Lottie Jones on the Art of Presence in Modern Drum & Bass

Lottie Jones (@lottiejonesuk) has returned with “Surrender,” a compelling new liquid Drum & Bass single released via Make Your Era. The track places her distinct vocal identity at the forefront, blending soft atmospheric textures with a rolling, rhythmic foundation. It is a record that balances emotional depth with the high-energy requirements of club and festival environments.

The single aligns perfectly with the creative trajectory of Make Your Era, the UK label founded by Vibe Chemistry. The imprint has carved out a niche for artists who prioritize songwriting, vocal identity, and individual perspective within the broader landscape of bass-led dance music. For Jones, this environment is a natural fit, building upon her established reputation through collaborations with artists like Fred V, Hybrid Minds, Kanine, and Andromedik, as well as previous releases on prestigious labels such as Hospital Records, Liquicity, and UKF.

In a recent conversation, Jones reflected on the intersection of technology and live performance. She addressed the ubiquity of smartphones at shows, noting that while they have made live music more accessible and connected, they cannot replicate the visceral experience of being in the room. “There is still a lot you cannot capture through a screen,” she explains, “like the physical feeling of the bass, the atmosphere in the room, and the connection between people in that exact moment.”

For Jones, the value of a performance often lies in the moments that remain unrecorded. She recalls a pivotal night at Motion Bristol, where hearing her own vocals resonate with a crowd for the first time became a core memory. “I had never seen or felt a live reaction to my vocals before, and I will never forget how insane it was to be like, ‘This is me. This is my tune,’” she says. This perspective informs her approach to music, emphasizing that memories are defined by the feelings they evoke rather than the digital artifacts left behind.

As the industry grapples with the permanence of online content, Jones acknowledges that the accessibility of live sets can alter the audience’s sense of urgency. However, she remains optimistic about the role of mystery in club culture. “With how accessible everything is now, moments that feel unknown or undiscovered matter even more,” she notes. Whether it is the discovery of an unreleased track or the unpredictability of a surprise guest, Jones believes that maintaining a sense of the unknown is essential to preserving the magic of the dance floor.