It was only a few years ago that James What was turning down DJ gigs. He had studied music and played instruments for most of his life, an education that left him almost completely uninterested in turntables.
“While I was still playing bands in the early 2000s I Ianded a few odd gigs for pocket money to play down-tempo lounge or jazzy stuff,” says What. “Even once I started releasing house music in 2005 I was focused on the live in act rather than DJing.”
What thought he needed more time to learn about electronic music. But it was during that training period that he actually ended up finding his calling. What became hooked on DJing and production, digging into classic house music, raw techno and minimal sounds. He’s now one of the UK’s premier up-and-coming DJs, a status cemented by his collaborations with major labels like Crosstown Rebels and Poker Flat.
“My first release as James What was in 2006, it was a collaboration with Federico from Italoboyz and somehow they managed not to credit me properly on the record,” he explains. “So I was quite upset.”
Despite the setback, he buckled down in the studio and worked tirelessly to improve his abilities. And for What, the mistake turned out to be a good thing – he says his sound has evolved leaps and bounds since that first record.
“That music was very stripped down and quite experimental so it has changed quite a lot since,” he explains. “I’ve learnt so much about music and production in that time.”
What has a reputation as a master of early morning sets, the time slot most coveted by DJs. It can also be the most challenging, as when the sun comes up, the crowd can start to thin. According to What, all it takes are “the right records the right people and a bit of luck” to keep the energy going.
“It’s more a reference to the weird and trippy touch I try to put on some tracks,” he says. “But early in the morning is definitely a time where the crowd can be more open to experimenting and hearing different music.”
In just a few years, What’s career has also brought him around the globe, more recently to Tokyo and South Africa and last year to the Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert. He joked about the outrageous antics on the Robot Heart bus, though slyly refused to give any details.
What is now based in London, but admits he isn’t immersed in the scene at the moment. He’s back in the studio, hunkering down to work on a new album with UK DJ and producer Dan Berkson, also of Crosstown Rebels. What’s Bangkok debut at Glow Nightclub will be a short and swift adventure, then it’s back to London post-haste – not for partying, but production. James What couldn’t be happier with this arrangement.
“There’s still lots of cool parties and artists in town all the time although I must say I’m not out and about in London as much as I used to be,” he says. “I try to get work done when I’m there.”
FIND IT:
With Love presents James What
Glow Nightclub
Sukhumvit 23
Friday, July 26. Doors open at 10pm
Entry is THB 400 including one drink
