Justin Irby: The Arizona DJ Reviving House Music with “Right Here”

When it comes to summer vibes or winter dance parties, the music of Justin Irby is the perfect accompaniment. This talented DJ and producer from Arizona has been diligently crafting infectious house grooves, catching the attention of both fans and industry tastemakers alike.

Justin Irby’s unique approach to house music features everything a dance music lover could desire. His tracks are rich with groovy melodies, captivating basslines, and soulful vocals that infuse a pop sensibility, all while drawing inspiration from the nostalgic elements of ’90s house. It’s easy to see why he has found his place on labels like Solotoko, Never Worry Records, DND Records, and Perfect Havoc in the past year.

As the new year approaches, Justin is poised to kick off 2025 with a bang by releasing his debut track “Right Here” on Toolroom Records’ Love & Other imprint. Scheduled for release on January 31, this high-energy single is sure to electrify dancefloors and marks a significant milestone for a DJ who has long admired Toolroom’s music.

To dive deeper into his journey and creative process, we spoke with Justin Irby leading up to the release of “Right Here.” Read on for the full interview, pre-save the track, and enjoy his exclusive guest mix on SoundCloud.

Listen to EDMID Guest Mix 454 || Justin Irby on SoundCloud:

Hi Justin, thanks for joining us today! Let’s start with your background. Who were your earliest influences in electronic music? Can you recall the first track that caught your attention?

I might be showing my age, but my entry into electronic music didn’t begin with the usual EDM heavyweights like Avicii or Calvin Harris. While I appreciated their music, I was truly captivated by indie artists blending electronic elements in innovative ways. In high school around 2013, I found myself hooked on acts like M83, Empire of the Sun, and even lesser-known talents like Classixx. Their music felt immersive and creative, sparking my curiosity and opening my eyes to the vast world of electronic music.

Fast forward a few years, and the moment that solidified my desire to not only DJ but produce music came during what I call the ‘golden age’ of UK house music from 2012 to 2016. As I entered college, tracks like Shift K3Y’s ‘Touch,’ Secondcity’s ‘I Wanna Feel,’ and Zac Samuel’s remix of ‘Say Something’ were omnipresent. The lush piano chords and infectious melodies resonated deeply with me.

Looking back, that period was pivotal for my musical journey, shaping my tastes and heavily influencing the music I create today.

What motivated you to transition into being a DJ and producer? Did your passion for dance music deepen over time?

This might be a bit lengthy, but my dedication to dance music developed gradually. My transition into DJing and producing wasn’t immediate; it was more of a gradual process. During college, I balanced work and studies while pursuing my passion for music. I had friends who were also eager to learn DJing and production. Though our tastes varied, we bonded over a shared commitment to improving our skills as ‘bedroom DJs and producers.’

Eventually, we progressed from practicing in our rooms to performing at house parties. The energy of performing live and feeling the crowd’s reaction was exhilarating. That experience motivated me to take my craft more seriously, leading us to network with established DJs and promoters for opening sets.

If I had to pinpoint the catalyst for my leap into music, it would be the cumulative experiences over those four years of DJing and producing. After graduating, I found myself unfulfilled in my corporate job while still pursuing DJing as a hobby. I reached a turning point where I decided to fully commit to producing and DJing. From that moment on, I dedicated myself to daily practice, even if it was just working on a short loop, knowing that persistence would eventually yield results.

It’s only in recent years that I’ve started to see progress. The key takeaway for your readers is that success doesn’t happen overnight. If you’re passionate, it requires time, dedication, and consistent effort to improve. When the results start to manifest, it makes every moment worthwhile.

Now, let’s talk about your upcoming release, “Right Here,” set to drop on Toolroom’s Love & Other imprint on January 31. What emotions did you experience when you got the track signed?

The emotions were incredible—I genuinely teared up when I received the email saying they wanted to sign my demo. The team expressed their love for the track, and I was overwhelmed by what it meant to me. When I began sharing original music under my name in 2022, I admired Toolroom’s discography and aspired to be part of it. Many of my inspirations have released on this label, and I set a goal to join their ranks.

It took three years of submitting countless demos and facing many ‘no’s along the way. It was disheartening at times, but I pushed through because I believed in my music and continued to improve. When I finally received that ‘yes,’ it felt like everything aligned. It was a reminder that nothing comes easily, and persistence pays off. That moment will stay with me forever.

I appreciate the classic house vibe combined with rave elements and powerful vocals in your track. Can you share the production process behind “Right Here”?

Thank you! I aimed to capture that classic house essence with a modern pop twist—infusing it with ravey elements and strong vocals. The production journey for “Right Here” was enjoyable. I started with the vocal hook, which set the tone, and built the groove around punchy 909 drums and a driving bassline to maintain energy.

From there, I layered euphoric chords using the iconic Korg M1 piano and included a rave-inspired acid lead. I focused on balancing the track for club and festival settings while ensuring it sounded radio-friendly. Experimenting with textures I hadn’t used in previous productions helped keep the sound fresh while staying true to my style. The acid lead added a nostalgic touch, giving the track its distinctive vibe. I’m extremely proud of how it turned out, and it’s gratifying to know the energy resonates with listeners.

Your recent releases on DND RECS, Uprise, and others focus on house music, yet you’ve also created faster edits of tracks like Charli XCX’s “360” and Lola Young’s “Messy.” Do you think exploring higher tempos enhances your mixes? Can we expect official speed house tracks from you soon?

Absolutely! I appreciate you noticing that. While I’ve primarily worked within the 122-126 BPM range typical for house music, I’ve recently been drawn to faster tempos—aiming for that 135-140 BPM sweet spot. The broader dance music scene is embracing higher tempos, and I’m excited to be part of that shift.

With my recent edits, I focused on making subtle transitions to this new style without alienating fans who enjoy my earlier work. It’s essential to make the transition feel organic, preserving the essence of a “Justin Irby” record while adapting to contemporary trends and my personal preferences.

This shift to faster tempos is a conscious effort to evolve from a radio-centric sound to one more suited for the club and festival environments. The increased pace gives my tracks a more driving energy, perfect for those settings.

For 2025, I’m committed to focusing on tracks above 130 BPM. My first release, “Right Here,” is set at 130 BPM to gradually introduce fans to this high-energy direction, and there will certainly be more originals with faster tempos. I’m eager to explore this path and see how it resonates both in the studio and on the dance floor.

Purple Notes Radio has reached its 12th episode! What inspired this series, and how does it feel to have completed a full year of episodes?

I can hardly believe I’ve made it this far! It’s been an incredible journey, and I genuinely look forward to curating and recording each month’s episode of Purple Notes Radio. The series was created to showcase some of my favorite releases each month—whether from mainstream artists or underground talents. It also allows my listeners to gain insight into the styles I’m currently drawn to, which influences my live sets and original productions.

Completing a full year feels amazing, especially since I didn’t expect to maintain such consistency. It’s been a rewarding experience, and I’m excited about the future. This year, I plan to elevate the series—perhaps by live-streaming episodes on YouTube and Twitch while also posting them on SoundCloud. I’m considering including guest mixes from some of my idols to keep things fresh and engaging.

There’s a lot to look forward to, and I’m eager to see how the Purple Notes brand evolves. Eventually, I’d love to expand it into a full-fledged record label and host events under the brand. Starting with the monthly mix series allows me to build a solid foundation without overextending myself. I want everything to feel organic and tasteful, growing naturally without rushing.

What key lesson have you learned as you’ve built your career that you’d like to share with aspiring artists?