15 questions with...Jimi Jules

If you haven't yet heard Jimi Jules' irreverent dance music, his latest album should serve as a fitting introduction to his extraordinary sound. Packed with personality,+ is an eclectic collection that brings to mind the synth-laced extroversion of artists like DJ Koze and Modeselektor, serving up productions with a wink, a nudge and a wry smile

Released through the house music institution that is Innervisions, + forgoes the crisp and minimal stylings that typify the music of label heads Âme and Dixon. Instead the album explores a varied palette that stretches from exultant electro to moody deep house, with unexpected detours into dub techno and experimental hip-hop, making for some of the album's most arresting moments. We caught up with Jimi following the record's release to hear more about his studio set-up, favourite plugins and how he keeps his electronic music feeling intensely human.

1 Tell us about how you first got into music-making.

Jimi Jules: "I started playing the trumpet after my grandfather gave me one for my second or third birthday. I played in a lot of bands and orchestras, and had multiple different teachers weekly to improve my skills as a musician. When I was around 20, I did my BA and MA at the University of Art and Science in Zurich.

"Around the same time I realised I was more interested in experimenting with new sounds, producing and writing music than playing in a classical orchestra, a jazz combo or a random pop band. So luckily it was the inner punk that showed me the way to Rome."

2 When and how would you say you became successful, or at least able to make a living from music?

JJ: "I've never had a normal day job, and I earned money through music from a very early age. I played in bands, arranged tunes for other bands and wrote music for different people, just to survive. Later on my best buddy, Prince Boogie, taught me how to DJ. So what is 'successful'?! From my perspective, making a living from music doesn't necessarily make you successful.