Metronome #053: Jesse Calosso

Insomniac’s Metronome series features mixes from some of today’s fastest-rising electronic stars, as well as championed legends. It takes listeners deep across a wide range of genres, movements, cultures, producers, artists and sounds that make up the diverse world of electronic music.

For Jesse Calosso, music has always been a family affair. In fact, the Bronx-born DJ/producer owes much of his career now to his disco-loving father, who introduced the younger Calosso to electronic music through the likes of Funk Masters and Cerrone. A regular at legendary, now defunct NYC clubbing institutions like Paradise Garage and the Loft, the patriarchal partier soon befriended Steve Martinez Sr., father of Steven and Chris Martinez, who are best known now within the international house/tech house circles as the Martinez Brothers.

As neighbors, Jesse Calosso and the Martinez Brothers formed a lifelong friendship built around music. Once the Bros’ careers began to take flight, they took Calosso under their wing, adopting him as their figurative baby bro. He’d eventually tour with the sibling duo, who would later release Calosso’s tunes via Tuskegee Music, their co-branded label with Seth Troxler, and their own budding imprint, Cuttin’ Headz.

It was this strong familial bond stemming from a decade-long friendship with the Martinez Brothers that provided a perfect home at Cuttin’ Headz for Calosso’s debut solo EP, The Incoming. The four-track release sees Calosso confidently step into the producer’s ring on his own, armed with a crisp, razor-edged approach to house and tech house. While Calosso drew inspiration for The Incoming from his time in Ibiza, the EP bleeds Bronx grittiness throughout; you can nearly hear the busy hustle and bustle of the NYC streets in the percussion-driven EP opener, “This Is 140.”

With The Incoming, Calosso makes his mark as Cuttin’ Headz’s freshman of note and establishes the young producer as one of the fastest-rising voices repping the East Coast with style and finesse. For his Metronome mix, Jesse Calosso rides the finer sides of house and tech house with a unique New York dash.

You’ve been friends with the Martinez Brothers basically your entire life. They recently released your EP on their Cuttin’ Headz imprint and are your proverbial big brothers. We were taught to never mix business with family. Do you agree? Or is blood thicker than water?
Family always comes first. For us, we can get on each other more because we’re that close and we always have each other’s back no matter what.

The Incoming, along with the Cuttin’ Headz aesthetic, reflects a very New York/East Coast sound. In your own words, please describe this style, how does it pertain to your own music?
Dope drums, groovy basslines and some attitude. My tracks are usually a little faster and usually sample some old drums.

Your interest in music stems from your father and the friendship between Steve Martinez Sr., who used to party together at places like Paradise Garage. Your dad is obviously proud of you, but what are his genuine thoughts on your music and the current state of house music?
My dad is my toughest critic. He may not like everything, but he tries to keep an open mind. He comes from the disco era and was a regular at the Loft. As far as current music, he thinks people get too complicated with all these subgenres; it all started from the same thing. He loves his soulful house and anything groovy with lyrics.

You mentioned in a previous interview that you simply didn’t understand the electronic music your father used to blast at home. At what age did you finally “get it”? Do you feel electronic music is better understood at a younger age or at an older point in life?
I listened to more hip-hop when I was a kid. But I think around age 10 I really actually started getting into some of the disco he was playing. It’s not really about what age you understand the music; it’s more if you’re into it.

What’s the one song or artist your father introduced you to that finally converted you to a lifelong house/techno devotee?
One song I can remember hearing is “Love Money” by Funk Masters.

You heavily draw inspiration from your surroundings, be it gritty Brooklyn or beautiful Ibiza. Which of these two cities best exemplifies your sound and which inspires you the most? When fans listen to The Incoming, which city are they listening to?
I find inspiration all around me wherever I am. Back home in NY, Brooklyn is the go-to party spot. Whether it’s a warehouse or club, there’s always a good party. And Ibiza is pretty self-explanatory. But for the most part, there’s a bit of both when you listen to the EP. I don’t like to get stuck on one sound.

Who, outside of you and the Bros, is defining the current sound of NY house and techno right now?
DJ Spider constantly has something new out. Phil Moffa is killing it as well; always love stopping by his studio when I’m home in New York.

Will we ever see a return of Masters at Dutch, your collaboration with the Martinez Bros and Blas Cordero?
That’s funny you ask. We always talk about another Masters at Dutch release, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we put something together at some point during the year.

Track List:: Jesse Calosso “Manjay”
Adonis “Beu Café”
The Martinez Brothers “Do That Two”
Brett Johnson & Dave Barker “Stucco Homes” (Return of the Ghost Remix)
Claro Intelecto “Contact”
Armando “Don’t Take It” (Johnny Fiasco Remix)
Flavio Lodetti “Love Letter to Partinico” (Remix)
Masters at Work “The Bounce”
Sven Roesch “Don’t Think & Dance” (Edit)
Masters at Dutch “4 Day Weekend”
Compass “Counter”
Juan Atkins “Session Two”