Pulling Back the Sheets on Brisbane’s Flourishing Talents

The musical garden that is Brisbane is plump with musicality – both home-grown and imported. It is a case in point of the multi-culturalism so prevalent within Brisbane. And the latest import from the UK, added to Brisbane’s rich resource of musical talent and more than delighted to call Brisbane home, is House consumerist, DJ Jimmy Ellis

I first saw him perform at Therapy (hosted by Adrian Matyear and Andy Wallace), launched in 2006 at Jorge on George. With a simple setup, Jimmy captured his crowd and got toes immediately tapping. As soon as those beats and melodies filled the air, rumbling across the floorboards with all the rush of an ocean wave, I knew this was a special DJ to keep an eye on. Jimmy is quite a striking fellow. His shaved head serves as a beacon when he performs in the Ice Lounge at Family Nightclub, PressClub or at Sunbar, his house beats a sure cauterization upon the soul. He dances behind his decks as though he is having his very own party – which no doubt induces his audiences and fans to follow suit. When Jimmy assumes the decks, the unleashed beats and fragrant melodies subliminally prompt your heartbeat to pursue – such is his advanced evaluation of reading crowds. There is a psychology involved with how one connects with their audience, be you an entertainer, DJ or musician; and Jimmy would indeed have a Masters Degree if such a mark existed. He knows what makes a crowd bump, and I can peg this down to his enormous experience as a long time punter.

“I just wanted to be a part of it,” Jimmy tells me, sipping at a Little Creatures Pilsner, his English accent quaint and charming. “I had been going to places like Mono or Lychee Lounge, seeing Derek Strong, Gracie and Jason Rouse.. just getting carried away with their beats. When I’d saw these guys perform, I was just blown away by their power and their talent.” Jimmy was brought up in Leek, Staffordshire in the UK; a town that can trace a rich history back to the mid 1200s. “I’ve always been surrounded by music,” Jimmy informs me. “Music was – IS – important.” His grandparents were heavy participants in music, one being a music teacher. “I used to sing in bands at school,” Jimmy laughs, “but only because I had to step up to the plate since no one else would.” This determination to be “a part of it” is an integral aspect to Jimmy’s character – seeing him through in achieving his dream to acquire the talents of a DJ.

“When was the actual moment that you realized you wanted to be a DJ?” I ask him. “My defining moment,” Jimmy laughs easily, “was at the Berlin Bar with Kenny Dope. I didn’t come off the dancefloor all night. It was like he had detonated a small nuclear bomb in my brain. I went out and bought records from Rocking Horse and Central Station, even though I couldn’t play yet. I just knew; there was something in me telling me to look at the bigger picture; that it couldn’t be a bad thing to buy the records..” “Like it’s an investment for your future!” I interrupt him. “Yeh,” Jimmy replies. “My first piece of vinyl was “Work” by Masters At Work. I didn’t open it or play it for a long time – but I knew that one day I would.” Jimmy worked towards acquiring the beatmatching and turntablism skills of a DJ, not necessarily to perform; more so to be able to play the tunes that he especially loved to hear. He worked hard at his craft, intent on ensuring that the music was his primary motivation, rather than the status and reputation that the term “DJ” ensured. “I stand by the music I play,” Jimmy tells me. “Some will play music ‘cos they think that’s what the punters want to hear. That’s for them – there’s nothing wrong with trying to please your crowd. But my view is: If I can’t get down to it, how can I expect anyone else to? I know when I’m doing a great job when I get my own rush from the music – and then when I see the crowd reacting too – it’s an affirmation I’m on the right path. I can feel what’s taking place with the mix. I will get into production eventually,” Jimmy notes. “I’ve always got harmonies in my head. Sometimes, I will dream about it. I can visualize the impact it will have on the audience. Recently, I got together with DJ Freestyle and made a great house beat. But I love the thought of bringing together house beats with live instrumentation – such a great feel! It’s a slow process though and I have lots to learn. As a DJ though, I don’t care about being famous,” Jimmy tells me straight. “I enjoy good music and want to play it to people who wanna hear good music. It’s all about the heavy boogie. I enjoy playing in Brisbane – but it’s quite an exclusive scene,” Jimmy comments. “I wish more people would like the music I play. Smaller rooms, smaller venues – but hey.. that’s fine. It means I cater to a more exclusive taste.”

“Do you play any other genres?” I ask him. Jimmy pauses thoughtfully here, a small grin on his face. The Jimmy I know very rarely bags or disses anything (unless it’s a losing English cricket team), and he keeps in character when he states “Look: Good music stands the test of time. I respect Drum N Bass and Trance – purely because they’ve stood the test of time. But I’m into the roots of boogie – good funk and great rhythms. I love my House music. Disco was such an ugly word for so long – it bought up bad connotations of drugs and ‘being gay’. But man.. there’s nothing better than the gay, black and latino influences in Dance! That cheese, those bass lines and percussion! For me, the drums and the bass are the foundations for excellent music.”

Jimmy’s life revolves mainly around music, though he also has the time to apply his excellent hairdressing skills and thus keep many of Brisbane’s DJs beautifully shorn and groomed. He enjoys his cricket (though this season has probably left severe wounds on any English pride he might have retained) and loves escapism; enjoying the Science Fiction works of Frank Herbert and Isaac Asimov; and sometimes the follies of Roald Dahl. Non Fiction books on Music, like “Life at the Paradise Garage” or his self-proclaimed bible “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life” are essential reading tools in his understanding of Dance music and its roots. He loves reading DC comics, but claims that Marvel’s Human Fly is his favourite cartoon character. As a Taurean, Jimmy has a practical and logical nature. His music speaks for itself – it borders towards hedonism yet is always beautifully structured and never over the top or nominal. But Jimmy remains ever humble, always looking to refine his musicality and keep an ear out for great beats. Jimmy cites his influences as Larry Levan, Frankie Knuckles, Tee Scott, Kenny Dope, Louie Vega, Dave Lee Quentin Harris, Tom Moulton, DJ Freestyle (“The best f*cking producer in the whole of Oz” Jimmy emphatically declares) Jason Rouse, Derek Strong, Francios Kevorkian, Ron Trent and Dimitri From Paris. He also loves the labels Prelude, Salsoul, Westend, Solar Kingstreet, Masters At Work, and Jellybean Soul. He is a huge supporter of the Brisbane Dance scene, often popping up at events that he isn’t necessarily playing in – I know I saw him wiggling his butt off non-stop for Roger Sanchez. Jimmy’s charm and great nature has him only ever saying positive things about Brisbane, particularly such DJs as Cool Hand Luke, DJ Freestyle especially (“Did I mention I think he’s the best f”cking producer in the whole of Oz? Jimmy asks), Richard Shimmy and many others. You will hear him often on a Friday night playing back to back with DJ Freestyle or on his ownsome at Sunbar, or a Saturday night in the Ice Bar at Family or the PressClub. This coming Friday night, February 16, sees Jimmy playing alongside UK Deep and Jackin’ House merchant, Andy Sant. Saturday night will also see Jimmy’s talents booming in Uncle at Family for the first time.

Brisbane will happily take on fertile supplies from anywhere be it locally or the far-flung shores of other countries – provided the supply is fresh, quality and constructive. As an import, Jimmy Ellis is one man about the House that Brisbane can fiercely and proudly lay claims to. Pull back the sheets Brisbane, and uncover the flourishing talent that grows within our midst. The surprises can only be a delight – and affirmation of how accomplished and rich in resources our exclusive little town really is.

Loves and Kisses, Lady Lex