This time last year, Jonas Blue did not exist.
Now, thanks to the breakaway success of a debut single – an infectious tropical-house cover of Tracy Chapman's Fast Car, which has charted in more than 50 countries – the 26-year-old could soon be a household name.
He didn't exist, because that's not his real name. Jonas is the stage name of Guy Robin, a former pop producer and songwriter for hire, known for back-room work with acts including X Factor contestant Laura White.
Fast Car is the latest step in a shrewd musical ascent. Trained formally on the flute from the age of 8, Robin, now 26, began DJing at 11, because "when I got to high school, to be playing an instrument was really uncool".
By 13 he was sick of spinning other people's tunes and began writing his own. Later, between solo DJ gigs, he worked behind the scenes with acts including UK rapper Harry Shotta and Dutch X Factor winner Rochelle Perts.
But with Fast Car – recorded in August, released in December, and cresting a chart high around February – Robin has found something of his own, something that almost overnight is taking him around the world as a headline DJ, with a long stint booked in Ibiza this summer. First, he stops by Aloft Abu Dhabi on Friday, May 20 to DJ for Club MTV.
Blue says a follow-up single to Fast Car is set to drop on June 3. Just don't ask what it will sound like – speaking on the phone from his home studio in London, Robin wouldn't even tell us the track's name.
How much has your life changed in the past six months?
It’s been absolutely nuts – from literally writing music in the studio quietly to all of a sudden your life being turned upside down. When you’ve been working for so long it’s nice to have it work out, you’ve just got to be ready and take the opportunity.
Speaking of which, one such opportunity was a residency at Ushuaïa Ibiza.
I've got a crazy story – last year I was in Ushuaïa with my friends. I saw Scooter Braun, who is Justin Bieber's manager and I'm a massive fan. He was in the VIP part with Avicii's manager Ash [Pournouri] and [DJ] Oliver Heldens, and I just went over and started speaking. I was a little bit sure of myself – I turned around and I said: 'I'm going to be up on that stage next year.' And Scooter said: 'Oh yeah, are you?'. The crazy thing is that was before I had made Fast Car. I'm glad I kind of fulfilled that.
Great story – but wait. Did you just admit to being a Justin Bieber fan?
I’m a massive Justin Bieber fan. You’ve got be able to admit that.
Any other guilty pleasures you want to confess?
I always listen to N’Sync and Backstreet Boys – the old stuff.
I’m not sure if you’re kidding.
No, I’m being totally serious. I listen to this stuff a lot. The producer who did all this stuff, Max Martin, is basically my idol. I listen to those songs not only because I like them, but to see the magic behind them. They’re my guilty pleasures.
Any chance of these tracks appearing in your Abu Dhabi set?
Definitely not – it’s just very low volume on my earphones, in private.
Do you remember the first time you heard Chapman sing Fast Car?
It was pretty much the song of my childhood, my mum's favourite song. I remember going on long car journeys and it would always come on the radio – it just really stuck with me. Later on in life, when I became a DJ and producer, I always wanted to be able to play Fast Car within my set, the problem was it's just way to slow.
It’s a weird pairing – your uplifting production with her lyrics. The original song is pretty bleak.
Sometimes what makes a great song is that bittersweet combination – a really heartfelt song, whether good or bad, mixed with something that gets you going. That’s why when people say to me about the video: “Where’s the car?” I’m like: “So you understand what this song is about?” I’m glad you picked up on that.
Will you ever do another cover?
Never say never, but I’m pretty much done with it. I’m a songwriter and producer, so I’m always wanting to make my own stuff, and not use anybody else’s.
• Jonas Blue performs on Froday, May 20 at Aloft Abu Dhabi. Doors 8pm, Tickets are Dh150 from platinumlist.ae
rgarratt@thenational.ae
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
RoboCop%3A%20Rogue%20City
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if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Seoul from Dh3,775 return, including taxes
The package
Ski Safari offers a seven-night ski package to Korea, including five nights at the Dragon Valley Hotel in Yongpyong and two nights at Seoul CenterMark hotel, from £720 (Dh3,488) per person, including transfers, based on two travelling in January
The info
Visit www.gokorea.co.uk
Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,400m. Winner: Rio Angie, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 1,600m. Winner: Trenchard, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m. Winner: Mulfit, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 1,200m. Winner: Waady, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 2,000m. Winner: Tried And True, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
9.25pm:Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m. Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
UAE%20ILT20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMarquee%20players%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMoeen%20Ali%2C%20Andre%20Russell%2C%20Dawid%20Malan%2C%20Wanindu%20Hasiranga%2C%20Sunil%20Narine%2C%20Evin%20Lewis%2C%20Colin%20Munro%2C%20Fabien%20Allen%2C%20Sam%20Billings%2C%20Tom%20Curran%2C%20Alex%20Hales%2C%20Dushmantha%20Chameera%2C%20Shimron%20Hetmyer%2C%20Akeal%20Hosein%2C%20Chris%20Jordan%2C%20Tom%20Banton%2C%20Sandeep%20Lamichhane%2C%20Chris%20Lynn%2C%20Rovman%20Powell%2C%20Bhanuka%20Rajapaksa%2C%20Mujeeb%20Ul%20Rahman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInternational%20players%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ELahiru%20Kumara%2C%20Seekugge%20Prassanna%2C%20Charith%20Asalanka%2C%20Colin%20Ingram%2C%20Paul%20Stirling%2C%20Kennar%20Lewis%2C%20Ali%20Khan%2C%20Brandon%20Glover%2C%20Ravi%20Rampaul%2C%20Raymon%20Reifer%2C%20Isuru%20Udana%2C%20Blessing%20Muzarabani%2C%20Niroshan%20Dickwella%2C%20Hazaratullah%20Zazai%2C%20Frederick%20Klassen%2C%20Sikandar%20Raja%2C%20George%20Munsey%2C%20Dan%20Lawrence%2C%20Dominic%20Drakes%2C%20Jamie%20Overton%2C%20Liam%20Dawson%2C%20David%20Wiese%2C%20Qais%20Ahmed%2C%20Richard%20Gleeson%2C%20James%20Vince%2C%20Noor%20Ahmed%2C%20Rahmanullah%20Gurbaz%2C%20Navin%20Ul%20Haq%2C%20Sherfane%20Rutherford%2C%20Saqib%20Mahmood%2C%20Ben%20Duckett%2C%20Benny%20Howell%2C%20Ruben%20Trumpelman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Paris%20Agreement
%3Cp%3EArticle%2014%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E1.%20%5BThe%20Cop%5D%20shall%20periodically%20take%20stock%20of%20the%20implementation%20of%20this%20Agreement%20to%20assess%20the%20collective%20progress%20towards%20achieving%20the%20purpose%20of%20this%20Agreement%20and%20its%20long-term%20goals%20(referred%20to%20as%20the%20%22global%20stocktake%22)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E2.%20%5BThe%20Cop%5D%20shall%20undertake%20its%20first%20global%20stocktake%20in%202023%20and%20every%20five%20years%20thereafter%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
Pakistan Super League
Previous winners
2016 Islamabad United
2017 Peshawar Zalmi
2018 Islamabad United
2019 Quetta Gladiators
Most runs Kamran Akmal – 1,286
Most wickets Wahab Riaz –65
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster with a decades-long career in TV. He has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others. Karam is also the founder of Takreem.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Notable cricketers and political careers
- India: Kirti Azad, Navjot Sidhu and Gautam Gambhir (rumoured)
- Pakistan: Imran Khan and Shahid Afridi (rumoured)
- Sri Lanka: Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan (rumoured)
- Bangladesh (Mashrafe Mortaza)
Points about the fast fashion industry Celine Hajjar wants everyone to know
- Fast fashion is responsible for up to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions
- Fast fashion is responsible for 24 per cent of the world's insecticides
- Synthetic fibres that make up the average garment can take hundreds of years to biodegrade
- Fast fashion labour workers make 80 per cent less than the required salary to live
- 27 million fast fashion workers worldwide suffer from work-related illnesses and diseases
- Hundreds of thousands of fast fashion labourers work without rights or protection and 80 per cent of them are women
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
