After a period of personal change that included becoming a father and relocating from Berlin to Caparica, Jonas Saalbach found himself rebuilding his relationship with music from the ground up. The result is Data Romance, his debut on Purified Records – a release that marks a clear return to instinct, focus, and emotional precision. Written during six months of near-daily studio work, the EP reflects a renewed clarity in his sound and a conscious decision to block out industry noise in favor of something more personal.
In this conversation, Saalbach opens up about losing and rediscovering creative connection, why talent alone has never been enough, and how he approaches longevity in an era where visibility often competes with substance.
He also reflects on what gets rewarded in electronic music today, the evolution of his Radikon imprint after 100 releases, and why playing the long game still feels like the only path that makes sense to him.
Jonas Saalbach Interview
You are debuting on Purified Records with your Data Romance EP — talk to us a little about the EP and why the label feels like a good fit for your productions.
The last two years were quite intense on a personal level. I became a father and we moved from Berlin to Caparica in Portugal. During that time, my focus wasn’t fully on music and I felt like I had lost the connection to it a little.
In the last six months, though, I’ve been producing a lot – almost every day. I could feel myself finding my way back and building a clearer vision of how my music should sound. The Data Romance EP is the first release in a while that I’m truly convinced by and that really sounds like me. I was able to block out the noise around me and just produce – without thinking about whether the tracks are made for the club or for listening at home.
I’m very happy that Nora signed the EP. Purified is a beautiful label for melodic and emotional music, and I’m sure there will be more to come in the future.
What has helped you move forward when things didn’t feel fair or obvious – was it persistence, community, timing, or something else?
I’ve always had ups and downs in my career, like most artists who turn their passion into a profession. Before being a DJ, there wasn’t really another career path for me – I’ve always been making music in one way or another. That’s also what keeps me going.
For me, producing and playing music isn’t just a job, it’s a life project. And the community around me has always helped me not to lose motivation when things weren’t going well. Having that support and talks makes a big difference.
Do you remember when you first realised that talent alone doesn’t guarantee anything — and how did that realisation shape the way you approach your career today?
I never really believed that talent alone guarantees anything.
For me, substance comes from talent, a clear vision, and continuous work on a project. Still, I feel that the focus has shifted over the years. In the past, music itself was more in the foreground than things like media output. Today, it often feels almost the other way around.
How do you stay grounded and focused on your own voice when the playing field can feel uneven?
I try not to focus too much on things I can’t control. It doesn’t always work, of course, but I’m aware of it and working on it. As an artist, I follow my instincts and create what I personally love. In a very loud time, that’s not always easy. But it also makes me realize more and more how important that inner focus is for me.
What do you feel does get rewarded right now in electronic music — and where do you see space for artists who want to build something long-term and meaningful?
I think what gets rewarded right now is originality that stands out strongly enough to set trends. When you create a sound or an idea that others start picking up and developing further, that’s a real form of success – and things can move very quickly from there. On the other side, it’s also possible to build a strong DJ career by developing a clear brand where the music is not the focus.
Neither of these approaches really defines my path. I’ve been working on my project for a long time and I see myself more as someone playing the long game. I focus on consistent music production and promoting it through honest content that feels natural to me.
The scene has grown a lot, which makes it harder to stand out. But if you stay persistent and continue following your vision, I believe it will eventually pay off. I’m convinced of that.
Tell us a little bit about the journey of your Radikon imprint, and what are you striving for with your own label?
With Radikon, we recently celebrated our 100th release, which we’re very proud of. We’re a small team and very close friends, and it simply feels good to work on the label together.
In the beginning, there were only a few artists releasing on Radikon, and over time it kept growing. Now we feel like going a bit back to our roots. In the future, we want to focus more on a smaller circle again. Working on a project with friends is what gives it the most meaning and enjoyment for us.
If you close your eyes and think back to your most epic moment on the dance floor, where was it and what made it so special?
I couldn’t really say which one was the most epic moment, but some of the most powerful dance floor experiences I’ve had were at Fusion Festival in Germany. The stages are beautifully designed, each with its own atmosphere, and the overall vibe is unlike anywhere else.
The post Jonas Saalbach on Rediscovering His Sound and Debuting on Purified Records appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.