Hi Jason. Thanks for taking time out to chat to us. Are you well?

I’m great thanks, busy getting ready for Miami.

We saw you last year gracing the pages of DJMag in a feature length interview with a prestigious cover mount CD. Tell us about that.

Well, JFunk Recordings was showcasing all its forthcoming releases, as it happens, all six new tracks have been signed on to bigger labels, so all good there.

What’s coming up next on your label JFunk Recordings? We hear your tracks are being snapped up by major labels left right and centre.

April 6th sees the 21st release on JFunk from Herd & Macklin Feat. Steve Edwards - there is a slammin Juan Kidd remix on there. After that we have tracks from Lisa Millett, Sandy B, Gramma Funk and some more underground stuff from Juan Kidd.

You produce consistently good quality vocal house. This style of music has been the platform and gateway for many other forms of music. Why do you think there isn’t as much vocal house around nowadays?

Basically the lack of inspiring music is the reason; everyone is doing exactly what the Freemasons are doing or the same style that’s been made for the last ten years. People are bored listening, singing and producing it I think.

Do you think people’s perception of vocal house is sometimes skewed?

It’s a different generation going out there now, they don’t want to be into the same music their older brothers or parents were into. As I said, there is just a lack of good vocal tracks to inspire a new generation.

What can we expect from your headline set at Hat-Club at Pacha on 7th March? You know they sold out their 4th birthday party at Pacha back in November!?

You can expect whatever the crowd want: if they want it really funky that’s what I’ll give them, if they want it more upfront I’ll give them that. I always look at the crowd, test the water with a few tracks then hit them with whatever they are going for. I never plan a set but I do have a few awesome mash-ups I’ve done.

Pictures from past Hat-Club events tell us you haven’t worn a hat. Are you going to wear one this time?? There’s a prize on offer for the best one you know…

I have worn a hat in the past, it’s just I take it off whilst DJing. I actually bought a trilby for this occasion, but left it in Oz. I’ll see what I can rustle up…

You’re not just about vocal house. Tell us about your Juan Kidd alter ego.

Juan Kidd is aimed at moving ahead with house music in general and wherever possible, vocals. People are sick of the same old style of funky house and multiple re-uses of the same accapellas, so I want to take vocals back to the big room with club beats, but with a bit more soul. My first release on Defected showed this is and this is what the people want too - it was No1 on Beatport for almost 3weeks. Juan Kidd is also a lot tougher whereas Jason Herd is associated with the old style funky house, and I’m trying to move away from that, even though the two styles meet in a lot of my sets, Hat Club being one of them.

Where did the name come from?

A very long, drunken Australian festival, schoolyard humour… Say it fast and you may have an idea!

It appears your production skills are not just for the studio as you give tutorials at schools in Manchester, as well as the Apple store. How did this come about?

There aren’t many Manchester producers with much success in the house scene production wise and having a commercial hit and multiple club hits under my belt created a lot of interest. I’m also doing a Future Music Video tutorial, which I’m looking forward to.

You’ve recently been on tour down under. How was it?

I LOVED IT! Best place in the world. Festivals are out of this world and musically they don’t have a one track mind over there. Partying in the sun - what better than that!?

Do you find that your sound adapts across different countries and continents?

Yes, the UK is the only place I really play loads of vocals. I get to play more upfront stuff when abroad. A lot of DJs complain when they have to play commercial, but I just love the crowd rockin. I don’t mind playing commercial every now and then because most of my gigs are more upfront, it’s a nice change.

How do you cope being away from home for such long periods of time?

I don’t really spend long periods away from home, only in Australia and that’s hard as I miss my son, but besides that I’m usually in and out.

We hear you enjoy a sailing trip. Do you have any plans to sail away this summer?

Yeah, I sailed round Greece last summer, it was an amazing holiday. I’m in Ibiza for a week in July, but I’m getting a Powerboat for that week. I love going round to Blue Marlin and Fomentera as well as snorkelling off the boat, which is great fun. Saying that, last year I got a few jellyfish bites and I’m still scarred.

Tell us five things about yourself that we don’t already know.

I used to be a paramedic
I used to be a nanny (or is that a ‘manny?’)
I have produced music for Dolce & Gabbana
I am part Indian
I used to be a werewolf, but I’m not any moooooooooooooor

I can balance a pint glass on my bum. What’s your party trick?

Shit jokes as above.

What can’t you live without?

Sticky Toffee Pudding.

What or who is your most treasured possession?

My Kids, easy. Possession is my studio.

If you were King for a day, what would you do?

Make Radio1 give me a vocal house show ;-)

And lastly - for after Hat-Club - what’s your perfect hangover cure?

I always drink loads of water and have a nibble before bed, it always softens the blow. I’m a Jaeger bomb lover so trust me, it works!

Thanks Jason, it’s been a pleasure!

Catch Jason Herd at Hat Club on 7th March at Pacha, London.

(Words: NICOLA FREITAS)