Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Hill.
Hi Jay, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I originally got into electronic music back in California, where I’m from. I was working at a bar in Hollywood and was fascinated with the nightclub and rave scene – the culture, music and energy – everything it represented. One day, was having a chat with a local promoter who offered to give me DJ lessons, and I decided to take him up on it. He taught me how to spin using Serato and control vinyl records, which was just the start of my spinning evolution!
In 2011, I moved to New York City chasing bigger opportunities. Shortly after arriving, I got booked by a guy named Roger Lee (shout out!) —who owned a club lower east side Manhattan. From there the journey continued, the people I met and the opportunities to play were all destined by fate.
By 2014, I wanted to take things to the next level, so I enrolled in audio engineering school at the SAE Institute and started producing music. Stepping into the creative side of making records completely changed everything for me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think anything in this industry ever goes completely smoothly – but everything has unfolded exactly how it was meant to! Early on, a big part of the journey was just keeping up with the rapid evolution of music technology and learning how to translate my ideas into sound. At the same time, I had to prove myself as a female artist in a space that’s still largely male-dominated, which definitely pushed me to work harder and stay focused on my craft.
A lot of my growth has come from experience – playing both incredible sets and some that didn’t go as planned, and taking all of that back into the studio to refine my productions and develop my sound.
More recently, one of the biggest challenges has been being based in the U.S. while running my label, People of the Light (POTL). The scene is much stronger in Europe and other parts of the world, so it’s been about finding ways to bridge that gap while continuing to build something meaningful from here.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I curate and produce electronic music, and I also run a boutique label called People of the Light (POTL) records, which focuses primarily on underground house and techno.
What I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built. Every artist on the label brings something unique, and we’ve intentionally stayed small, prioritizing quality over quantity as we grow our catalog. A big milestone for us was hosting our first official label event in Brooklyn last December, which really brought that community to life (shout out to SuperJaimie!)
What sets us apart is that we’re not rigid about subgenres. Rather than defining ourselves strictly as house, techno, or progressive etc., we focus on the overall vibe and artistic vision. The artists we work with aren’t just chosen for their sound, they’re chosen because they align with the identity and direction we’re building together.
What matters most to you?
At the end of the day, success for me is creating a track that I’m genuinely proud of, or playing a set where people can let go, dance, and forget about the weight of the world for a while. Knowing that something I’ve created has connected with someone – that it gave them a moment of joy or escape – is what it’s really all about for me. . .
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lejayhill
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladyjayhill
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jayneuf
- Other: https://www.beatport.com/artist/jay-hill/398574
Image Credits
Tamila Mars (Philly), Mike Prieto (NYC/NJ), HDiamondPictures (Boston)
