Biography
Swiss house music artist Jimi Jules first earned attention through repeated appearances across Zürich's club circuit, yet widespread commercial recognition arrived only in 2014 via the Europe-wide success of his collaboration with German producer Oliver $ on the track "Pushing On." Born in Lucerne to a Swiss father who played music and came from a farming background, along with a mother of Caribbean heritage said to trace her lineage to a succession of voodoo sorcerers, Jules developed an early passion for sound through jazz studies and proficiency on both trumpet and tuba. He later enrolled at the Zürich University of the Arts, where he earned a Master's degree in music production. During those university years he shifted focus toward vocals and co-founded the live electro outfit Le Dompteur ("Animal Tamer"), which achieved modest recognition before the group lost its unreleased debut album when Jules' hard drive failed. Around the same period he began performing as a DJ at the well-known Zürich venue Hive, whose owner initially labeled his opening set among the poorest performances witnessed there. Nevertheless, subsequent bookings allowed him to refine his technique until he established a solid reputation as a skilled selector.
Hive also provided the setting for his chance encounter with Oliver $, which occurred after the scheduled DJ failed to appear. The two quickly recognized a shared musical sensibility, formed a close friendship, and began collaborative sessions after Oliver $ extended an invitation for Jules to join him in Berlin and work inside his home studio. Their first joint output, the techy Earl EP issued on Hive Audio, included the widely played club cut "Soggy Cereal." The follow-up single, the funky and soulful "Pushing On," arrived in March 2014 on Defected, climbed to the top of the influential Beatport chart, and registered as a hit throughout Europe. The resulting momentum secured Jules a resident DJ position at the renowned Watergate club and prompted him to start work on his first solo album.
Hive also provided the setting for his chance encounter with Oliver $, which occurred after the scheduled DJ failed to appear. The two quickly recognized a shared musical sensibility, formed a close friendship, and began collaborative sessions after Oliver $ extended an invitation for Jules to join him in Berlin and work inside his home studio. Their first joint output, the techy Earl EP issued on Hive Audio, included the widely played club cut "Soggy Cereal." The follow-up single, the funky and soulful "Pushing On," arrived in March 2014 on Defected, climbed to the top of the influential Beatport chart, and registered as a hit throughout Europe. The resulting momentum secured Jules a resident DJ position at the renowned Watergate club and prompted him to start work on his first solo album.
Albums
Singles
