Walk Backstage: So from speaking to countless artists over the years we find they’re either homebodies – they love and miss being at home – or they’re the opposite. Which one would you say you are? Are you either or?
Jazzy: I think I’m definitely a homebody.
Walk Backstage: Always have been?
Jazzy: Yeah but I definitely realised that as I got busier and busier over the years. Right now, I’m only back home for about 20 days for the rest of this year, which is insane.
Walk Backstage: So when you are away at these International shows like Sziget here in Budapest, is there anything that you need to have with you?
Jazzy: Do you know what? I don’t know if it’s something I can have with me, but definitely an Irish meal is something that I go out looking for if I’m missing home. Little snacks and stuff are definitely something I like to have with me. It’s kind of hard to bring it with you, but I guess just calling home as well and hearing people’s voices. Even now, hearing an Irish accent…
Walk Backstage: What about Irish pubs? Do you try and scope them out? Do you like a proper pub?
Jazzy: Yeah, we just saw one on the way up. Everywhere we go, we always look for one.
Walk Backstage: So, let’s talk music. Obviously, you’ve had some incredible features. When you were cutting your teeth, was there any collab partners that really stood out? Someone where you thought, “Oh, I’ve really learned something from this person”?
Jazzy: Yeah. I mean, working with Sonny from the get-go, he was so supportive even though I was only starting out. He put me on so many big shows. He gave me my first residency in Ibiza, and the message there for me was just to make sure you support everyone who’s coming up underneath you as well. I always try to play out as much Irish dance music as I can. A couple of my friends are DJs, so I try and put them on the lineup whenever I can as well. So yeah, I think that’s a big one as well.
Walk Backstage: and staying on music, obviously we’re here in Budapest. How do you see the differences between an international set like this at Sziget and something back home in Dublin, or even in the UK? Do you see anything as a performer—audience-wise, vibe-wise? Do you ever notice any standout things that are completely different?
Jazzy: I think you do have to read the room. For example, I went to Denmark the other day for a festival and I kind of just free-balled it because it was my first time playing a festival there. I noticed that they liked all the kind of oldies. I played a couple of trance classics and they loved it. Then when you go to the UK, you play lots of UK house and stuff, and obviously they love it. I think selection and curation is one thing that I notice the difference in when you’re going to different countries.
Walk Backstage: Can you give me some buzzwords of what you think in your head how you see/would best describe one of your listeners?
Jazzy: I would like to think that my fan base are quite positive people who are looking for a lift in life. I always find people reaching out about the music and telling me how it’s got them through such a hard time. Just today, I got a lovely message off a lady, and I find that it’s always a song with a good message in it that people connect with. So yeah, I think it’s always about trying to put that kind of good mantra into a song for the fans as well. I think they need that.
Walk Backstage: Your upcoming debut album drops in October and you’re probably at the stage now where you just want it live but what what feeling are you hoping it invokes in people particularly for any new listeners?
Jazzy: I think for a new listener, you’re going to hear classic Jazzy – the stuff that I always bring, lots of good messages and good vibes in there. And then I’ve done some different stuff as well. There’s lots of variety on it, so I’m really curious to see what a new listener thinks.
Jazzy’s new album Peace & Patience is released October 23rd.
You can now pre-register for tickets to Sziget Festival 2027
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