NYC-based DJ and producer JSMN, originally from Detroit, brings a driving blend of hypnotic hardgroove, bouncy techno, and touches of hard trance.
Photo credit: JSMN – Instagram
Her sound has taken her across stages worldwide, from E1 London and The Cause to PRYSM Chicago, FLASH DC, and Elsewhere Brooklyn, with appearances alongside JSTJR, Funk Tribu, OGUZ, AIROD, Shlømo, Eli Brown, Lilly Palmer, and more. With releases on Kaligo Records, Crudo Audio, and EXTIMA, she continues to carve her own lane within the international techno circuit.
As one of the few South Asian women active in the scene, JSMN approaches music with both cultural awareness and a focus on universal dancefloor connection. With her latest EP ‘Edge of Silence’ out now, and milestone performances including her California debut at Escape Halloween’s official afterparty, she is stepping into a pivotal new chapter.
In this conversation, JSMN opens up about her roots in Bhangra, her evolving artistry, and what lies ahead in 2025 and beyond.
EG: Jasmine, welcome to EG! Where are you joining us from today, and what’s been keeping you inspired outside of music lately?
JSMN: Thanks for the invite. I’m based in New York City, and honestly, the energy here never really stops. Even just walking around, there’s this constant movement and unpredictability that keeps me inspired outside of the club. I love people watching, and spending as much time as I can in Central Park on weekends when I’m not away.
EG: You grew up in Bhangra before diving into techno. What did that world teach you about rhythm and energy that still lives in your productions today?
JSMN: Yes! I was even part of a competitive team in college. Bhangra is all about drive and movement, and is made for dancing. The way the drums and percussion lead the energy really stuck with me. Even when I’m making darker or more hypnotic techno, that instinct for groove and momentum always shows up.
EG: Your tracks lean heavily into percussion. Do you see drums as just a foundation, or as the lead character in your music?
JSMN: For me, percussion is the lead character, but the drums are also the foundation that keeps people locked to the dancefloor. Everything else in a track can shift or change, but the drums are what carry the energy through the night.
EG: Opening for Eli Brown at E1 London and headlining at Smoke & Mirrors Chicago this year are big milestones. What did those nights reveal to you about where you are in your journey?
JSMN: It’s hard to put into words how much those shows meant to me. Everyone knows London is my favorite city; I even spent two months living there a couple of summers ago, so playing E1 was surreal. I actually went to that venue as a solo raver about six years ago, and stepping behind the decks this time was such a full-circle moment. Back then, I never would’ve believed it. And Smoke & Mirrors was the first time I felt like, “Okay, I can really hold a room on my own terms.” Chicago has also quickly become one of my favorite crowds to play for because the people are so warm. Both nights made me realize I’m further along than I sometimes give myself credit for, but also that I’m only scratching the surface.
“I want to be a reference point for future artists who might not see themselves represented yet; especially in the US rave scene”
EG: When you’re behind the decks, how do you decide how much to lean into the shadowy, hypnotic side of your sound versus the lighter, bouncier energy?
JSMN: It depends on the room. I read the crowd and adjust, but I like threading the two together. It keeps things interesting to go deep and driving, then flipping it with some bouncy, trance-inspired energy. That tension between shadow and release feels really natural to me. When I first discovered the kind of techno I love, I didn’t even know it existed or that I needed it until I felt it. And once you have that experience, you just want to bring that same feeling to others.
EG: You’ve mentioned walking into a German club and noticing everyone dancing almost on the offbeat. How did that moment change the way you think about rhythm on the dancefloor?
JSMN: It was eye-opening. I realized rhythm isn’t just about what’s obvious but the spaces in between. People can lock into a groove in ways you don’t expect, and that permitted me to experiment with syncopation and off-rhythms in my tracks and sets.
EG: There are still very few South Asian women in techno. Do you feel a responsibility to represent, or is it more about showing up authentically and letting the music speak for itself?
JSMN: Both. That reality has pushed me to carve my own lane. I want to be a reference point for future artists who might not see themselves represented yet, especially in the US rave scene. At the same time, I don’t feel it’s necessary to directly incorporate Bhangra or South Asian instruments into my tracks, unless I choose to. My goal is to create techno that stands on its own, universally, while still carrying the percussive drive and hypnotic energy my heritage gave me. For me, representation is about being present and visible in spaces where South Asian voices are still rare, and doing that authentically, without feeling confined to one expression of identity.
EG: If someone who has never seen you play walked into one of your sets, what do you hope they’d take away about who you are as an artist?
JSMN: I’d hope I inspire them to dig for more music or artists in that lane, and that they dance so hard they forget their problems; whether it’s something hypnotic or more bouncy, just getting lost in a flow state with me.
EG: Beyond techno, what piece of non-musical art, a book, a film, or even a painting, has deeply influenced the way you approach your sound?
JSMN: Can you guess what my favorite movie genre is? Thrillers. The way they build tension without giving everything away at once really influences how I structure my tracks; keeping people hooked with atmosphere and suspense throughout. Even if there isn’t a huge drop, having changes, even subtle ones, is super important.
“My goal is to create techno that stands on its own, universally, while still carrying the percussive drive and hypnotic energy my heritage gave me”
EG: Imagine one of your tracks suddenly became a worldwide club anthem. What’s the most unexpected or surreal place you’d love to hear it being played?
JSMN: I think it’d be wild to hear one of my tracks in a random warehouse in some small town I’d least expect… like, who decided to bump this here? And yes, you get the guest list for life. Or even someone out in the countryside who you’d least expect to be into techno, but that’s the best part. Sometimes it can feel like you have to look a certain way to like this music, but I love going against that stereotype. Music is universal, and you don’t have to look like the music you listen to.
EG: If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice before stepping into the scene, what would it be?
JSMN: I’d tell myself to work through the imposter syndrome and find that inner confidence, because nothing is ever going to be perfect. You’ve put in the work and deserve it just as much as the next person…and honestly, I still remind myself of this often. I’d also say stop spending so much time overpreparing instead of actually playing out, because the real growth only happens once you start getting in front of crowds.
EG: Looking ahead, what’s the bigger vision you’re chasing, what should fans be watching out for in 2025 and beyond?
JSMN: This fall, I’ll be closing the official after party for Escape Halloween Festival, which also marks my California debut. It’s a huge moment for me, because not many Punjabi women have had the chance to play something on that scale in the States. What’s made the difference is finding people in the industry willing to take a chance on me, and that’s something I don’t take lightly.
Beyond that, I want to keep expanding internationally and connecting with crowds in new cities. And on the music side, I’ve got collaborations in the works and my next EP, ‘Edge of Silence,’ just came out!
JSMN’s ‘Edge of Silence’ is out now on DistroKid. Stream and download here.
Follow JSMN: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
