Jonas Blue has found success with his house version of Tracy Chapman's Fast Car. Gavin Mills
Jonas Blue has found success with his house version of Tracy Chapman's Fast Car. Gavin Mills

Jonas Blue on his Fast Car remix: ‘It was pretty much the song of my childhood’



This time last year, Jonas Blue did not exist.

Now, thanks to the breakaway success of a debut single – an infectious tropical-house cover of Tracy Chapman's Fast Car, which has charted in more than 50 countries – the 26-year-old could soon be a household name.

He didn't exist, because that's not his real name. Jonas is the stage name of Guy Robin, a former pop producer and songwriter for hire, known for back-room work with acts including X Factor contestant Laura White.

Fast Car is the latest step in a shrewd musical ascent. Trained formally on the flute from the age of 8, Robin, now 26, began DJing at 11, because "when I got to high school, to be playing an instrument was really uncool".

By 13 he was sick of spinning other people's tunes and began writing his own. Later, between solo DJ gigs, he worked behind the scenes with acts including UK rapper Harry Shotta and Dutch X Factor winner Rochelle Perts.

But with Fast Car – recorded in August, released in December, and cresting a chart high around February – Robin has found something of his own, something that almost overnight is taking him around the world as a headline DJ, with a long stint booked in Ibiza this summer. First, he stops by Aloft Abu Dhabi on Friday, May 20 to DJ for Club MTV.

Blue says a follow-up single to Fast Car is set to drop on June 3. Just don't ask what it will sound like – speaking on the phone from his home studio in London, Robin wouldn't even tell us the track's name.

How much has your life changed in the past six months?

It’s been absolutely nuts – from literally writing music in the studio quietly to all of a sudden your life being turned upside down. When you’ve been working for so long it’s nice to have it work out, you’ve just got to be ready and take the opportunity.

Speaking of which, one such opportunity was a residency at Ushuaïa Ibiza.

I've got a crazy story – last year I was in Ushuaïa with my friends. I saw Scooter Braun, who is Justin Bieber's manager and I'm a massive fan. He was in the VIP part with Avicii's manager Ash [Pournouri] and [DJ] Oliver Heldens, and I just went over and started speaking. I was a little bit sure of myself – I turned around and I said: 'I'm going to be up on that stage next year.' And Scooter said: 'Oh yeah, are you?'. The crazy thing is that was before I had made Fast Car. I'm glad I kind of fulfilled that.

Great story – but wait. Did you just admit to being a Justin Bieber fan?

I’m a massive Justin Bieber fan. You’ve got be able to admit that.

Any other guilty pleasures you want to confess?

I always listen to N’Sync and Backstreet Boys – the old stuff.

I’m not sure if you’re kidding.

No, I’m being totally serious. I listen to this stuff a lot. The producer who did all this stuff, Max Martin, is basically my idol. I listen to those songs not only because I like them, but to see the magic behind them. They’re my guilty pleasures.

Any chance of these tracks appearing in your Abu Dhabi set?

Definitely not – it’s just very low volume on my earphones, in private.

Do you remember the first time you heard Chapman sing Fast Car?

It was pretty much the song of my childhood, my mum's favourite song. I remember going on long car journeys and it would always come on the radio – it just really stuck with me. Later on in life, when I became a DJ and producer, I always wanted to be able to play Fast Car within my set, the problem was it's just way to slow.

It’s a weird pairing – your uplifting production with her lyrics. The original song is pretty bleak.

Sometimes what makes a great song is that bittersweet combination – a really heartfelt song, whether good or bad, mixed with something that gets you going. That’s why when people say to me about the video: “Where’s the car?” I’m like: “So you understand what this song is about?” I’m glad you picked up on that.

Will you ever do another cover?

Never say never, but I’m pretty much done with it. I’m a songwriter and producer, so I’m always wanting to make my own stuff, and not use anybody else’s.

Jonas Blue performs on Froday, May 20 at Aloft Abu Dhabi. Doors 8pm, Tickets are Dh150 from platinumlist.ae

rgarratt@thenational.ae

THE LIGHT

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Other workplace saving schemes
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  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
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Transmission: Eight-speed auto
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Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Liverpool 4 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Liverpool: 
Salah (26'), Lovren (40'), Solanke (53'), Robertson (85')    

Normal People

Sally Rooney, Faber & Faber
 

THE BIO

Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren

Favourite travel destination: Switzerland

Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers

Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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West Ham United 2 (Antonio 73', Ogbonna 90 5')

Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 36', Moura 42', Kane 49')

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Three and a half stars

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Match info

Who: India v Afghanistan
What: One-off Test match, Bengaluru
When: June 14 to 18
TV: OSN Sports Cricket HD, 8am starts
Online: OSN Play (subscribers only)

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Torque: 420Nm

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