Jiminy Hop [Interview]

Ladies and gentlemen the time has come for you to meet Konstantin Kuranakov a. k. a. Jiminy Hop - underground music producer from the exotic Altay region settled down in Russia’s northern capital - the foggy Saint-Petersburg. Starting his DJ career in 2016 inspired by David August’s Boiler Room mix Konstantin keeps on growing as an artist, mastering his brand sound and producer flair. Besides the “Jiminy hop” - his main project, made his appearance at Dyo Atoma together with Sam Scheme doing mostly progressive house, deep house, melodic house and organic house recordings.

The vast popularity and love was brought by US, Argentinian, Mexican, Dutch and German audience as well as Russian musical “market” where he drops plenty of interesting projects in different genres. His only 4 years of production have already taken him to collaborate with labels such as Meanwhile, The Soundgarden, UV and WARPP, amongst others in turn earning the support of Alex O’Rion, Eelke Kleijn, Guy J, Hernan Cattaneo, Nora en Pure and Sahar Z.

Praveen Achary's Juicebox Music has also been a landing spot for Jiminy, with his label debut 'Tension' coming in 2021, a release followed shortly thereafter by a monster 3-track EP featuring "Contemplation", "Desire" & "Summered", which paved a path towards a rise in the progressive house fraternity. This week finds Jiminy returning to Juicebox Music with a remix of 'The Story We Tell' by Andres Moris, a rework which pays homage to the spirit of the original track but in his own style - expressing unique stories & visions through music.

Progressive Astronaut caught up with Jiminy to learn more about his remix of 'The Story We Tell', his background, electronic music in Russia, DJing, and much more. Enjoy.

Hi Konstantin, thanks for talking to us today. How has 2024 been for you so far?

Hi! Will be glad to answer the questions. 2024 was different for me. A lot of important events. Got married this summer for example. Hehe.

Let’s look back on the year up to now, what gig of yours has stood out the most and why?

There were two unforgettable gigs in 2024. The first one was at the Signal Festival where I played the dj set consisting of very different tracks, not just progressive house. Actually I want my fans to know that I am a very versatile DJ. And the second one is happening right now in Sri Lanka where I performed a B3B set with Echo Daft and Kryptone. It was awesome!

Now let’s look at tracks (not your own), what is a track or tracks which have come out this year that has impressed you the most and why?

It’s very hard to answer the question. I think the track hasn’t come out yet for me.

Your bio states one of your inspirations to become a DJ was David August’s Boiler Room mix from 2014. What was it about the mix that had such a strong impact on you? And is this a set you still re-visit today?

Actually I haven’t played it for a couple of years already. Now I am looking for something different in music. Some fresh and new. It’s very hard. But those days the set of David was very inspiring for me because of the mood of the set. Very melancholic and groovy.

For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you?

This part did not pass me by. Actually I have a couple of tracks which are copies of others tracks. But it was a lot of years ago. I passed that period. So now it is very hard to make new tracks because now it takes a lot of time to find an idea for a new track. By copying you do it fast.

How did growing up in Russia affect your music taste and direction into becoming a DJ and producer?

It has affected me very much. I changed my style from dreamy to a more dry sound because of the local audience. In Russia people love minimalistic and groovy sound so I added it to my tracks.

Who from your home country inspired you the most early on and why were they inspirational for you?

Volen Sentir definitely. I am inspired by the original sound design, melodies and harmonies. They have a fresh sound with original ideas. In every new track you have something new to learn.

What are some of your best memories from first going to clubs? Were there specific nights or sets that really made you feel you wanted to pursue electronic music?

The biggest impression was in 2007-2008 in a local club in a small town where I lived. I just started to know about electronic music. It was electro house and dubstep.

How would you describe the music you make? And are you always producing with the dancefloor in mind?

Very good question. Because of the last couple of years, most of my tracks are made for the dance floor. But I feel it makes me a little bit uncomfortable because of the limits in the genres of electronic music. People on the dance floor expect a certain vibe and you as a producer should give that vibe to them. But I made a couple of tracks not for the dance floor (Coruto and Breakform on Univack). I hope there are people who really enjoy the tracks.

You’ve made tremendous progress as a producer in a relatively short amount of time. What advice would you have for new producers struggling to find their way, either technically or creatively?

I tell every time I get a question. “Just finish your track and move on”. You can look for “the perfect snare” endlessly. Especially when you just start producing music. So finish your track and move on.

You have a new remix of ‘The Story We Tell’ by Andres Moris which is out now via Praveen Achary’s Juicebox Music. Tell us a bit about the remix and what sort of vibe you were going for on it.

As in most of my tracks I tried to make a groovy remix with melodic dropdown. I like when a track has such a contrast. The drop is a little bit experimental but it is great. You should definitely check it out.

Let our readers inside your studio for a moment, what is your current setup and what studio tools are featured heavily in your recent productions and more specifically on your ‘The Story We Tell’ remix.

There is nothing special actually. Just a laptop, headphones (new ones which are not easy to get used to) and a lot of desire to write a good track. I always like to make things simple.

Juicebox Music is a label you’ve released on before, you’ve delivered four original productions across two releases since making your debut in 2021 but this is your first remix, what is it about the label that makes it such a good home for your music?

I think it’s about the people who manage the label and people who are fans of the label.

On the subject of remixing, when you are presented with a new remix project, what criteria do you consider before you decide whether or not you can get a good version out of it? And ultimately whether you decide to do it or not?

I just feel it. I can’t describe it actually. I just listen to the idea and my body tells me am I in or not. Sometimes people send me the track which don’t have the main idea, the main part of the track, so in these cases I usually don’t remix.

Shifting to DJing for a moment, what were some of the main challenges and goals when starting out as a DJ and how have they changed over time?

At first, it was hard to feel the crowd. You don’t have a lot of tracks which you’re 100% sure of. The more you are playing the more the tracks you have.

What is it about DJing, compared to producing your own music, that makes it interesting for you?

In DJing you feel the feedback with emotions, and not just numbers and words.

Can you tell me a bit about how your work as a DJ has influenced your view of music, your way of listening to tracks and perhaps also, your work as a producer?

As I said earlier, DJing helped me to understand what people expect on the dance floor. I like to change the mood of the crowd from emotional to dark and energetic and back to emotional.

How much prep do you put into the sets you play, or are they spontaneous for the most part?

As a rule, I prepare the set. At least I always have the main list of the tracks and on the stage I can go strictly according to the list or I can start improvising.

Current Top five tracks in your sets?

Jiminy Hop - Shambhala

Krasa Rosa - Caravan

Jiminy Hop - Revizor

Kyotto - Voyage

HAUMS - Losing Myself (Jiminy Hop Remix)

If you are not DJing, producing or socializing at clubs, where do we find you? And doing what?

Very good question. Cooking maybe, web development, programmer.

If you could set up an event with a line-up of five artists of your choice, who would you book and what set times would you ascribe to the Artists?

David August LIVE

Sebastien Leger

Volen Sentir

Solomun

Alex Banks

What’s something people do not know about you?

I am an introvert. A king of introverts hehe.

What TV series have you been enjoying recently and what are some of your all time favourites?

 Recent - white lotus, devs

All time favs - big bang theory, breaking bad, californication

Many years was watching but now not really - friends, it’s always sunny in Philadelphia, man seeking woman

Apart from music, what makes you happiest?

 When my wife is happy.

What can we look forward to from you in 2025? Any releases or gigs you are looking forward to?

I expect a big release on Thunderlab Collective and something very strong is born right now. I don’t know yet what label it will be released on.

Jiminy's remix of 'The Story We Tell' by Andres Moris is available now via Juicebox Music: https://tinyurl.com/4rbxt75k