Orlando-based DJ and producer Jake Anthony swung by to chat about the early days of his journey as an artist, his local scene, and more.
Florida has been on the minds of many over the past few weeks as the dust continues to settle from Miami Music Week and Ultra Music Festival, but there’s been something else brewing North of that action in Orlando. That’s where rising techno artist Jake Anthony resides, and he’s been climbing the ranks of the scene over the past few years with his unique twist on the genre in tow.
While Jake Anthony might be one of the freshest faces in the Florida techno scene, having only released his debut single in 2023, he’s quickly begun to turn heads. He’s dropped off tunes on labels like SHADE, Humble House Records, and more since then. Jake Anthony has also picked up momentum on the performance front, playing festivals like Home Bass and Shipwrecked, as well as taking the stage at nightclubs like Gilt and The Ritz Ybor, among others. Not to mention that he’s also the mind behind Magic Lamp Radio, his brand that focuses on supporting other underground acts.
Before his upcoming underground Dance Theory show on May 23, Jake Anthony swung by to chat about his earliest influences, his experience in the scene so far, his thoughts on Orlando’s dance music community, and more. Listen to his exclusive guest mix and read on for the full conversation.
Stream EDMID Guest Mix 463 || Jake Anthony on SoundCloud:
Hi Jake, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us today. Let’s get this conversation rolling with a look back into the past. Who were some of your earliest musical influences, and what led you to fall in love with electronic music?
Well, to answer this question, I have to admit that my musical influences are completely different now compared to back then. When I was younger and just getting into music, I was really into pop more than any other genre. Back in high school, I used to listen to Twenty One Pilots, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Khalid, just to name a few. Don’t get me wrong—I had a few songs I loved from other artists, but I didn’t usually listen to many others besides those, often playing their music on repeat.
It wasn’t until my senior year, when I went to EDC, that I started getting into EDM. At the time, I still hadn’t discovered techno. My friend Kaitlyn, whom I went with, was more of a bass head. I would say that, back then, I could appreciate the headbanging, but nothing really grabbed my attention or pulled me into EDM—until I heard techno.
Was there a specific moment you realized you wanted to pursue a career as a DJ and producer in the techno realm?
I didn’t realize I wanted to make this a full career until about a year or so after I had started DJing. At that time, I was strictly playing house music, and it wasn’t until I began producing that I discovered my true passion was for the Techno genre. I didn’t seriously consider making this a career until production became such a key part of the journey.
I was told that to elevate my DJ career, I needed to start producing. At the time, I had little to no knowledge of what it takes to produce or write music, so I decided to go to school for it. I’m currently studying at Full Sail University in Orlando, FL. I guess the day I chose to enroll in school for music was the day I truly committed to making this my career.
It takes an incredible amount of time, mental strength, and energy to learn and produce music. I’ve invested so much time, effort, and money into this that it’s no longer just a hobby—it’s become something real.
Your latest single, “Gravity,” is an absolute banger. I loved the underground rave feel that you brought with this one. Can we expect more tunes like this one to come out this year?
Absolutely. I currently have another track that’s been signed, but it hasn’t been released yet. I also have a bunch of projects I’m in the process of finishing, and once those are done, the plan is to send them out to labels with the goal of getting more music released. Last year, I had a total of three records signed. So far this year, I’ve had two, and the goal is to at least double that number compared to the previous year.
This year, you have played festivals like Shipwrecked, performed club sets, and appeared during Miami Music Week! What’s your approach to DJing in different environments? Do you find yourself planning sets out, or do you just go with the flow?
Most of the time, I try to plan out my sets. It can be tricky because if you don’t fully understand the vibe of the night, you have to be ready to jump around and find something in your library that gets the crowd moving. However, if you do understand the vibe, it becomes much easier to build a playlist.
I don’t pre-record my sets or practice mixing songs in only one specific way. Instead, I practice with my entire library multiple times at home, mixing different tracks to figure out what works best together. That said, even if I have a set list with tracks arranged in an ideal order, if the crowd isn’t feeling it, I need to be ready to switch things up.
So yes, I plan my sets by putting together songs I think work well, but I also stay flexible, ready to read the crowd and adjust the vibe if that’s what it takes.
You’re originally from Puerto Rico but now live in Orlando. How does your heritage influence your work as an artist?
I think this needs some clarification. I know that the country code after my artist name is (PR), but I wasn’t born in Puerto Rico—I was born in Orlando, FL. I chose to include (PR) after my name, not to represent where I grew up, but to reflect where I come from—my heritage, my roots, and my family’s history.
It’s a way for me to honor my past and celebrate Puerto Rico. Even though I wasn’t raised there, I’ve visited many times, especially during my childhood. I feel like, over time, my family’s long presence in the U.S. has caused some of that cultural identity to fade, especially for my parents.
However, I’ve always been very close to my grandmother, who spent most of her life in Puerto Rico. She lives in Florida now, but she still holds on to the island’s way of life. Including (PR) in my artist name is a tribute to her and to my family—it’s my way of keeping that connection alive.
Orlando has a pretty vibrant scene of its own that’s seemingly growing by the day. What’s your favorite aspect of the local scene there? Is there anything you’d change?
The Orlando scene has been relatively small for many years, but I feel like in the past two years, the techno scene here has grown to a level we haven’t seen before. My favorite part of it is the sense of community—the fact that I can drive to Tampa and still see the same ravers and artists I see in Orlando, or head to Miami and meet an entirely different group. It’s a unique and special experience.
Knowing that I’m not the only one doing this out of pure love for the music is incredibly inspiring and motivating. When I first started getting into the scene—and this ties into the second part of your question—I often felt like many people weren’t truly in it for the music. Or maybe they were, but something about it felt inauthentic.
There are definitely a few local DJs who seem more focused on clout or attention than the music itself—not everyone, of course, but a noticeable handful. When you’re genuinely in love with the music, the vibe, and the feeling it gives you, you can tell when someone else isn’t being authentic.
If I had the power to change anything, it would be the way the local scene is structured. I’d love to create more opportunities for underground artists—that’s actually the goal behind the project my friends and I started: Ethereal Sounds and Magic Lamp Radio.
What’s been the biggest hurdle you’ve faced so far in your career?
I’ve talked about this a few times before, but honestly, at this point, I’m not sure what else would count as my “biggest hurdle” besides this. I’ve struggled with self-doubt, questioning whether I really have what it takes to be successful. People around me will say, “Good job,” and sometimes I believe them, but other times, impostor syndrome kicks in, and I feel like what I’m doing just isn’t enough or isn’t working.
Over time, I’ve found ways to manage and push through those feelings. I’ve learned how to recognize impostor syndrome when it shows up and how to ground myself in the progress I’ve made. I also know I’m not the only artist who feels this way, and that thought alone brings me some peace. It reminds me that even the people at the top probably had these same doubts at some point, and they kept going.
We’re still in the early months of 2025, so what goals do you hope to achieve this summer and throughout the rest of the year?
I’ve already accomplished a lot this year—I’ve played in Miami twice so far and also had the chance to perform at The Ritz in Tampa. One of the biggest highlights was playing at the Shipwrecked Music Festival earlier this year. That had been a goal of mine for years, so seeing it finally come to life was an incredible moment.
Looking ahead, I want to keep building my brand, Magic Lamp Radio, and continue growing it into a platform that gives more artists a space to showcase their sound. One of my goals for the rest of the year is to get about 4–5 more records signed. More would be amazing, of course, but that number feels realistic.
Another major goal is to play at The Vanguard, the biggest EDM venue here in Orlando. I also want to play more festivals—EDC is definitely on my list—and I’d love to land a spot as an opener or direct support for bigger artists. Those are the milestones I’m aiming to reach in 2025.
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