James Talk is certainly no stranger to dance music. One of the hottest new talents on the circuit, Talk reflects on the varying aspects of the industry as he sees it. With an artist album forthcoming, and a slew of remixes and solo projects coming out on his label Spoken Recordings, Talk is taking the world by storm. He recently took time out of his busy schedule to talk with Harry Avers of inthemix, ahead of his debut Australian tour.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
I think we are all influenced by every aspect of music, whether we know it or not. Influence can have a positive and negative effect. I don’t cite many artists as influential in my work, but Josh Wink is definitely one person.
You launched the ‘Thinking Out Loud’ Mix CD series, what thoughts went into selecting the tracks for your mix?
I tried to compile 80 minutes of music that reflected every aspect of my DJing. It wasn’t easy. With such a limited amount of time, you can only show so much. I also considered the fact that the CD would be listened to in a leisure environment and not in a club, so I picked music which I felt you didn’t have to hear loud in a club to enjoy.
Talk about what you look for in a record when playing out?
It’s all about the groove and excitement baby.
Take us into your studio; what software and hardware do you use?
I have a computer based setup with Logic, Ableton and Reason running on a G5 PowerMac, with an M-Audio Firewire Sound Card, M-Audio Axium Keyboard, and a Nord Rack Synth.
Discuss some of the remixes you’ve done that you’re most proud of? Can you give us a preview of forthcoming releases?
My current remix of Stakker ‘Humanoid’ is pretty special to me, I think James Zabiela has played it nearly ever set since I gave it to him, and I think he won’t mind me saying it’s one of his biggest tracks. Then there was my remix of DJ Pierre, and I’ve just finished the new Fedde Le Grand single, which I’m pleased with. Also, the bootleg remix of Liquid ‘Sweet Harmony’ that I worked on with Dave Spoon has been signed and should see a release after the summer.
What about your work with Audiofly, how did that come about?
Well Audiofly is Anthony and Luca, and you couldn’t wish to meet two cooler, nicer people. I wrote the drums on my laptop in the morning, took them to the studio with the guys, and we wrapped the track up in a day, we had lots of fun doing it.
Spoken Recordings is your label. What is the concept behind it? Who have you signed and what do you look for when licensing or signing a track?
Spoken Recordings is solely set up with the purpose to release James Talk singles, we don’t license others work. I will, however, ask friends or artists to do remixes for the label. We have remixes from Jim Rivers and Deadmau5 to be released this year, with an artist album from me to follow in October.
Most of the Club Class crew seem to be doing well early in their prospective careers. Do you feed off each other musically and creatively in order to help each other succeed?
A lot of the Club Class artists don’t know each other that well, so we don’t really feed off each other, we just do our own thing. Some of us are friends and we will swap ideas or ask each other for advice. Nic Fanciulli is a close friend, I speak to him a few times a week.
Where do you see dance music going over the next five years?
I think dance music is on the incline again, but I’m not an expert on such things. I think the digital age is a good thing, but again what the hell do I know?
How important it is to take care of your fan base, do you always have time to stop and talk about music?
If someone wants to chat in a club, as long as I’m not in the middle of a set, then I’m happy to say hi, people are interested they want to know what’s going on.
How does it feel playing one of your tracks out and seeing the crowd respond positively?
It’s the best feeling, I buzz off other people’s music too, but when it’s my own track I get a huge rush.
James Talk tours Australia for the first time this August:
Fri Aug 10 – Perth, Ambar
Sat Aug 11 – Melbourne, Famous
Sun Aug 12 – Gold Coast, Bedroom
Tue Aug 14 – Brisbane, Empire
Sat Aug 18 – Sydney, Famous
