James Zabiela Talks Work Methods, Bobby Brown, and the 'South Coast Mafia'

When James Zabiela was growing up he liked indie grunge. Soon after, his dad became the manager at the local record store and eventually, and much to his surprise, Zabiela became affected by the techno grooves.

Still living in Southampton, the young UK DJ and producer has witnessed a considerable growth in the music scene of his hometown. In a place where artists once competed for slots, the increase in music venues means the burgeoning talents are closer than ever.

Jasmine Phull listens as British James Zabiela reminisces to a time when (musical) ignorance truly was bliss.

During your adolescence your father managed a record store. Do you think your future would have taken a different path had he owned a convenience store? How influential was the record store?
I got my work placement there and that’s how I got into electronic music. He was bringing home a lot of techno music, which at the time I hated but by when I started working there, I stopped liking indie grunge and became totally infected by the techno grooves.

You’re originally from Southampton, UK. Have you noticed a considerable growth in the music scene there?
Yea. I have. There’s this south coast mafia thing going on. (Laughs). That’s what they call it. We’ve got Reset Robot (from Portsmouth) and Alan Fitzpartick is also doing really well with his stuff on Drum Code.

Does that mean that the music community is quite close-knit?
I think before the scene grew a bit, it was quite competitive but now that we’ve got a couple more clubs open, and the boat parties, there are gigs to go around.

You played a five-hour set in Argentina. Can you describe your physical and mental state after those 5-hours? What’s your motor oil of choice?
Oh. Just water. I don’t like to drink if I’m DJing because I lose... concentration... (Laughs). I find them exhausting because I always try and make every record fit and edit and re-arrange on the fly. My head is about to explode after about five hours. I just have to change the way I would DJ. If I was mixing one track into another I could do it for a longer amount of time. Three hours is a good length cause it keeps the balance right between the performance and ‘going on a journey’.

How does being an artist affect the way you hear other people’s songs?
If you know how everything is done it definitely destroys the enjoyment of music. When I was less knowledgeable about synthesizers and all that, there was more wonderment and magic to certain tracks. Now I pick up one of my records and say: that’s the preset from this synthesizer, but it shouldn’t matter. But there are lots of producers out there that are truly amazing like Apparat or Ramadanman. He has so much space and depth in his music yet makes it sound so simple. So there are still lots of people to learn from.

Do you have a current track you like to end a set with?
I’ve got a few. There’s a track called ‘I’m Free’ by Cats and Dogs. It’s a nice, housey vocal thing. It’s soulful. I like it to be the finisher when I’m playing at clubs.

Do you have a favourite music blog?
I read FACT mag and follow the DJs I like on Twitter. It’s great, by following certain people you’re customising your news.

What’s the first album you bought?
I’ve got two answers. A cool answer and the truth. I’ll give the truth: it was Bobby Brown remix LP called Dance You Know It. There’s a lot of cutting and pasting on the album 'cause it’s a remix LP; the tracks are chopped up and stuff. Today it’s something you could do by simply using a plug-in on a laptop. (Laughs).

Last but not least, why is collaboration better than competition?
I’m absolutely terrified of collaborating. I’m really fussy and I get nervous when I’m in the studio with other people. I like listening to a loop over and over and fiddling with it. Next week I’m going into the studio and doing a collaboration and I’m absolutely pooping my pants. It’s with two of the guys from Hot Chip, we’re just going to go in and mess around. I’m worried about the execution of the ideas: it’s about getting the idea from my head and out of the speakers... That’s what frightens me.

Interview by: Jasmine Phull
Twitter.com/j_fool

Find out all about James Zabiela at his Skiddle artist page

Catch James Zabiela at the following festivals this Summer:

Parklife Weekender

South West Four

Global Gathering