JAM3S K3NN3DY Interview
March 16th, 2012 ⋅ Features, News ⋅ by Digi Moses ⋅ 791 Views
When it comes to the explosion of the EDM scene in the last couple of years, one has to look to people who contributed to the rise and popularity as well as the music theat geared it. With names like Avicii, Steve Aoki and David Guetta, we instantly think of the songs that have been popularized on the radio today. Thanks to their success and of countless other DJ’s, more and more young producers have been producing music at a younger age but at the same quality (and even higher we would argue) than half of the most popular DJ’s today
Here at Digi10ve, while we celebrate and write about where the big artists are headed in the scene, we like to catch and learn more about these young producers and DJ’s who are contributing their own unique sound each and everyday as they make a name for themselves in this adapting industry.
Today, we caught up with James Kennedy, a young LA electro-house who’s affiliated with Interscope Records, that just finished opening with Steve Aoki & Datsik who were touring in Arizona on their Deadmeat Tour last week. Here’s what he had to say
A young producer like you is going far! Where did you start out getting into the scene and producing your music?
Basically I was born and raised up in London UK. I was sort of thrown in the middle of the EDM scene when my parents decided to move to Ibiza with the family when I was about fourteen years old. It was completely surreal seeing acts like Tiesto & David Guetta at such a young age, just walking into Pacha my first time was an amazing sight to see, with all the lights, women, and of course the bass was H.A.M. Honestly from then on I was in the mix, an I wasn’t transitioning any time soon!
When you were trying to get your music recognized, what was it like trying to get noticed or heard?
Obviously social networks nowadays are the main source to getting your music heard, I started out producing, getting some tracks together and eventually the tracks got better, and sounds started to get nastier, it was then when I started using things like Soundcloud, Facebook and of course Youtube to get my name out there and start getting some hits.
What type of sound were you looking for when you created you very first track?
I honestly wanted to make something with a fat drop you know? Huge build, quirky vocal, then drop it with some kind of bass! It was hard at first, with so many ideas flying round my head; I hardly had enough time to jot them all down. However I quickly learnt that the more time spent on whether you’re making an original mix, building a sound, or just trying to put something together. The more practice that goes in the fatter the tracks come out.
How would you describe that sound now?
“Now” sounds like such a harsh word because the sounds get better each and everyday, and I can say that they have become cleaner, fatter, and the overall production of my tracks are definitely on its way to something I see or “hear” in my head, but music develops everyday and I’m super excited for the future in not only my music but EDM in general. One day the bass is going to get so fat that it will literally blow the crowd away!
Where did you get your inspiration from? Has anyone mentored you?
Oh man… I couldn’t name everyone that inspires me just because there are so many artists out there! In the start it was acts like David Guetta, but that was years ago… today I could name people like Porter Robinson, Dada Life, Koan Sound: these are all amazing artists that inspire me each and everyday! As for “have I been mentored?” No I haven’t, the producing started one day when I saw a live set open on my mate’s laptop, the next day I got some software and stared at it for months. Everyday after high school, instead of sports or chess club, I was running home to make more music, and I picked up on it quick and had some stuff online within a couple months or so, which didn’t sound great but hey! It’s a start!
When it comes to preparing to open for DJ’s like Afrojack, Modstep, Steve Aoki or Datsik, what goes through your head and what preparations do you make before the show?
Honestly not many, I mean, I get some BANGER tracks together, see what works well with what and I just go out there and do my thing, just me and the CDJ’S, nothing else. As for what’s going on in my head? I do get nervous, start pacing around the backstage area before every show but as soon as I press play on the opening track all those nerves fade away… it sounds like a novel, but it should be a movie!
Let’s get technical for a bit. What software do you use to create your sounds?
I use Ableton to map out the music, Pro Tools for a tight mix down, but as for what I build my sounds on I’d say Massive, Vanguard, Sylenth1 and of course a few other secrets!
Tell us your essential DJ hardware in the studio and when you’re performing live.
As far as Hardware in the studio I really just need my Midi’s around me with my laptop,and of course some massive speakers too! That always helps! When playing live sets, Pioneer always do the job. Love the MK2000′s and the 900 mixer! It’s really about the music and the crowd, if both of those are good, then it’s going to be a great night!
So what’s next for Jam3s K3nn3dy? Have any upcoming collaborations, tours, or anything you can share with us?
Obviously Ultra Music Festival is coming up… so that’s going to be fun! I am working with some artists over here on the Interscope side which I couldn’t be more excited for. As for a tour I’ll be working on some production for a while before that happens, but when it does, the tracks to back it up are going to be major! Collabs? You’ll have to wait see!
One last question: When its time to perform or make music, is there anything you do to get yourself pumped?
Gotta have a cupcake an a shot of vodka an I’m good!
Thank you for your time James! Is there anything you would like to say before we finish?
Yes! Shoutout to my team at Interscope Records! You lot are amazing! “DirtboxMusic”.com (DBM)” Thank you for the support! & of course all the peeps that listen to my music, you’re all amazing! Cheers!
Below you can find 2 of Jam3s’ best tracks and an exclusive preview of his newest track, Shut the Funk Up!
Incoming (Original Mix)
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It Has Awakened (Original Mix)
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Shut the Funk Up (Digi Exclusive Preview)
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