RB Exclusive Interview: JIMII Talks Inspirations, Label Development, & the AZ Underground

I find it most interesting to look at the progression of the Arizona scene through the artists who choose to narrow their focus, favoring a specific identity over a broad, generic appeal. JIMII, a 25-year-old producer and DJ born and raised in the desert, represents this disciplined approach to creativity. By grounding his work in a vintage, European sound and launching his own imprint, he’s navigated the tricky transition from a local opener to an artist with a distinct vision.

Every artist has a “pivot” point, a moment where the intended direction of their life is interrupted by a deeper calling. For JIMII, this occurred during his freshman year of college at a Zeds Dead show. Witnessing the command the duo held over the crowd was a revelation in the power of curation. “I remember thinking, ‘there’s 15,000 people out here and every single one of them is just being controlled by what they do.’” This epiphany was so immediate that he ordered his first controller, a DDJ 400, during the Uber ride home from the venue.

As a self-described introvert, JIMII realized early on that DJing allowed him to be “part of the party” while maintaining his own space and focusing on the music. Built up through playing frat house ragers in college and countless hours of bedroom practice, his first experience playing a proper club was mixing at a party held at Shady Park, which he considers a critical learning moment. 

As he became more involved, he risked disappointing his parents by dropping out of college to pursue music full-time. He ultimately earned their trust, a factor that continues to fuel his drive. “I made a promise to my mom and my dad, so I’m gonna keep it.” He also draws inspiration from his older sister, who chased her own dream to become a celebrity hairstylist. “She was the one who gave me the vision that if I really want to do something I can do it. I’ll make it happen.”

As JIMII’s career progressed, he faced the multi-layered question of how to evolve a sound that is both personally satisfying and professionally sustainable. Originally playing bass house and tech house, he’s grown into a deep, groovier style. “I like the vintage kind of sound, sounds of the 90s,” he notes, describing his work as “a lot more based on groove than big synths and stuff like that.”

He says his ear subconsciously prioritizes the loop, with a heavy focus on the percussive elements that allows for a deeper resonance with the listener. While some shy away from repetition, JIMII embraces it as an essential quality of a good house tune. “When people ask, why’s this so repetitive? I say, it’s my favorite part about it. You get something to hypnotize you a little bit.” This dedication to the craft is unwavering; he balances a forty-hour work week in escrow with a rigorous studio schedule, often utilizing his lunch breaks to progress his project.

When JIMII gets stuck on a track, he relies on a simple strategy: changing his environment. “Sometimes I’ll just go sit in my backyard in the grass with my laptop… or I’ll go take a drive and sit in my car.” For his mental health outside the studio, he loves to fish with his dad and golf, hobbies that allow his brain to go “completely elsewhere.”

After being told his music was good but didn’t “fit on the label,” JIMII launched his own imprint, EYE3 Records. The name is rooted in the three I’s in his artist name and a family inside joke. “My dad’s side of my family is super Italian, so they’re always calling me Jimmy Three Eyes.’”

Mentored by James Pitch, JIMII built a platform that is staunchly “artist first.” “My whole philosophy with it is to put the benefit of the artist who makes the tracks over everything else. Over my benefit as the owner or the label’s benefit,” he states.

The goal of EYE3 is to serve as a creative outlet that treats sound as “art over music,” where artists are “totally free to create whatever they want, and not conform to a sound or a vibe.” This spirit of experimentation is evidenced in his upcoming release, “Jims Mission,” a breakbeat track coming to Dialed Records on January 9th. By sampling disparate elements like Darth Vader and Van Halen, JIMII continues to push the boundaries of his identity. “I can make other stuff and make it sound cool but still make it sound like me,” he notes.

In his live performances, JIMII is a proponent of “knowing the slot,” finding a progression of sound that enhances the audience’s experience beyond just what meets the eye. He has strategically shifted to prioritize impactful bookings over frequent gigs, a move highlighted by his high-energy set opening for Beltran at Sunbar. “That was my best, if not, my favorite set. It just felt super good to just rip to a big crowd… I came in with a vengeance behind it and just tried to bring it as correct as I could,” he recalls.

Looking ahead to 2026, the horizon is expanding. His long-term goal is to bring his sound to Europe, particularly the UK and Dutch scenes from which he draws heavy inspiration. He sees his “overseas sound” as an advantage, noting that many support videos he receives are from outside the US.

With his first international gig at the Ocaso Festival in Costa Rica, a stacked lineup of releases on his label, and a massive 8,000% growth in Spotify streams this year, JIMII is proving that there is a profound resonance in staying hungry and prioritizing art. He says his goal is to create an atmosphere of “true, true freedom” where “you could be a billionaire or you could be homeless… you could walk into my show and I want you to have a good time.”

Catch JIMII’s upcoming direct support set for Braydon Terzo at Darkstar on January 16th.

Connect with JIMII: Instagram | X | Spotify | SoundCloud