JP Chronic is part of that side of Ibiza which is still genuine and passionate about underground music. His album “Arrival 13:36 Gate 63 LP” features some serious talents with artists like Thallie and Gramma Funk, Gramma Funk was nominated for a Grammy a couple of years back…”Lluvia en Ibiza” is certainly one of our favorites with Micah the violonist delivering an emotional statement to the electronic music genre.

Originally from Mauritius, JP Chronic is one of a kind artist. His successful label Chronovision Ibiza is becoming a solid imprint. As a producer he’s signed on very nice labels such as Voltaire, Siesta and Lapsus. JP aka Jean Philippe sat down with us to talk about his life in Ibiza, his time playing all across Europe and his complicity with Sossa of Circo Loco.

WWD: I understand you grew up in Mauritius and now live in Ibiza. Tell us how you made a big move from an island to another?

I’ve been a big fan of the Balearic island from a very young age. I didn’t miss my bus every month on Sundays to the only place on the island that brought DJ Mag back in the 90’s to keep a close follow up. As it was where all was happening, electronic music & clubbing related, that’s what i was doing since I was 16. It was a non stop learning experience, practicing and making the nights happen with an addiction to vinyl as side kick was a matter of time that i started aiming the streets of London where i spent all my money and 2 years of my life at amazing places such as Black Market in Soho or even hours at Vinyl Exchange basements. Digging deeper
is what motivates me. Then I moved to Spain where i lived almost 6 years in Valencia with the objective of learning Spanish and preparing myself for Ibiza. It led me to work in Madrid, Barcelona & other amazing places over the peninsula. I held residencies and performed as in several clubs in Europe throughout these 15 years, Queen (Paris), Cafe D’anvers (Antwerp), Watergate (Berlin), Barraca (Valencia), Weetamix (Geneva) or City Hall (Barcelona). It went really fast, Ibiza came in the form of an invitation at Pacha, resident Graham Sahara who I invited several time to play with me in Valencia. I played a couple of sets in Pacha’s funky room with him, loved it since then i just can’t get enough of it. If I’m away from the island, i feel homesick as if i was from that island, it might be an islander thing but just feels like the only place i can relate to as home after Mauritius, this ability of maintaining the island’s nature with such powerful and peaceful way of bringing so many people together with music and art, the soundtrack of your life in all possible ways, to rest or to party, day or night, the ying and yang, balance…

WWD: When were you first introduced to Electronic Music, I imagine it was in Mauritus?

if you consider Herbie Hancock, Jean Michel Jarre as electronic music, I was too young to remember. I was going through my father’s collection and followed the evolution of music. I chose my sound as a tool for school as i was saying back in the days, made my tapes to sell in classes and never got caught! I made enough money to renew my collection every month and keep up with the new stuff. Around 16 years old I started to get more familiar with bands such as The Prodigy, Propellerhead or The Shamen. These were beautiful years, ground breaking times for electronic music. My first years as resident DJ in an official night club came with hits such as Stardust, Cassius, David Morales & Frankie Knuckles all over the place which followed by deeper and more underground stuff such as Isolee or Ludovic Navarre aka St Germain. I started following lots of US labels such as Siesta, Tango, Classic, Strictly Rhythm, Nervous to name a few, its an unfinished hunting personal affair between me an my collection, My love for drums and percussion will probably come from Mauritian “Sega” music, which is a local type of drum percussion call “Ravanne” also on the side having the “Tabla” used much in Indian music. We can say its pretty drummy up there in chronoworld

WWD While growing up, what were your musical influences?

Being born and raised in a multicultural island such as Mauritius, it has been a privilege to grow up there, inspire myself with the tropical sounds and indian influence from the indian ocean. I was practically raised listening to music from Motown, Blue Note to all kind of world music, Indian, African or Chinese, influence that led me to lots of Soulful stuff later and also to do very eclectic sets, learn how to mix, blend, order my music in my human record box

WWD: You are one of the few DJs who has dreadlocks. Tell us why and what it represents to you?

I’m a big fan of reggae and specially Bob Marley’s music. As an Artist his way to reach everyone with one sentence in his songs has always been an inspiration since the first day i heard him. I have a huge respect for Rastafarian culture as i’ve been brought up around rastas as neighbours, families & friends. There are lots of good to learn from the rastas, as they walks with mother nature not against it.… they’ve been preaching the solution to our problem for far too long.

WWD: In your Album, one of our favorites is the one with Thallie. “Storm” is a lovely track. Tell us how you first met with her and how you both started making music?

Thallie was introduce to me by a very good friend in Mauritius when i went on holidays around 6 years ago. At a dinner we started talking about music one thing after another, she played a couple of songs and i was hooked right away. I fell in love with her voice, being a big fan of Nina Simone or Amy Winehouse. I felt the connection right away, we’ve been working on music together since then. She’s doing really great on her own with albums and releases. I feel so lucky to work with such a great talent, and on top of that she is from my native island Mauritius 🙂

WWD: This album is soulful, jackin and with a touch of funk. Anything else you think would define your sound?

I was going from the basics to bring back a more soulful spirit of today. You can here the Indian influence in “Holi Day” featuring islander Devanagari Sitar or the summer house track”Funky Shit” with the amazing vocals of L.A singer Gramma Funk along that soulful funky bassline. Each track has its own story… “Focus” featuring Allonymous with whom i did “Walk men” in 2013 drag you to an acid tech house edge with the dark and mysterious vocals of Allon Willis. Allon has been recently working with Basement Jaxx on the side. I’m very happy of the fact that i can’t put a specific genre to this album… maybe close to an eclectic soulful electronic jackin tech house with an afro latin feel as side kick celled with a no side effect guaranteed sticker…

WWD: Who are your mentors today? Are there any friends you consult when you want to have an opinion about your own music? Perhaps Sossa of Circo Loco?

Yes sir!! Sossa is known for his long time residency at Circoloco Ibiza, opening the terrace and main room. I am someone who enjoys warm up and opening sets the most, it’s a honor to learn from the bests and specially at this level that is Ibiza and DC10. As a DJ & Producer when i look at those guys, I see myself still on a long path of learning process, the most important time in a set has always been to start with most completely sober crowd with a nearly empty dance floor, see it progressively filled up and catch the right vibe at the right moment until it blows up. Circoloco’s first hours are best for this experience… other living legends I greatly appreciate are Timo Maas, Derrick Carter, Masters At Work, Jazzanova, Blaze, Dennis Ferrer…

WWD: Over all these years, can you name three shows, which were your all time favorites?
Best crowd and best moments ever.

Watergate: I Played there a couple years ago in the winter, It was on my birthday and my first time in Berlin where i played at the legendary techno club MIKZ on friday and Saturday Watergate, the line up featured AndHim, Maribou State or Mario Aureo. I had a great time opening the set with an amazing view of the river behind me, it felt as if i could play forever with the crowd that was getting in step by step, very open minded and ready for a big night, can’t wait to go back soon…

Baracca: Was resident back in 2006 for almost a year before leaving for Ibiza, Baracca is the most respected underground club in Valencia, Spain. You have the best underground artists and brand showcasing now for over 50 years open. The morning terrace has been a special one for me, starting my set around 9am till midday, the crowd was absolutely wild and crazy, that Ibiza feeling started there, warm welcome and host, still going strong today, respect.

Space Ibiza: I played in Space Ibiza a couple times to be honest not enough knowing that its the last year, I wish I could have lived in the time of Manumission, In Bed with… & day time parties, although those couple of times were unique in their own ways. First was for Kaluki at Kehakuma party next to Zander & Brydie Tong, pretty special moments & second for the island’s festival “Ibiza Lovin'” both i played at the sunset & salon i didn’t get to do the terrace or main room but very professional host and great atmosphere each time…

WWD: Any upcoming gigs you would like to talk about?

We are working on our next showcase on the island and a monthly thing for this winter. Heart Ibiza has been one of the island favorites lately with very important nights and artists such as Acid Sundays, Keep On Dancing or Open Labs Showcases, so it might be one very good option for us. Without mentioning that our roster is being updated for Label Showcases, available world wide with the best resident artists from the white island & Allies to rock your club this winter.

WWD: Is there anything that we missed and you would like to add for your fans?

This summer I had a couple of singles out on Under No Illusions & New Violence music both from U.K. Golden Gate’s Berliners Compute Music and also remixes for Central Rodeo, Manuela Gandolfo or Circoloco Ibiza residents Sossa and Rene. My 2nd single with Thallie “Again” released on Italian label Sunclock with a spiritual remix from living legend Hector Romero from Def Mix/ Saw recordings. I’m pretty excited to see the feedback & support on the album which has been out of this world already. Great words from Dennis Ferrer, Luna City Express, The Shapeshifters, Quentin Harris & many more…
ah yes! also check out Gruia remix of “Funky Shit” getting major support with chart positions, thank you so much for the support until now and keep the underground culture alive & kicking, it won’t be the same without you…

Words by Rico – Rico is a Tour Guide, a Tri-Athlete and a go-go Dancer. Originally from Paris, he is part of a music duo named Wolf Story.