JUSTIN IRBY'S MUSIC

Tell me a little bit about the track that dropped on January 31. You've said it's possibly your biggest one yet. What has you so hyped? What about this one makes you feel like it's going to be big?

So the track is called "Right Here," and this one’s got it all—it blends classic old-school house vibes with a fresh twist, featuring uplifting piano stabs, a deep acid bassline, and a vocal that just takes the energy to another level. What has me so hyped about this release is that it really reflects what I’ve been loving and playing out in clubs lately. It’s a bit more tailored for the dance floor, which is something I’ve been focusing on more in my productions. I think this one has the potential to be my biggest track yet because it just feels right—it’s got that balance of nostalgic, feel-good energy and a modern club edge.

The response from DJs and early listeners has been insane, and it’s already picking up some major support. Plus, getting it signed to Love & Other was a huge win for me—I’ve been sending them demos for two years, so finally landing a release with them makes this one feel extra special.

Your most popular track to date is "What's It Gonna Be" with MarkMate. Tell me a little bit about the making of this track. Are you surprised by its reception? Why do you think this one has resonated so much with listeners/the algorithm? I personally love the chopped and screwed chorus. It's so catchy.

I think you hit the nail on the head—it’s catchy. That’s really the main reason I think "What’s It Gonna Be" did so well on streaming and radio. It’s got that feel-good, infectious energy that just sticks with you. We also timed the release for summer, and that was very intentional—we wanted it to be something you’d hear at pool parties, festivals, and just blasting with the windows down.

I originally came to Mark with the idea for the track, and from there, he helped to really refine it to make it what it is. The vocal chops was a big part of that—it added this unique, almost hypnotic hook that people just gravitated toward. It’s always cool seeing which tracks take off, and this one definitely surprised me a bit, but at the same time, I get why it resonated so much. It’s just a fun, uplifting tune that’s easy to vibe with.

"What's It Gonna Be" may be your most popular song on Spotify. But what is your personal favorite? What's a deep cut you love that you wish got more attention? Why?

Don’t get me wrong—I love making catchy records, and "What’s It Gonna Be" was a fun one to create. But with "Right Here," I was really thinking about how it would hit in a club or festival setting while I was in the studio. That’s something I’m trying to be more intentional about moving forward—crafting tracks that DJs want to play and that really move a crowd.

JUSTIN IRBY'S INSPIRATIONS

Tell me about a song from another artist that got you into music. Why was it so impactful? What about its lyrical content made an impact on you? What affected you sonically?

It’s hard to pick just one song, but a lot of the early 2010s indie electronic and UK house records really pulled me into music. Artists like Zac Samuel, Shift K3Y, and Secondcity had a massive impact on me. Their tracks had this perfect blend of groove, melody, and energy—catchy enough to work on the radio but still built for the dance floor. That balance really stuck with me because it showed me how dance music could be more than just club bangers; it could have soul, emotion, and real songwriting behind it.

Sonically, what drew me in was the combination of punchy drums, bouncy basslines, and those chopped, soulful vocals that just hit differently. There was this raw yet polished feel to their music that made it timeless. It’s something I still think about in my own productions today—how to create something that not only moves people physically but also connects with them emotionally. That era of music shaped so much of my sound, and I’m always trying to capture that same feeling in my own way.

Name a song from another artist that had an influence on this new single. What inspired you? What textures or production techniques did you attempt to emulate?

Jengi's "Take U" was a big influence on this track. That record has such a perfect balance of groove and energy—it’s deep, bouncy, and just has this infectious swing to it that makes it impossible to stand still. The way the drums and bass lock in together creates such a driving yet effortless feel, and that was something I really wanted to capture in "Right Here."

I also loved how "Take U" uses chopped, soulful vocal stabs to add that extra layer of rhythm and emotion. That’s something I played around with in this track, making sure the vocal sat in the pocket and added movement rather than just being a top-line. Another thing I took inspiration from was the tempo—"Take U" sits at 135 BPM, which gives it that extra punch on the dance floor. I wanted to make sure "Right Here" was over 130 BPM as well to keep that same high-energy feel while still keeping it groovy and rolling. Sonically, I wanted this one to feel just as tight and club-ready—big low-end, crisp percussion, and a groove that keeps people locked in from start to finish.

What's a song from another artist that you can't stop listening to right now? Why?

It has to be Jengi—everything that guy makes is gold in my opinion. His sound is so fresh, bouncy, and just full of character. Every track he puts out has this insane groove and energy that feels effortless yet so well-crafted at the same time. Right now, I’ve had Jengi’s new track “Bass In Da Blood” on repeat—it’s an absolute dance floor weapon with next level production overall. Definitely someone I look up to as inspiration and a compass, and I’d love to connect with and work with him in the future!

Make sure to follow Justin Irby on Instagram. Learn more about him at JustinIrby.Media.