Influences: James Holroyd

Music

James Holroyd as you all should know by now has had a career in music that many people are rightly envious of. Having been an original Bugged Out resident, a long time Back To Basics resident and the Chemical Brothers tour DJ who'd warm up their live crowds, he's had a number of musical experiences that have no doubt had an influence on his sound over the years. Here, he lets us know all about a selection of tracks that have influenced his latest project 'Begin' – a label project on 8 vinyl releases.

See James Holroyd on 6th February at Universal Vibes, more information.

LISTEN

Inner City - Chord Sample -

Music never stays still so it’ll keep you on your toes. The continuous invention and reinvention (see above clip) is endless and addictive and fun too. Listen, deconstruct, rebuild. Three steps to heaven.

Environment and exposure are key. So that involves a lot of gigs and nightclubs and pubs and bedsits etc.
As a maker or listener there is an elusive holy grail in sound. You search to get there and when you do you need more. Theft, recycling and a dollop of psychedelia are important and make sure to only learn play an instrument badly!

Inner City - Chord Sample -

Music never stays still so it’ll keep you on your toes. The continuous invention and reinvention (see above clip) is endless and addictive and fun too. Listen, deconstruct, rebuild. Three steps to heaven.

Environment and exposure are key. So that involves a lot of gigs and nightclubs and pubs and bedsits etc.
As a maker or listener there is an elusive holy grail in sound. You search to get there and when you do you need more. Theft, recycling and a dollop of psychedelia are important and make sure to only learn play an instrument badly!
Mr. Fingers - Stars

I love this record. It has a DIY aspect to it that was part of the charm of early house music. The machines talk to each other in a way that still has emotion and soul. There are imperfections that add to its beauty and it could go on forever. Electronic analogue heaven.
Astrud Gilberto - Beginnings

I have a small obsession with Brazil. This is beautiful, optimistic and has the power to transport you there. Sonically there is something in 60s and 70s BraZil that creates a harmony of its own. The voices are alluring and then there’s this insane world of percussion that represents its history and culture.
Optic Nerve - Another World

Simple eerie Detroit techno. Brings back great memories. It’s desolate and broken and asking you to escape with it. Pretty much the place I was in when it was released! Music and its power of escapism…
Roy Ayers Ubiquity - The Memory

Music time stamps your life and this came to mind. It has superb musicality with a looseness of its own. It’s a Roy one amongst many I go back to. Sampled recycled bitten and still the boss.
Jana Kirschner - Idú

This is an interesting piece of horizontal stuff. It has some kind of ceremonial feel to it. It’s simple, psychedelic music created with the tones and timbres of real instruments.
Begin 'Drop'

This is one of my Begin tracks, a product of the above. And here’s another called Elate.