Last weekend Topher Jones, an Indianapolis native, provided the sweet House Music for Blu lounge. Living in Chicago now, Topher Jones is focused on creating and working on his music. “Hard work trumps everything. Be kind, be courteous, be passionate and be grateful. Hard work with that mentality and a little bit of talent can go a long way.” says Jones. He has had a big year in 2014 playing in clubs and festivals. When he returned to Indianapolis, our resident DJ and co-owner of KID presents, Slater Hogan got a chance to chat with him for a bit. Make sure your also check out his Soundcloud for some music. You can also like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

Hogan: You have had great success producing and performing as Topher Jones. Why did you decide to create the King Arthur moniker?

Jones: It was time for a change. Something new and fresh. I wanted to branch out form what I was known for as Topher Jones and explore.

Hogan: Traveling around the world as a DJ allows you to have a unique view of the global EDM scene, that most fans of the genre do not get to experience. Talk a little bit about the popularity of dance music overseas versus what you see at the clubs and festivals stateside.

Jones: I think it’s amazing how dance music is such a global thing. It’s cool to see how different characteristics about the music really resonates in different areas of the world. I think dance music is really big with this up and coming generation in America. It will be interesting to see how that changes things moving forward, as it’s the first time this has really happened here. Where in the UK and Europe, kids have been growing up with dance music as part of their culture of a long time.

Hogan: When John and I used to travel, we had some interesting local meals prepared for us. What’s the weirdest thing you have eating while on the road?

Jones: Haha. This is a good one, but I usually eat pretty low key stuff on the road. I don’t want to leave any room for getting sick or anything!

Hogan: I never set out to “make it” as a DJ or producer, it was always a hobby that just slowly took off and turned into a career. You went to Depauw University. Did you graduate? When did you realize that music was a viable option for what career choice? What advice can you give to some of our college kids here in Indy that are interested in following that same path.

Jones: I did graduate. I majored in Philosophy and minored in Economics. I knew when I got my first pair of turntable at the age of 15, that I wanted to Dj as a career if possible. I wasn’t sure how that would happen, but I had such a passion for it. The moment when I realized I really needed to give it a go was when I did a remix with Black Jarrell of Snow Patrol for “Chasing Cars.” That song was played by every major DJ at the time and really was an eye opening moment for me.

Hogan: You have a new EP coming out on Ultra Records. Tell us about it, and what else do you have coming out of the lab?

Jones: The EP was something I came up with a few months ago. I loved a lot of the stuff I did as Topher Jones, but just felt like they were better ideas than fully polished products. My production level on the Topher Jones stuff wasn’t as quality as it needed to be. So I wanted to breathe new life into some ideas, that I really loved with new and fresh production.

I’ve been working on so much music. I have another remix for the Chainsmokers lined up and also for Sam Feldt. So much original music finished up, but just figuring out the right way to put that out. Lots of music in 2016!!!