Hailing from the Midwest US, Jon Hester is an embodiment of the movements, sounds, and attitude that have continued to push techno and house forward. His energy and enthusiasm brought him all the way from beginnings in Chicago and Minneapolis to his present home base of Berlin.

 

With music released on Rekids, Klockworks, Deeply Rooted, and performances worldwide at clubbing institutions such as Berghain Berlin, Rex Club Paris, fabric London, and Vent Tokyo, he is equally keen for the fresh intensity of newer clubs dotting South America and South Africa. Jon continues building on the very expression he connected with more than 20 years ago via his label, Participation, an outlet for his own output as well as collaborative efforts with fellow artists in the global techno and house community. The collaborations are realized through a reciprocal exchange of sketches between artists, with artwork comprised of a simple one-line drawing from Hester himself – underscoring the directness, honesty, and immediacy of the music presented.

 

Participation launched in October 2023 with a solo EP from Hester, followed by collaborations with Panorama Bar favorite Cassy, Madrid Techno figurehead Tadeo, Tokyo's legendary DJ Shufflemaster, and Swedish techno mainstay Joel Mull. With an exciting series of forthcoming releases in the works for 2024, Participation will continue to inspire, surprise, and delight listeners around the globe, with the impressive depth and breadth of Hester’s tastes and abilities on full display.