Jason Lewis – Beyond the Decks
After more than two decades behind the decks, Jason Lewis remains a deeply respected presence in the Northern Rivers music community and beyond. From Burning Man to Subsonic, Earth Frequency to intimate Byron nights, his journey reflects a rare balance of experience, humility, and devotion to the dancefloor.
We sat down with Jason to talk about crowd connection, creative longevity, and the moments that stay with you long after the music fades.
You’ve been part of the Northern Rivers music scene for years – what does playing to a Byron crowd mean to you personally?
Living in a small beachside region with limited venues has shaped a scene that really makes the most of what we have. The people here are open-minded, curious, playful, and genuinely up for the journey. There’s a freedom on the dancefloor, it’s fruity, fun, and deeply present.
I feel truly honoured to share music with such a healthy, engaged, and receptive crowd. Every set here feels less like a performance and more like a shared experience, and that’s something I never take for granted.
After your recent set at Earth Frequency, how do you keep your inspiration and energy flowing between festivals and intimate club sets?
I’ll often step away from dance music and lean into different genres. As much as I love looking forward to the future of music and production, I also love looking back.
My inspiration comes from staying open to all kinds of music. Older records, deeper cuts, and left-of-centre genres give me a rich source of expression and help me avoid burnout from constantly listening to 4×4 dance music.
You’ve played everywhere from Burning Man to Subsonic to local Byron nights – what’s a moment that still gives you goosebumps when you think about it?
The Love Camp set at Earth Frequency in 2023 still gives me goosebumps. That year the rain was torrential, the dance floor ankle-deep in water, with lightning and thunder cracking all around us.
I was playing between two of the best artists in the game, Liam Butterz and Christopher Brooks, which was incredibly humbling and nerve-wracking. Instead of pulling people away, the conditions drew everyone closer. Hundreds of people squeezed into the tent, soaked and muddy, completely committed to the moment.
There was a real sense of unity and surrender. That night was chaos in the most beautiful way, and I’ll never forget it.
After over two decades behind the decks, what do you think has changed the most about the dancefloor – and what’s stayed beautifully the same?
Social media has changed a lot. Likes and content often drive the scene now, sometimes shifting focus away from track selection and technical skill, which makes me a little sad.
What’s stayed the same is the power of music to move people. A connected crowd is timeless. And the level of sound and production today is extraordinary. Experiencing a set in a world-class club like Stereo in Montreal or Fabric in London can feel like a religious experience. It reminds you why we do this.
When you’re not mixing, what keeps you grounded?
I spend a lot of time in nature. It’s the true healer for me and the most powerful way I’ve found to reconnect and reset.
I also value time with loved ones and seek out inspiring experiences like watching Max Cooper and Nils Frahm or attending Dark Mofo in Tassie. Travel is important too – it helps me learn, stay curious, and keep my perspective open.
Jason’s reflections are a reminder that the dancefloor is more than a place to escape – it’s a place to arrive. Through rain-soaked tents, moments of chaos, quiet grounding rituals, and an ever-evolving music landscape, his commitment to sincerity and shared experience remains steady.
In a world that moves faster every year, artists like Jason offer something rare – an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and move together.
