Back in 2005, progressive trance group Above & Beyond founded its record label Anjunabeats. Fast forward to this week, the record label is now crossing the nation on a two month-long tour. Bostonians took part in the Anjuna experience Thursday, when the tour made its stop at the House of Blues.
“Our Biggest Ever North American Tour” began its journey last Friday and will continue until March 26. Label artists Andrew Bayer, Grum, Ilan Bluestone and Jason Ross will be sharing their sounds with 21 cities, with extra support from Myon & Shane 54 and Seven Lions on select dates.
Anjuna artist Jason Ross explained his excitement for the tour and the show as “unreal.”
Ross, the newest member of the Anjunabeats label and alumnus of Berklee College of Music, seems to be something of a rising star. His music has graced the sets of well-known performers such as Armin Van Buuren and Markus Schulz, and his live performances have accompanied the likes of Tiësto and Avicii. And Thursday night, he was back in Boston.
Ross, who originally started making music when he was just 13 years old, said he recognized his passion immediately.
“Before I even knew what a club was or what [disc jockeys] do, I knew I wanted to be that guy making that music,” Ross said. “… it just resonated with me so deeply.”
For an artist who began mixing on a digital audio workshop using pre-made loops, Ross said he began taking his career more seriously during his time at San Diego State University. He released his track “Burma” on Monster Tunes in 2014, and that’s when it all changed.
Now based in Los Angeles, Ross said there’s no question his sound here to stay.
“Above & Beyond picked it up [and] they played it on [their podcast] three weeks in a row, which is unheard of for a non-Anjunabeats track to be played that many times,” Ross said.
After debuting on “Group Therapy,” the podcast of Above & Beyond, and sending the label sample tracks including the now-popular “Elements,” Ross was signed to Anjunabeats.
“I’ve always naturally gone in that direction of that Anjunabeats sound,” Ross said. “[My music] is powerful, energetic and emotional.”
Aside from Above & Beyond, Ross credits Bluestone and Bayer for often inspiring his music. He also credits Anjunabeats with always supporting his creative decisions.
Regarding Anjunabeats’ tour, Ross said playing with the artists he looked up to in the past is a surreal feeling.
“The guys I’m going on tour with … I’ve just naturally looked up to them, so I think they’ve all kind of played a part in the music that I make,” he said. “To get to be on tour with these guys is just a real honor.”
In preparation for the tour, Ross has been in the studio nonstop making new music, which he said he is excited to debut on tour. He said fans can expect a mix of new and old within his set.
“I always like the surprise element, and you know, kind of throw [fans] off in an unexpected, yet cool way,” Ross said. “So I think they’ll definitely hear the tracks they know and love, like ‘Atlas’ and ‘Cairo’ and all that stuff, but I’m always going to be throwing in the surprises that they wouldn’t see coming.”
Ross, who last played a few months ago in Australia, is excited for what’s to come both on the tour and later in 2016, when he will continue to tour with Andrew Bayer, Grum, Ilan Bluestone and more until the end of March. The tour will bring him across the U.S. and Canada.
“Anyone that comes to the show is going to be in for quite a ride,” Ross said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
