JFRANK, a rising star in the vibrant Texas EDM scene, is a prominent figure in the melodic bass genre. With his latest track, “Cyber Chase” along with his other releases, he is creating ripples across the electronic music landscape. If you’re looking to explore the world through the lens of this passionate and innovative artist, join us as we delve into the creative process behind this remarkable song, influences, and journey as a whole.
The Rise of JFRANK
EDM Texas: Can you take us back to the beginning of your musical journey? How did you first discover your passion for electronic dance music, and what inspired you to pursue a career as a producer?
JFRANK: It started back in the summer of 2011. I was at an Allen High School game when one of my friends showed me “Still Gettin’ It” by Foreign Beggars and Skrillex. It was one of the most insane things I had ever heard in my life at the time. After that I searched through the internet to find out that kind of music was called “dubstep”. Fast forward to April of 2012 - I was neck deep in the EDM rabbit holes on YouTube, and that’s when I found out about the music festivals. I was watching Hardwell’s set when I realized he’s able to make his own music, play it out in front of thousands of people, and make a living off of it. Once I realized that, the rest was history. I knew exactly what I wanted to dedicate my life to. I think my passion for it originally stemmed from needing another kind of music when I was younger. I grew up listening to my parents listening to a lot of R&B and hip-hop, and my older brother listening strictly to hard rap. I was just tired of listening to love/breakup songs and tracks about violence and getting money. Dance music finally gave me that sense of escape and a positive feeling towards it. I was in love as soon as I heard about it!
EDM Texas: It’s clear that your music has a distinctive and captivating style! Could you share some of the artists or experiences that have significantly influenced your sound? And how do you feel your style sets you apart in the world of EDM?
JFRANK: If I could narrow it down to the top three artists that influence my music, it would be Hardwell, Virtual Riot, and Ace Aura. I’ve said it before, but I give so much credit to Hardwell for showing that there is a future for me within this business. It is possible to start from nothing and work your way to the top of the mountain. I credit Virtual Riot for showing how diverse your creativity can be. Lastly, I gave a lot of credit to Ace. When I was first starting to produce, there were always the super heavy dubstep/tear-out guys like Excision, and there were also guys who leaned a lot more toward melodic dubstep like Seven Lions. Those guys are amazing, but I wanted to make music that was somewhere in the middle of those two worlds. In the midst of that, I came across Ace’s tracks, and Immediately thought “Oh wow he’s doing exactly that!”. I was really excited to see that someone was making music in the way I was thinking about it, but it also challenged me to step my own game up and differentiate my sound from his.
EDM Texas: Can you tell us about some of your proudest accomplishments in your career so far? Additionally, can you share some insights into your previous releases and how they have shaped your artistic revolution?
JFRANK: The proudest accomplishment of my career would probably be playing Ubbi Dubbi and Lights All Night in the same year. I was in California when I was offered a closing set at Lights All Night.
At that point, I wasn’t really posting that much on social media at all. I was really grinding away on the music, so it was an amazing moment to know that the Disco Donnie team enjoyed my set at Ubbi Dubbi enough that they invited me back for Lights All Night. My previous releases have made me grow and level up each time and I can feel myself getting better and better with each release. More times than not, I will be making new stuff and some of my friends will recommend trying a sound design method, which in turn, inspires me even more to try new things and different ways to make new sounds. With every new track, I always try to keep one new thing I did within that track as a part of my box of tools I use regularly to make music.
"Cyber Chase" Unveiled
EDM Texas: Could you walk us through the inspiration behind “Cyber Chase”, its unique elements, and the creative process that brought it to life? What do you hope listeners will take away from this musical journey?
JFRANK: The inspiration behind “Cyber Chase” was more of me realizing that my melodies don’t always have to be so complicated all the time. There are a lot of great songs that have very simplistic melodies and chords. It was a song that I could really relax on being super sophisticated and intricate, but more so just make something fun and energetic! The primary message I hope listeners take away from the track is this. The fact that it IS a journey, and it should be enjoyed as such. It’s an adventure, and it is never about getting to the destination.
EDM Texas: Could you share some insights into the production techniques and musical choices that contributed to the track’s distinctive melodic bass sound? What sets this aspect of the song apart from other bass tracks?
JFRANK: My main thought process when it comes to making melodic bass music is to get a 50/50 blend of both heavy bass and melodic content. So when I sound design I start with something that could be a regular bass sound on its own, then add the color to it. To my producers, Snap Heap by Kilohearts has been super helpful with this process. It's never really about adding the melodic side 50% on absolutely everything. A lot of times there are some sections in my music where the heavier basses takeover, but balance it out with a heavy melodic section soon after, and vice versa. I think the fact that I do the whole “50/50 blend” method is what makes my tracks stand out in general. A lot of the major dubstep bangers and classics lean very heavily one way or the other. They’re either very heavy with little melodic content or the other way around.
EDM Texas: The title “Cyber Chase” suggests an intriguing theme. Could you shed some light on the inspiration behind the name and the overall theme of the track? Are there any specific experiences or ideas that influenced this creative direction?
JFRANK: “Cyber Chase” is one of my favorite themes and ideas. The artwork shows some sort of digital wormhole into the white unknown. The whole idea is that when the drop hits it forces your imagination to run wild with what is on the other side of that wormhole. The drop gives your brain somewhat of an idea of what happening once you cross through, but for the most part, it is entirely your choice to envision what is transpiring.
Listen to “Cyber Chase” below:
JFRANK's Impact On The Texas EDM Scene
EDM Texas: You’ve been an integral part of the Texas EDM scene for quite some time now! Can you share some insights into how you’ve contributed to the local community? Have there been any memorable collaborations, performances, or events that stand out as a significant contribution to the scene?
JFRANK: The Texas EDM scene is really special to me considering that’s where I got my start. But in general, it has been and always will be my home. I’ve moved away from Texas a couple of times now, and anywhere I go, I make sure people know where I came from and how we live down in the South. I actually played shows in multiple states where most of my set consisted of Dallas or Texas producers in general. I've always wanted to put Dallas more on the map than it currently is and my last two collaborations with PRSM and Malware are easily my favorite. My set at Lights All Night stands out to me as well. I had to close out a stage on day two of the festival, playing at the same time as John Summit and Zeds Dead. They are two of the biggest dance music artists today, and I had to figure out a way to keep a crowd and keep their attention. I was able to pull it off and I was very proud of what I was able to accomplish that night.
EDM Texas: As “Cyber Chase” gains momentum, how have you experienced its reception, particularly with the Texas EDM community? How do you feel your music resonates with the local audience, and what role does your background play in your artistic identity?
JFRANK: I have had an overwhelming amount of support for this track within the community and it always amazes me just how supportive the community can be!
It’s only been out a week and I’ve seen it on so many playlists, it's breached the top 30 dubstep streamed tracks on Hypeddit and all the messages I’ve received about it. I think the music I make has a unique connection with the community. There have been times when I played a 9 p.m. set, which in most cases most people aren’t at the venue yet, and out of nowhere, the place is packed out! It blows me away every time it happens and I try to live in those moments and not take it for granted. I think my background does play a key role in my artistic identity. If it wasn’t for my time at Allen High School, being a part of the band, moving to the Midwest and experiencing that for a few years, and going to California for Icon Collective, I would not be where I am at all. I wouldn’t be who I am either. It all blends together and comes out as yours truly!
JFRANK’s remarkable journey and unique melodic style have made him a prominent figure in the EDM world. To fully appreciate his contributions and experience the magic of his music, we strongly encourage you to listen to his music and embark on the most exhilarating adventure of your life!
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