MUSIC CROWNS SITS DOWN WITH UK DANCE MUSIC PROSPECT BRADLEY JAMES
This week Music Crowns sat down with Bradley James, a young up and comer that’s been turning a few heads in the UK with his promising blend of deep and progressive productions that are lined up for releases in the back end of 2014 and early into next year.
What’s happening in your world this week Bradley?
This week will consist of excessive studio work, with a few new tracks getting finished and polished off. I’ve had them in the pipeline for a while so now it’s time to get my head down and get them finished and ready for release.
Where are you currently based?
Currently, I’m based in the West Midlands, with a home studio that is gradually becoming a minefield of equipment. I started my journey into the dance music scene in this room, so it holds a lot of memories for me, but I think it’s definitely time to expand.
Your musical influences growing up?
Deadmau5, Deadmau5, Deadmau5. I was his biggest fan – to the point where I spent hours building replica deadmau5 heads. I love the attention to detail that is noticeable in every single production. His track ‘Not Exactly’ was the main reason I started to look into production, as I just loved the synths.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJDx9dUcaGA]
Where do you place/describe your sound right now?
It’s difficult to say, as I’m still experimenting with different sounds, but I have some stuff hopefully coming out soon that is a similar style to EDX and old-school Deadmau5. After producing some more electro and deep house tracks, I’ve had a lot of fun working on more complex melodies.
How long have you now been actively making music?
I’ve been working on my own productions for about 3-4 years now, but it’s been in the past year or so that I’ve realised that this is what I want to do as a full-time career, so much so that I turned down the opportunity to go to University to instead concentrate on developing a career in the music industry.
All time top five dance music records of all time?
1. Deadmau5 – Raise Your Weapon
2. Disclosure – Defeated No More
3. EDX – Reckless Ardor
4. Steve Aoki, Chris Lake, Tujamo – Boneless
5. Deorro – Yee
Who’s the best producer in the world and why?
Deadmau5. Sorry to mention him again. I love how he doesn’t follow trends, and just sticks to making good, high quality music that is instantly recognisable as a Deadmau5 track, yet still different to all other of his tracks. His tracks get played on a daily basis for me, as the level of production is truly remarkable.
Who’s the best DJ in the world and why?
I listen to a lot of radio shows, mixes and sessions, so it’s difficult to pick just one top DJ, but I do enjoy Kill The Noise’s mixes, as I admire the way he works with different genres, and uses different techniques and FX. A similar style of DJ that I love listening to is Zane Lowe – who I saw live back in 2011, as he appeals to such a wide audience, spanning from us that are in to dance, to people in to rock, all in one mix.
Who’s inspiring you in 2014?
At the minute, I’m really impressed with Oliver Heldens, EDX, Pierce Fulton and Don Diablo. Oliver Heldens has done a great job in bringing the future house scene into the limelight, and I really like that signature sound that he’s producing – so infectious! EDX has just been making some of the most well-produced material of his career, with a string of more deep house style tracks really displaying his skill and ability.
What have you got lined up for us in the next six months?
Hopefully, there will be a tonne of new releases, as I really want to build up a bit of a catalogue of releases, before hopefully looking at hitting the road. Got a great selection of tracks that are just waiting to be released, which, I think, display some of my best work so far.
Tell us a little about your production setup and workflow?
Once I’m into a track, I struggle to stop myself, as I can’t just leave a track at a random point. As for setup, I’m more for digital, so I only use an Akai MPK49, with a pair of Rokit RP8 G3’s.
Top three synths or VST plug-ins?
I’ve used Propellerhead’s Reason ever since starting production, so I’ve constantly been around the Thor Polysonic Synthesiser, the Malström Graintable Synthesiser and the SubTractor Analog Synthesiser. I’ve worked with them since the start, so they have became a pivotal tool in my production.
What’s your DAW of choice?
Currently, I’m using Reason 8, as it’s like home to me when it comes to production. I do everything inside of Reason as it’s such a powerful DAW – a lot more powerful that people think. I love how it’s set up like real analog synths on a rack, and how you can press a button and flip round to the back to rewire the synths and effects. The introduction of Propellerhead’s take on VST plug-ins – Rack Extensions – put the icing on the cake for me. They’re all hand-picked by Propellerhead’s, so they all work and function incredibly well with all of the other devices.
Have you always used that?
Yes, and I think I always will! It will take a lot to make me change to a different DAW. I’ve worked with Logic on a few projects, but I found I couldn’t work as well, and things didn’t flow as well, so in Reason I’d be playing the track back and then go ‘yeah this is what I need’, and go and do it, but in Logic, I just felt lost, and it took too long to create the sound I wanted.
Do you do much sampling?
I try to avoid sampling as much as possible, but I have had some experience with sampling when completing a course in Music Technology that I took as part of my A Levels. I feel like sampling is too restrictive, and that I can’t work at my best with samples, but then again I haven’t had that much experience with manipulating samples, so I’m not as knowledgeable as other when it comes to using samples.
Favourite frequency?
I think everyone likes a nice fat sub bass at 60Hz.
Top tip for upcoming producers trying to improve their sound?
Take your time. When I very first started producing music, I produced a track everyday and just uploaded it straight to Soundcloud. It didn’t take long for me to have that moment where you listen to your own track back a while later and think “what was I thinking?” One of the best things I ever did was stop myself from uploading a track because I was a bit unsure on the lead, so I then spent my time on perfecting the right sound, and before I knew it, I had changed almost all of the tracks elements and it was sounding 10 times better.
Not many people know that Bradley James is really good at ………
Photography and designing my artwork. Somehow, I got an A in A-Level Photography which I don’t really understand how happened!
If you had to listen to only one producer’s music forever – who would it be and why?
Deadmau5. I will never get tired of that level of production quality. Even some of his tracks from 5+ years ago still sound fresh and new, and I think they will do for another 5+ years.
What toppings do you have on your pizza?
Any kind of meat. Bacon, ham, pepperoni, chorizo, you name it, I’ll have it on my pizza.
Have you ever pressed stop on the wrong CDJ in a club?
Luckily, no, but it did happen at a party when I used to do a little bit of Mobile DJing when I was 15 or so, but on my Traktor S4 the buttons are quite soft so I was able to click play again within half a second so it just sounded like a glitch. I don’t think anyone noticed, but I think that might have been because of their alcohol intake.
The best film ever is?
Got to be the Fast and Furious Collection, but don’t ask me to choose which one!
Ibiza or Miami?
Always fancied Miami, I watch Ultra sets from Miami every year and it gives me goosebumps seeing the enormous crowd, with the towers and skyscrapers in the background.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nGjmPIh0w4]
If you could play a B2B set with any DJ – who would it be and why?
It would probably have to be Skrillex because of the energy that he brings on stage. I saw him back in 2012 and as soon as he came out, the place was just buzzing.
If you could collaborate with any artist alive or dead – who would it be and why?
After looking up to him for so long, it would have to be Deadmau5. It would be great to see how he works.
Thanks Bradley.
Bradley James is due to launch a string of releases into the winter season and looks set for big things in 2015. Stayed tunes for more.
Bradley James Online
https://www.bradleyjames.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/bradleyjamesmusic
