Who runs the world? Probably jamesjamesjames, let’s face it. Referred to as a noughties-loving diva who makes “sexy Y2K techno for anyone who is skinny, rich, blonde, and a little bit of a bitch”, you can bet you’re in for a treat when you tune in to one of jjj’s action-packed mixes.
Having grown up in the home of pink Cadillacs and luxury plastic surgeons, jamesjamesjames relocated from Beverly Hills to Brisbane where he continues to pursue a career in bold, audacious music. The DJ and producer picked up traction after his recent appearance at Australia’s Sugar Mountain festival, and has since dotted about the block with releases on labels including Stay On Sight Recordings and a debut EP titled ‘james2007’ which came out last September on Bristol’s Shall Not Fade. The four-track record serves everything from sugar-coated rollers to clubby edits, and a new version of its standout cut started doing the rounds last month when ‘My Purple iPod Nano’ (2nd Gen Edit) landed on Three Six Zero.
Read this next: jamesjamesjames releases edit of his original 'My Purple iPod Nano'
With a bio proclaiming his music is “best played loud when you’re on the plastic surgery table having your second nose job, on your way to a Paris Hilton meet & greet, or at a 5:AM kick ons”, jjj is a refreshing breath of air who just doesn’t take himself all too seriously. We caught up with the producer after the release of his latest edit, soon to be remixed by Manchester’s salute.
Check out our Q&A and listen to a mix from jamesjamesjames below.
If you had to describe yourself in just one word, what would it be?
Dumb
When did you first learn to DJ and produce? Were you self-taught?
I can’t DJ? Like have you seen my Boiler Room set!!! So chaotic. WTF are headphones for? JUST PRESS PLAY?
Your aesthetics and sound are rooted in Y2K culture - where did that start? What draws you to that noughties vision?
Ministry Of Sound: Annual & Clubbers Guide (2007-2012)
So Fresh: Hits of the Winter (2006)
Sing Star (PS2)
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Are you informed by ‘00s dance music as a producer? If so, who are your biggest influences from that period?
Avicii - Seek Bromance
Edward Maya - Stereo Love
Adrian Lux - Teenage Crime
deadmau5 - Basil 2nd edit
DJ Shog - Surrounded By Your Love
Chicane - Poppiholla
Indie sleaze songs, 90s/00’s neo-trance, and pre-SOPHIE SOPHIE
As a Beverly Hills-born Brisbane native, do you take influence from both cities? What does Brisbane have to offer as far as club nights and parties go?
TBC, Andy Strudwick, and my b-town bitches
Your Boiler Room at Sugar Mountain skyrocketed you as a DJ - what was that experience like?
Tragic, chaotic, and unhinged LOL. Yeah soooo I’ll probs never be asked to do another Boiler Room ever again FR
55:31 no comment. Kevin superstar singer xoxo
Who are you currently listening to on repeat?
Showtek and Savage Garden
A lot of your tracks take samples from pop classics which you then turn into deep house or lo-fi bangers, how does this process usually look? Do you find the samples first or fit them in after?
Remix Charli XCX song, then delete the vocal. Underneath every jjj original is a BHM Charli remix
Read this next: Charli XCX pays tribute to late friend SOPHIE: "I've never met anyone like her"
You just released ‘My Purple iPod Nano (2nd Gen Edit)’ last month on Three Six Zero after a slew of releases across Shall Not Fade, Stay On Sight, etc. What’s your dream label to release on?
Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lohan?
Nicole
Can you tell us about your In Session mix?
Basically a playlist of what I’ve been listening to this month. A glimpse into my 5 remaining brain cells
Be dumb
Eat hot chip
Charge phone
Lie
I <3 Music
jamesjamesjames' latest release, 'My Purple iPod Nano (2nd Gen Edit)' is out now. This Friday, salute takes on remix duties of the new track. Pre-save it here.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter
Tracklist:
Kero Kero Bonito - Well Rested
DJ Something - away3
Cartier God - Love Is Drugs
Lifelike & Kris Menace - Discopolis (David Jones Remix)
DJ Shog - Surrounded by Your Love
TDJ - Euphoria
SFT-CR - No Air
Compilation - Mayeul - Maneater
ID - ID
REPHATE - No Snitching
Bladee & ECCO2K - Obedient (DJ G2G pleasing CLUB edit)
jonatan leandoer96 - Wooden Girl
Kero Kero Bonito - 21-04-20
Bladee & Ecco2k - Faust
meat computer - stuck in wpg
dltzk - pretender
Bladee - It Suxx
bodyGaard - Auto Salon (feat. Exodus1900)
meat computer - risking all and everything
The Go! Team - We Just Wont Be Defeated
Charli XCX - My Type
The Pussycat Dolls - Stickwitu
