rising producer JABY has been carving a name for himself with a style that fuses emotive melody and technical aggression. As his profile continues to grow both locally and abroad, he’s setting his sights firmly on the UK scene—bringing with him a distinctive sound that bridges neurofunk intensity with melodic weight. We caught up with JABY to talk about his creative process, musical influences, and the next steps in his evolving journey through drum and bass.

What first sparked your love for drum and bass, and how did growing up in the Czech Republic shape your early experiences with the genre?

I actually came to drums and bass around the age of 14. First of all, I did not pay much attention to it, but over time, some tracks started giving me this intense, enthusiastic feeling. Before my first gig, I was nervous and even doubted if I fit in. But the atmosphere and the spirit of the community won me completely. That friendship, that energy. This made me love the scene.

Your music often blends heavy, technical elements with melodic undertones. How do you approach that balance when starting a new track?

I do not like to stay on just one side of the spectrum. I enjoy making aggressive, high-energy tracks, but I want to bring emotion and story into my music, with melodies people can remember or even sing along to. Whether a track is heavy or melodic usually depends on where I am mentally. Sometimes I plan to write something melodic, and it unexpectedly flips into something darker or the other way around. But I always love to combine neurofunk with a bit of hardcore.

You’ve described yourself as someone looking to expand internationally, especially into the UK scene. What’s the appeal of the UK market for you, and how do you see your sound connecting with UK crowds?

The UK is DNB's home, and it is as simple as that. The crowd is educated, the sound systems are at the next level, and the style is respected at all other levels. I think my sound—especially the mix of emotional builds and aggressive drops—is the kind of energy that can actually connect to the UK crowd.

There’s clearly a strong identity in your productions—how would you personally describe the “JABY sound”?

If I had to define it, I would say it is energetic, dark and a little melancholic. Even my heaviest tracks usually carry some emotional weight, such as Fractured Reality, for example. I love pushing the intensity but keeping a little soul in there. It is music that hits hard but also makes you feel something.

What’s the creative process like in your studio? Do you usually start with drums, synths, atmosphere, or does it change each time?

It really depends. Most often, I start with a drop—usually laying the drums first, then adding bass and tunes. Once I have something with which I am happy, I go to the build-up and start adding and removing the elements as long as it flows. Sometimes, I do not even know what I am doing; I just follow the vibe.

How do you decide what direction a track should take when working on new material?

I try not to force anything. Sometimes a track starts off really melodic and ends up turning into a dancefloor banger or the opposite. I usually just listen to where the idea wants to go and build around that.

Which artists have had the biggest influence on your music, and are there any producers or labels you’d love to work with?

Early on, Andromedik was a huge influence - he has always been an inspiration for me. And he is actually someone I would love to collaborate with someday - that would be top level achievement for me. For label, on the melodic side I would like to work with UKF, Viper Recordings or DNB Allstars. On the harder side, definitely Eatbrain, Blackout Music, or Neuroheadz.

Drum and bass in the Czech Republic seems to be in a strong place right now. What’s the local scene like from your perspective?

It is prosperous. When a bigger name is booked, places are packed. There is also a growing wave of local producers with some serious talent. I honestly think that we are currently in a golden era for Czech drum and bass right now.

With so many new producers emerging globally, what do you think is the key to standing out in today’s D&B landscape?

Originality and honesty. Do not just chase trends. Create music that really shows who you are. Of course, sound design and mixdown are important, but the emotional aspect matters. People will notice if your track has a message or a feeling behind it, and it feels great.

What’s next for you—any releases, collabs, or live shows you can give us a heads-up on?

Right now, I am the most excited about an upcoming release with a crew I would say is one of the most respected in our scene. I get tired of most of my songs before they are out, but with this one, I still feel hyped every time I hear it. I also talked with one of my favourite local rap artists about a possible collab, but I’ll keep that under wraps for now. 

In terms of gigs, I’m definitely looking to focus more on international bookings this year.

And finally… if you could take just one drum and bass track—by any artist, from any era—to a desert island, what would it be and why?

Probably First To Go by Andromedik. That track was one of the main reasons I started producing drum and bass in the first place. I would say it is powerful, emotional and timeless.

Huge thanks to JABY for taking the time to speak with us. Keep your eyes peeled for more from this rising Czech producer—there’s plenty more on the horizon.