They’re good at everything those Dutch, from speedskating to speculoos (if you don’t know, now you do). But have you sampled the delicacies of their underground music? Well the time has come for a taste!
We were lucky to connect with Jan Berendsen, known to internet listeners and Dutch show-goers as JENGI BEATS. As you will notice in his edition of our VIBE.QUEST mix series, there are beats aplenty! Jengi’s originals and the other featured music are mixed to flex his love for warm synth chords and experimental beatmaking; these are by and large cheerful composition manage to flutter into R&B, Disco, & House grooves to legitimately earn the right to be called “future music” in many senses.
This is the type of content Relaux loves for accenting creative and productive work sessions. We were very grateful to have a chat with this musician on the rise. Not yet 20, and already collaborating with the likes of trop-house producer Kav Verhouzer and others! Read on for a few words from Jengi himself in our VIBE.QUEST Q&A…(oh and press play to start off with an unreleased original tune!)
Hey Jan! So how does a young guy from the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, build himself into the music producer Jengi Beats?
If you want to develop in the music, you have to be patient and you need the feeling that you’ve to learn more and more. But also the musical training that I follow and the neighborhood where I live is important. I study at NPAC (Nederlandse Pop Academie) known in English as the Dutch Pop Academy. With neighborhood I mean for going to school and having parents who supports me with everything :p
You’re just 19, yet have a fairly large fanbase already. Do you get the sense most of your audience is also around your age?
I think mixed ages. Listeners who are looking for new artists/music and don’t want to follow the mainstream.
Relaux doesn’t often focus on music with many sharp synth chords, but you seem to weave them over chill beats in tracks like “Carrot Juice“. Does this come naturally or tricky to create?
Yeah it came naturally. “Carrot Juice” was pretty easy to make because I had an idea and some awesome tricks to use.
You are a member of the European artist group Souletiquette. How did you get started with this group?
I came in contact with Souletiquette via the fam Ethereal Label and they were very impressed. After multiple releases on Soundcloud, I was approached by other platforms like Zen Supremacy from Amsterdam.
What was your goal when leading us into this VIBE.QUEST mix?
Meet people like you and to spread the name Jengi Beats around the world. And just trying some new shit like interviews.
There is an American misconception that electronic music in the Netherlands is “dirty dutch house” and similar “EDM” genres. Where does future-beat music and your tastes fit into dutch music culture?
Getting bigger but it needs time to grow up. People in the Netherlands are interested in the mellow sound of Future Beat music. But for clubs it’s just too experimental to dance, so I made a decision to create some
disco grooves. Finally I found a style that I love to make and luckily people enjoying my productions, that’s the most important thing!
Lastly, “pay-it-forward” and recommend another producer from your scene who has chill relaux style vibes deserving attention!
The person who deserves attention too is Youri Ter Stege, Sihn, from Amsterdam. (Founding member of the Zen Supremacy label)
Thank you to Jengi Beats for sharing his art and background Be sure to follow his future work here:
–TRACKLIST–
Jengi Beats – Beach Bar (Unreleased)
Jarreau Vandal – Saw You
Gorgon City – Here For You (Bearcubs Remix)
Pomo – Aerobix
Jengi Beats – Take It Slow
Stwo – Aura (Chris McClenney Version)
AlunaGeorge – You Know You Like It (Bondax Remix)
Jengi Beats – Autumn
Cyril Hahn – Perfect Form ft. Shy Girls (Kaytranada Edition)
Disclosure – Latch ft. Sam Smith (Lido Remix)
Kuma & Aywy – Intervals
Jay Prince – Stay On My Cool
Snoop Dogg – Signs ft. Justin Timberlake & Charlie Wilson (Da-P Remix)
Mila J – Smoke Drink Break Up (Jeftuz Remix)
Luca Lush x Josh Pan – Get It On
Falcxne – First Time
Jordan James – Show You Off
Justin Bieber – All Matters (Jeftuz Remix)
Moods – Flashback
Mikos Da Gawd – Shake ft. Tele Fresco
Sam Gellaitry – Grot
Jengi Beats – Cocky Mario
ODESZA – Say My Name ft. Zyra (GANZ Remix)
