The Ariston, in conversation with:
Jamie Brown - Head Producer, JBJ Studio London.

Following a whirlwind few weeks, we caught Jamie Brown - producer and head engineer at renowned JBJ Studio on Portobello Road - for a quick fire chat on all things Ariston, producing, and finding time for Simona amidst the likes of The 1975, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Stormzy and many, many more!

















Jamie, great to catch up with you. How’d you end up producing?
​
I was making a record whilst in a band, and just became more interested in the making of
the music in the studio than actually playing it live to be honest with you.
 
A great decision judging by your success and the level of artists you’ve worked with. What about your trajectory from there?
​
I’ve been very lucky. Somehow, I’ve just landed a lot of very cool opportunities and made
the most of them. JBJ literally began with a few mates living together in Portobello when
someone thought it would be a cool idea to turn the place into a residential studio, making it the only one in the city. And then, bam, all of sudden here we are.

 















Sounds like an awesome decision. Can you sum-up what it’s been like heading up JBJ?
 
Stressful, fun, not fun and f***ing hilarious in equal measures.
 
We won’t ask which category we fall in… Has anything stood out to you in that time as something you enjoy most about producing?
 
I enjoy building something from the smallest nucleus of an idea into a full blown
production. It’s very cool.
 
That’s certainly something we’ve noticed with Simona, the way the song has grown into the finished product from our original idea has been mind-blowing. On that note, first impressions of the boys? Anything that appealed to you about working together?
​
Good fun was my first impression. Good band next. Good songs. I think we just kinda hit
it off. I’m an indie kid at heart.
 
We appreciate that mate, the feeling’s very much mutual. The Aristans will love hearing this. Any favourite element of Simona, production or otherwise?
The intro. ;-)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 



Real ones know… Any musical similarities you draw from the band as a whole?
​
Yeah. There’s a kinda old school indie thing going on. Kooks-y, Arctic Monkeys. Very
English I’d say.
 
Like anyone you’ve worked with previously?
 
Yeah, just a few.
 
Ha, cool. D’you have a favourite you’ve worked with?
 
Most recently Primal Scream was fun.
 
Favourite record, EP, album you’ve worked on?
​
I honestly couldn’t pick one. Every one’s been unique in its own way.
 
Any exciting upcoming projects you can tell us a little about?
​
Yeah. I'm doing some stuff with Niall Horan. Sounding great. Very excited about the upcoming Primal Scream album as well, of course. Keep your eyes peeled.













 



We will mate… Before we finish up, we get asked a lot about how we manage as a young band now-a-days. Would you agree the current climate can be tricky?
​
Yeah, for sure. You need perseverance and thick skin.
 
Are there any areas you wish were fairer/easier for producers/artists?
​
I think if you have more money things are easier. Not sure whether that’s fair or not, but
it’s true.
 
In light of all of that, what d’you look for in a new act?
​
The right drive and mentality. But over anything it’s the quality of the song and the
connection I feel as a listener. If I’m bored, then chances are others are too. If I’m jumping
around the room, then others will likely be enjoying it also!
 
One last thing… Any hopes and dreams for The Ariston? I’m sure the ‘Stans would love to know…

Just that the music we have already, and the music we have coming, keeps on getting out there. The next few years could be really cool for these boys if things come together in whatever way.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Class. Have a good one mate, see you back in the studio soon…