Genre Fave: Ross has emerged as one of trance’s top talents, and DJ LIFE touches base with the talented DJ/producer for his True North album release.
Rare are the times in electronic music do you experience an artist whose career has evolved as naturally as Jason Ross. After first emerging through the Anjunabeats family with the guidance of Above & Beyond, Ross quickly established himself as one of dance music’s most versatile producers, seamlessly blending the emotional depth of trance with the cinematic power of melodic bass.
Along the way, collaborations with Seven Lions, Gryffin, Blanke, and others helped define a sound that has become unmistakably his own, also resulting in fan-favorites like “Higher Love,” “Ocean,” “Shelter,” “One More Day,” “Wild Ones,” “After You,” and the acclaimed Rooms EP.
Rather than remaining confined to a single genre, Ross has continued to expand his creative identity. His Atlas brand embodies that philosophy, serving as an extension of his belief that great music shouldn’t be limited by stylistic boundaries. Whether performing on massive festival stages or intimate club sets, his productions consistently balance soaring melodies, emotional songwriting, and powerful live moments that have made him one of the most beloved names in the electronic music circuit.
Now, Ross enters a new chapter with True North, his most personal and introspective body of work. Built around themes of authenticity, self-discovery, instinct, and emotional honesty, his latest full-length album represents more than a collection of songs – it’s a statement of identity. Accompanied by cinematic visual storytelling and a behind-the-scenes documentary series that has resonated with fans across social media, True North reflects the artist Ross has become after years of trusting his own creative compass rather than chasing trends.
DJ LIFE caught up with the Twin Cities-raised/L.A.-based Jason Ross, 37, to discuss his early days learning on vinyl, the making of True North, balancing inspiration with discipline in the studio, his touring philosophy, and why following your own path has become the defining message behind his latest chapter.
DJ LIFE: Let’s start with the early days. How and when did you get into electronic music?
Jason Ross: I discovered electronic music in the early 2000s through artists like ATB, Tiësto and later Above & Beyond. What drew me in was the emotional side of dance music. It felt cinematic and uplifting in a way that no other genre did. I got into the electronic scene in college and would go to events in downtown San Diego to catch my favorite DJs. One of the first major shows that really left an impression on me was seeing Above & Beyond live. It made me realize electronic music could be both powerful and deeply personal.
DJ LIFE: When you were first starting out as a DJ, what was your set-up? How about your DJ set-up today?
Ross: When I was first learning the ropes, I was fortunate enough to have a mentor who showed me how to DJ and produce. He first had me learn to DJ using vinyl, and later I learned how to use CDJs – back when we had to burn CDs and carry around a massive CD case. I spent countless hours teaching myself how to beat-match and build sets.
Today, my set-up is much more streamlined. I primarily play on Pioneer CDJ-3000s with a DJM-V10 mixer, and a lot of my focus is on preparing edits, mashups, and custom moments that make each show feel unique.
DJ LIFE: What did your original software set-up when you were just figuring out electronic-music production?
Ross: It was an early version of a MacBook, a pair of KRK speakers, headphones, and Ableton Live, with some software like [LennarDigital] Sylenth, [Spectrasonics] Omnisphere, and sample packs I got from friends. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was completely fascinated by the process.
DJ LIFE: Do you have any go-to studio synths or plug-ins at the moment? What is your preferred DAW?
Ross: Ableton Live is my DAW of choice and has been for years. As for synths, I still use [Xfer Records] Serum constantly, along with [u-he] Diva, Omnisphere, and [Reveal Sound] Spire. As for plug-ins, I always reach for [SoundToys] Decapitator for distortion, [Slate Digital] Fresh Air for some air and brightness, and FabFilter plug-ins like Pro-Q, Pro-MB, and Pro-L. I try not to get too caught up in gear, though. Most of the magic still comes from songwriting and sound selection.
DJ LIFE: What’s your studio routine like these days?
Ross: I’ve become much more structured over the years. Inspiration is great, but you can’t rely on it. Most days I’ll start in the late morning, spend time reviewing ideas, then focus on writing, arranging, or finishing music. Some of my favorite creative breakthroughs have happened late at night when there’s less noise and distraction. I try to balance discipline with leaving room for spontaneity.
DJ LIFE: You’ve described True North as a story of authenticity and an intentional statement of identity. For you personally, what does your “true north” look like as an artist?
Ross: True North is about trusting your inner compass. It’s easy to get pulled in different directions by trends, expectations, and outside opinions. This album was about reconnecting with the reasons I started making music in the first place and creating something that genuinely reflects who I am. My true north is making music that feels honest, emotional, and meaningful, regardless of what’s popular at the moment.
DJ LIFE: The mini documentary you recently posted on your socials has been going incredibly viral. What has been the most rewarding part of pulling back the curtain and showing fans the raw realities of your touring life?
Ross: The response has been amazing because people connected with the honesty of it. Social media often only shows the highlights. I wanted people to see the full picture, including the sacrifices, uncertainty, and personal growth that happen behind the scenes. The most rewarding part has been hearing from fans who saw pieces of their own journey reflected in mine.
DJ LIFE: What was the creative process like for you on this album?
Ross: The album took shape over several years. I wasn’t trying to force a concept at first. As more songs came together, I realized there was a common thread connecting them. Themes of growth, self-discovery, nostalgia, and finding your path kept showing up. Once I recognized that, the album became less about individual songs and more about telling a larger story.
DJ LIFE: The creative world surrounding True North uses cinematic vignettes mixed with short-form documentary elements. Why was it important for you to tell this album’s story through visual representation?
Ross: The album was always bigger than the music itself. The themes are very personal, and visuals gave us another way to communicate them. The documentary elements added authenticity, while the cinematic pieces helped bring the emotional side of the story to life. Together they created a more immersive experience for fans. I’ve always loved films that feel raw, personal, and relatable, and I felt those themes aligned naturally with the music on True North. Seeing the project through a cinematic lens felt like the best way to tell the story, and it gave me an opportunity to explore a creative medium I’m deeply passionate about.
DJ LIFE: What is the main message you hope listeners take away from True North?
Ross: I hope people walk away feeling inspired to trust themselves. We spend so much time searching for answers outside of ourselves, but often the direction we’re looking for is already within us. If the album encourages someone to follow their own path a little more confidently, then it has done its job.
DJ LIFE: How do you approach your DJ sets?
Ross: Club sets give me the opportunity to be more adventurous. I can take longer journeys, play older/classic cuts, and explore different styles. Festival sets require a different mindset because you’re trying to connect with a much larger audience in a shorter amount of time. The energy needs to be immediate and impactful while still telling a story.
DJ LIFE: Are there any tracks that you typically try to include in all your sets?
Ross: I always try to include songs that have become part of my identity, whether that’s tracks from my earlier days on Anjunabeats or Ophelia, or now True North. Beyond that, it depends on the environment. Clubs allow me to dig deeper into trance and progressive influences, while festivals are where I lean into the bigger emotional moments and crowd connection.
DJ LIFE: Any memorable interactions with fans on the road?
Ross: It’s tough to remember a single story, but because my music is emotional with a lot of depth, it’s common to hear that a song has helped someone through some pretty difficult periods in their life. Those moments put everything into perspective. It’s easy to focus on numbers, streams, and tickets, but hearing how music impacts someone on a personal level is what makes this career meaningful.
DJ LIFE: What’s the rest of the year looking like for you?
Ross: The first half of 2026 was all about finishing up True North. Looking ahead, the biggest focus is the True North Tour this fall. I’m excited to bring the full visual and musical experience to fans across North America and celebrate this album in a live setting.
DJ LIFE: If you could go back and tell the Jason Ross of, say, 2019 one thing, what would it be and why?
Ross: I would tell him not to be afraid to trust his instincts and do what feels right, even if it goes against the norm. Some of the biggest breakthroughs in my career came from stepping outside of the lane I thought I was supposed to stay in. Letting go of the idea that I had to fit into one genre opened up a whole new level of creativity for me. It’s made making music more exciting, more fulfilling, and has given me the confidence to keep pushing boundaries.
DJ LIFE: How about a message or sign of the current times that you’d like to leave for your future self?
Ross: Remember why you started. Don’t let success, expectations, or outside noise pull you away from what makes this meaningful. Stay curious, keep growing, and continue following your true north.
