From Dream to Reality: Jaenga Reflects on the Past, Present, and Future

1 hour ago 3

**Ahead of his largest headline show to date, Jaenga dives into the creation of his album Dream Machine, his enterprising spirit, and his most treasured memory as a DJ.**

Pat McDevitt, better known as Jaenga, has distinguished himself from the pack since the release of his 2018 EP on Deadbeats. The fervent fan of bass music has taken his passion for the genre to the next level, evolving from throwing late-night renegades at festivals to throwing down across the US as he completes his first headline tour.

Jaenga’s intricate, bass-fueled soundscapes have landed him high-profile releases on MorFlo Records, SubCarbon, and WAKAAN. A pro at creating engineered EPs with distinct storylines, the talented producer has officially delved into full-lengths with the release of Dream Machine in August 2025.

The body of work is his most ambitious to date as Jaenga puts his sonic range on display. From downtempo, atmospheric tracks to emotionally driven, melodic bass moments, the album is a musical memoir and tangible proof that while the journey may take longer than expected, the rewards you reap once you break through are worth the wait.

As Jaenga prepares for his largest headline show to date, the gifted artist sheds light on his beginnings, his recent remix album for Dream Machine, and his upcoming EP. Keep reading for our interview with the dynamic DJ.

**Stream Jaenga – Dream Machine on Spotify**

Hey Jaenga, thanks for chatting with us today! You got your start traveling the country in a converted school bus, throwing DIY shows. How did that experience shape you as an artist, and what did it teach you about the work ethic needed to make your dreams a reality?

Thanks for taking the time. I realized that you can waste a lot of time waiting for someone to “discover you.” It’s easy to get lost in the sauce waiting for the right manager, right agent, right record label to help grow your project — it might never come!

I decided to just start. I bought a school bus and drove it around to different festivals, slowly growing a community over many years. It took a long time; many “shows” with only a few friends and me. Eventually, it started working.

From humorous skits to sharing your DJ journey, social media has played a pivotal role in your growth. How do you brainstorm and bring these wild ideas to life while juggling music production and touring?

I’ve been making films for most of my life, so making content for socials can be pretty fun for me. I love creating storylines and making people laugh.

To be honest, I don’t actively think of content ideas. They just pop up in my head when I’m taking a walk, cooking, etc. Somehow, that’s when the best ideas show up. At times, I’ll be scrolling on socials and see something funny, and I’m like, “That’s hilarious, how can I make something in a similar realm, but for MUSIC?”

Once I settle on a concept, I’ll carve out a day in the week to tackle the filming and editing.

As a Denver-based artist, you’re extremely involved in the local EDM community, frequently throwing pop-up events around the city. How have these gatherings helped you build and connect with your fanbase?

They’ve helped for sure, and it’s where I find a lot of joy in my life. I think the roots of the Jaenga project have always been a bit more of a DIY/grassroots approach.

Do we need massive venues, expensive tickets, and corporate-branded events to have a good time? How about we just do it ourselves on some random summer day and find a pool somewhere, a cool spot under a bridge, or a rooftop. Let’s create new memories.

Don’t get me wrong, I love playing bigger production shows and festivals, but there’s a time and place for everything.

On April 4, you’re headlining Denver’s Ogden Theatre. What makes this performance so monumental for you as an artist?

Oh man.. Just wait til you see what we’re building for the stage (laughs). It will easily be the first time anyone has done something like this. I wish I could say more about it, but it’s top secret.

A lot of this will be a first for me — timecoding lasers, full production, and freedom to build out the show exactly as I can see it in my mind. It tells a story, and I’m excited to share that narrative at the biggest venue I’ve ever headlined in my life.

As the tour supporting your debut album, Dream Machine, comes to a close, how do you feel this project encapsulates your growth as an artist?

I’ve had a lot of time to reflect while on the road, traveling from show to show. I feel I’m living my truth. I’m making the music I feel within me, creating visuals I believe encapsulate this project, and generally aligning with the man I hoped to be when I was younger.

It’s almost an unexplainable feeling to be sitting on a plane on the way to a show thinking, “Holy crap, this music thing is actually working!? People are really listening to it and going to the shows?”

Earlier this year, you dropped a massive remix album for Dream Machine. How do these collaborations expand upon the project’s sonic journey?

The album and remix album are two different vibes, and the remixes are the perfect expansion.

The album is a bit of a sonic diary. In other words, the album was not necessarily written for live shows. It’s different chapters of my life put into sonic form, places and memories deep inside me that I had to write about. Occasionally, that means they aren’t going to be a big festival banger, although some of them do well live.

The remix album has more of a hard-hitting approach. There was no direction given to all the producers on these remixes, but for some reason, it just shaped up that way! I love what was created, and I appreciate all my friends who took the time to remix these songs.

How did creating a full-length differ from the process of your numerous EP projects?

Creating a full length allowed me to actually live out this album. I disappeared into the mountains, took long road trips, and spent nights just breathing and looking at the stars as I sketched out ideas. I tried to keep as little pressure on it as possible to allow the music to flow exactly the way it should.

When I write an EP, that process can change a little because it’s a shorter body of work. I can still dive deep, but I don’t usually disappear in the same way. I find myself writing on airplanes a lot, or in my favorite food spot at a table in the corner.

While it’s still a very fun place to write from, I stepped away from everything to write the album, and often write EPs while in the mix of life.

You’ve mentioned on social media that you’ve got a new EP on the way. Can you lend any insight into your upcoming project?

Now, this EP is what you listen to when you’re flying down the highway or trying to break a PR in the gym.

I wrote it specifically for live play. Tunes that you’d cue the fire and confetti cannons. It’s heavy, hits you in the chest, and has a fun complexity that I equate to ear candy.

Looking back on your career so far, what has been the most rewarding moment for you?

Bringing my mom out to a show I played with Ganja White Night in Las Vegas. It was the first show of mine she had been to.

I’m not sure why this is the most rewarding and impactful moment. Maybe it’s because we had been through a lot in our lives, and there was this sort of feeling that said, “It’s all going to be okay. I’m really out here succeeding with music, and my mom finally has a chance to see it in person.”

I can’t say I’ve had the most conventional life. I decided to do the art thing and push for it no matter what. That can lead to many moments in life with no money or stability, making the simple things challenging. I’m just glad I have the opportunity to show her that we’re all good and that life is an incredible gift we can celebrate together.