We recently had the chance to connect with Jay Toledo and have shared our conversation below.
Jay, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are all about setting the tone and staying ahead. I usually plan my day about three hours early—so if I need to be somewhere by 11, I’m up by 7. As soon as I wake up, I make coffee, and while it’s brewing and as I drink it, I catch up on emails and check the stock market to get a sense of what’s going on in the world. After that, I head out for a run, come back to shower, and then sit down with breakfast. That’s when I shift into work mode. Every day I make sure to tackle at least one meaningful task—whether it’s something for my artist career, managing my record label, downloading new music, or producing. So if my actual day starts at 11, I’m already ahead.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jay Toledo, I’m a music producer and DJ based in Miami, Florida. Born and raised in Miami to Nicaraguan parents, my background and experiences have carved the way I express myself through music. I produce and play techno, with a strong focus on the harder, industrial side of the genre. Beyond performing, I also run my own label, Ordo Rebellium Records, a platform dedicated to pushing industrial techno and giving space to artists who share that same uncompromising vision.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When my wrestling career ended, that’s when everything clicked for me. I had spent six years training every single day, chasing a state championship, and in the end I realized it was never really about the medal. It was about the grind! the discipline, the struggle, the teamwork, and pushing myself past limits I didn’t even know I could break. That’s when I understood it’s all a mindset, and that lesson has stuck with me ever since.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Many times. I’ve sat in the studio frustrated because the sound wasn’t coming out how I heard it in my head, or the track didn’t feel powerful enough. There were moments where I thought, maybe I’m just not cut out for this. But instead of walking away, I’d take a step back, retrace my steps, and analyze where it went wrong. Then I’d dive back into learning, practicing, and trying again, over and over. Sometimes the result was exactly what I wanted, other times it evolved into something completely different. And that’s okay, because that’s the journey of being an artist slowly shaping your sound and your style through the process. And that’s what I love most about producing music and playing the pursuit of unheard sounds and telling a story through music.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
100%. I am who I am on and off stage — raw and unfiltered. I joke around all the time, enjoy good food with friends, share music with colleagues, and appreciate the little things in life. I often hear artists say they’re one person on stage and someone completely different off it. I don’t agree with that at all. Sure, your energy and crowd interaction might get amplified on stage, but that doesn’t mean you should become a completely different person. To me, that feels less real, like it’s just a job. I believe if you’re truly passionate about what you do, your art and your presence should reflect who you are always!
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been in love with music. My first exposure was listening to The Beatles and classical music, and from there it became a never-ending rabbit hole of discovery. I picked up the guitar and completely immersed myself in it. Over time, my influences grew wider from symphonies to Pink Floyd, Metallica, Radiohead, Tool, salsa music, and all the incredible obscure records that never made it to the mainstream. Music has always felt natural to me, like something I was drawn to, not something I was told to do. So yes, I believe I’m doing exactly what I was born to do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaytoledo.ofc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JayToledoOfficial/
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jaytoledo_official
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5trHIEufgk1AWQ1vkifvF1
Image Credits
no credits needed
