It's a feeling, feel it!
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South African-born producer and DJ Jono Stephenson has been steadily making a name for himself in the melodic house and techno scene. His passion for music was ignited early on, influenced by his mother—a singer and multi-instrumentalist—which laid the foundation for his emotive and polished sound. His breakout single, ‘I Can’t Save You’, released in October 2023, surpassed 1.5 million streams within its first year, marking a major milestone in his rising career.
Beyond the studio, Jono Stephenson is a creative force across multiple ventures. He is the founder of his own record label, event brand, and clothing line, each reflecting his sharp attention to detail and deep commitment to building immersive artistic experiences. Whether he’s behind the decks or designing a drop, his signature vision comes through with clarity and emotion.
His latest release, ‘Memory Leak’, dropped on April 11 via Interstellar Recordings, is a collaboration with fellow artists Henri Bergmann and Layla Benitez. The track is a cinematic, club-ready piece that fuses shimmering synths, steely percussion, and rich emotional depth—highlighting each artist’s unique strengths while crafting a cohesive and innovative sound.
Timed alongside key performances—Henri and Layla’s b2b sets at Space Miami on March 29 and Coachella’s Do Lab on April 11, followed by the trio’s joint appearance at Floyd Miami—‘Memory Leak’ arrives at a perfect moment in their rising trajectories.
Jono Stephenson shared insights into the story behind ‘Memory Leak,’ the evolving landscape of melodic house, and what lies ahead in his musical journey.
Jono, congrats on the upcoming release of “Memory Leak.” How did the idea for this collaboration come about? Did you, Henri, or Layla initiate it—or was it more of a spontaneous creative spark?
Jono: Henri, Layla and I have been friends for some time now and it just felt natural that we made a collaboration together. We’ve always spoken of doing one and felt strongly about ‘Memory Leak’ and that it was the right amalgamation of not only our sounds but emotion.
From a production standpoint, how did you divide the creative responsibilities among the three of you? Were there moments where your ideas challenged or expanded the vision for the track?
Jono: Absolutely, we went through a few versions together and then made some big changes which we believe elevated the track.
With all three of you pushing boundaries in the melodic house scene, where do you personally see the genre heading next—and how does “Memory Leak” fit into that trajectory?
Jono: I personally see the genre heading in a more tech-oriented direction with a focus on groove instead of long-form melodies—although big melodic tracks will always be special if done correctly.
Beyond “Memory Leak,” what’s next for you musically? Are there any upcoming solo releases or collaborations we should be watching for?
Jono: Yeah, so I have another collaboration with Layla and Henri. 19:26 and I have also been working on a collaboration for a while now and we’re just finalizing certain things. Otherwise I have a release on Korolova’s ‘Captive Soul’ and a few other things which I’m keeping a secret for now!
You’ve released on labels like Purified and now Interstellar. Is there a dream label or artist collaboration you’re hoping to pursue in the near future?
Jono: A huge part of why I started music was because of Tale of Us and Afterlife, so I’ve always wanted to do something there. And collaboration-wise, my dream collab would be with Tiësto, Cassian or Anyma.
You’ve been building momentum steadily over the past few years. What’s been the most rewarding part of your journey so far as an artist?
Jono: Connecting with people’s hearts and minds through music and taking them to another dimension for an hour or two—away from their problems and struggles in life.
What keeps you grounded amidst the constant travel and studio time? Any rituals or routines that help you stay creatively inspired?
Jono: Yeah, I pray, eat as healthy as I can, and spend time with friends talking about things other than music and the industry etc.
Lastly, when you imagine someone listening to “Memory Leak”—maybe in a club, in headphones, or under the stars—what do you hope they feel?
Jono: A sense of overcoming pain and then feeling hope for a brighter tomorrow.
🎧 Listen to:
Jono Stephenson, Henri Bergmann & Layla Benitez – ‘Memory Leak’
