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past - always listening. growing up in the windy city and raised
on a steady diet of
chicago
house and detroit techno, james developed an early appreciation for the funkier
and more experimental forms of electronic music. while attending university in
new york, he also had the opportunity to work and live abroad for an extended
period of time. spending time overseas in australia and Europe, james found his
thinking challenged in many ways and his musical tastes also shifted
significantly as he found himself attending club nights and parties of many
different flavors. through several influential DJs and artists he listened to
on a regular basis, he quickly learned to appreciate a style of music that was
fundamentally different in several ways. he held onto these sounds and
experiences very tightly in his mind and tucked them away for a later time.
in 1999 james returned to
chicago
and after establishing himself as a 'local underground DJ' he eventually found
himself throwing regular underground parties and loud all-night loft type
affairs. some of them got to be quite large. he continued buying records and
his passion for finding absolute quality often kept him up late at night. james
slowly amassed a record collection capable to inspire rooms of any size. his
early djing efforts managed to turn some ears and move a few feet and his hard
work eventually earned him guest spots at several of chicago's most respected
clubs.
in 2002
james began broadcasting a new show called ‘diversified portfolio’ on WNUR
89.3FM airing every week locally in chicago. WNUR still stands today as one of
the few independent radio stations left in the united states and the former
radio home of derrick carter, mark farina and many of chicago’s other legendary
dj’s during dance music’s explosion in the 1980’s and 1990’s. broadcasting today
as one of the largest non-commercial alternatives to corporate radio in the
U.S., WNUR provided james with an opportunity to express his unique style and
showcase a diverse range of electronic music that was rarely broadcast or heard
anywhere else. diversified portfolio continues to air live wednesday nights in
chicago and features regular guest mixes from the city’s most forward thinking
dj’s and other international guests. it was also around this time that james was
asked to contribute his mixes to other important radio outlets around the globe
including xm satellite radio, xtc radio london and proton radio where he has
began hosting his now widely anticipated chicago underground sessions.
in 2006 james launched his own artist agency (www.TheKnockList.com)
which for a time managed worldwide bookings, remix projects and additional
efforts for several rising electronic artists who make particularly creative and
forward thinking music.
2007-2008 james is rather busy most of the time but somehow manages to hold it
all together. he still finds just enough time for throwing things around a
modest studio space that he also calls his home. his neighbors get
seriously pissed off at him from time to time but he is always trying to be a
better and more friendly person. he is only taking on select dj dates at
the moment but can be found holding down sunday nights @
smartbar
in chicago
(myspace.com/theendchicago).future - coming soon.
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