With his bass-heavy and seamlessly mixed sets, Jonah K is one of the most sought-after DJ’s on Toronto’s underground party scene.  Cutting his teeth on the jungle and drum and bass circuit in the 1990’s, Jonah quickly earned a reputation for his forward thinking track selection and flawless skills on the decks.

In turn, this led to spots as a headliner at local events including the seminal Om Festival, as well as gigs across the country at the Evolve and Eclipse festivals.  As a DJ, Jonah is always ahead of the curve, and in recent years helped spread the sound of dubstep across the city.

“Jonah K has long been one of our favourite DJs. He’s become a first choice for dubstep fans.”

Dave McLeod, event promoter (Promise, Harvest Festival)

One secret to Jonah’s success as a DJ is his arsenal of self-produced material. Armed with drum machines, synths and a catalogue of samples cultivated from field recordings and obscure music and films, Jonah’s tracks can set any mood, from dubbed-out confusion to balls-to-the-wall bass madness, and everything in between.

His newest EP, Eye of the Storm, covers a range of emotions and influences, recalling artists like Kryptic Minds, Sub Swara and Liquid Stranger.  Dark and playful, the tracks are characterized by rising tension and immaculate detail: Unexpected noises emerge from hidden corners, basslines vanish into thin air, and drum patterns teeter on the verge of chaos.

“Listening to Eye of the Storm, you can tell Jonah knows how to rock a dance floor. The tracks are polished, contemporary and original.”

Dominic Owen, producer (The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, The Love Theme)

The EP opens with “Odin’s Beard.” In a fitting tribute to the god of both war and poetry, the track juxtaposes a headsplitting bass melody with moments of ethereal contemplation.

Moving on to the title cut, “Eye of the Storm” is dubstep from the insane asylum. With angry melodies, frenetic synths and a driving sub supporting the track, the diagnosis is full-fledged wobbling madness.

Toning things down momentarily is “Big Mouth.” Slicing and dicing rhythms, the mythical sea monster hits a bizarre dancehall vibe before finally tearing up its dinner and spitting out the bones.

Closing out the EP is “Hippies,” a refreshing and playful tune that winks at a certain unwashed demographic in the dubstep scene.  With a quirky groove and odd syncopation, you can almost smell the spaced out drum circle jamming along with Jonah.

“These tunes are fresh and exciting. Once I popped, I couldn’t stop!”

Cottonmouth (DJ, producer)

Eye of the Storm is Jonah’s first release on Permanent Damage Records. He has previously released other material, most recently the full-length album Dwaallicht, which combines world influences and breakbeats in a style reminiscent of Beats Antique.  Jonah is also one half of the curious chamber pop duo Squidlid, whose work defies comparison.

“Dwaallicht finds Jonah moving mightily between the huge syncopated rhythms of dubstep and more cinematic, fantastical excursions.”

Denise Benson (Eye Magazine)
Eye of the Storm is available now on Beatport and iTunes