A Perfectionist’s Path: A Q&A with Jono Stephenson

 sits at the intersection of contemporary club culture and visual design. A multidisciplinary artist and producer originally from South Africa, Jono blends melodic techno with influences from architecture, fashion, film, and street art — creating a body of work rooted in texture and detail rather than digital polish.

His early musical foundation came from a home filled with live instruments and classical influence, setting the stage for a project now recognized on a global level. His breakout track “I Can’t Save You” quickly passed 1 million streams, and he has since released on respected imprints like Zamna Records, Purified, Impressum, and Siona. His 2024 release “Lose Myself” on Siona features emotionally resonant vocals that continue to gain traction among new listeners.

The last couple of years have marked a pivotal stretch for Stephenson, with new collaborations lined up with Korolova and Sevenn, and continued momentum following the release of “Memory Leak” with Henri Bergmann and Layla Benitez. His productions have earned radio support from BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong, Virgin Radio, and KISS FM, and coverage in publications like Dancing Astronaut, Deep House London, Ibiza Spotlight, and FAZEmag.

With a global tour schedule underway, Stephenson continues to share his analog-forward sound and immersive vision with dancefloors around the world.

South Africa

melodic techno

melodic house

progressive house

Jono Stephenson

Italy

19:26

indie dance

Henri Bergmann

PAGODA

Doubleheader

Gray Area is pioneering the "Doubleheader" event series, drawing inspiration from back-to-back baseball games to showcase artists with similar styles but unique fan bases. By having one artist follow another and culminating in a collaborative back-to-back (B2B) set, Doubleheader aims to create a powerful platform for musical discovery and cross-pollination. Embracing the "B2B" spirit, the initiative seeks to introduce audiences to new sounds while strengthening the dance music ecosystem.

United States

The Room at Superior Ingredients

DOUBLEHEADER: 19:26 & Henri Bergmann

United Kingdom

Rebelski

nyc club

Toribio

Indonesia

bass house

indonesian edm

tech house

Bleu Clair

Germany

raw techno

FJAAK

israeli techno

organic house

Khen

downtempo

electronica

indietronica

instrumental hip hop

jazztronica

nu jazz

trip hop

Bonobo

Seb Fontaine

Romania

Luzi Tudor

Australia

australian techno

Skin On Skin

uk tech house

Eskuche

Jono Stephenson

Articles

Other artists