Q&A: James What

James What is one busy man. The French born DJ relocated from southern France to London to develop his passion for music in 1999 and since then has been dropping releases across some of the industry’s most recognized labels including Crosstown Rebels, Poker Flat, Dessous and Murmur. Whenever he’s not in the studio, the talented DJ has been gracing the decks at some of the most significant festivals and venues across the planet, from institutions like Sonar to London’s eponymous Fabric.

From Cape Town to Colombia, the talented DJ and producer has been delivering up his chunky tech sound with lashings of house flair both as both a solo artist and in partnership with long time collaborator Dan Berkson since 2006. Earlier in the year the pair embarked on their most ambitious project to date; the establishment of their own record label, Modelmaker records. With Berkson and What’s latest release, a ten year introspective under their belt, the duo have crafted the ultimate platform to release their innovative sound on their terms and are preparing to drop releases from a carefully curated team of new talent.

James took some time out of his busy schedule for an exclusive interview with Mixmag Asia where he discusses his recent relocation to Thailand, famous artists in his family tree and getting his head around using CDJs for the first time (whilst playing at Burning Man’s most infamous sound stage, Robot Heart).

James What will present 10 Year Retrospective at Glow on Friday September 18th, 2015. The compilation came out on Poker Flat on September 11.

You moved from your home in the south of France to London to study music. Have you always had a passion for music?

Yes I’ve had a passion for music as far back as I can remember. I think when I was about five I heard a jazz band playing live and immediately wanted to start learning drums, it was so exciting. After that I quickly starting collecting anything to do with music, instruments or recording.

Do you still remember how you got in touch with electronic dance music in the first place? What made you want to start with DJing and how did you learn it?

I think the first electronic music record I bought when I was still living in France was Aphex Twin’s Come to Daddy in 1997 and it blew my mind. So original and different than anything I had heard before andIi listened to it on repeat for weeks. But it wasn’t until I moved to London in 1999 that I really starting discovering more about electronic music scene. I came into electronic music from the production side, first trying to imitate what I heard out in the clubs, and slowly learning more about the labels, artists and DJs out there. As I made new friends in London they introduced me to different sides of dance music like drum and bass, deep house or techno.

Tell us some more about your new label Modelmaker?

I started Modelmaker with Dan Berkson, with whom I’ve been working with since 2005. With all our new material and album project we found we didn’t quite fit in with the labels we had worked with before so we decided it was time to start our own label and be able to release and support other artists that we like as well. The whole identity of Modelmaker is based on the idea of something hand crafted in the studio, made with machines or at least with the feel and random factor that you would get working in that way. We both have a production background so we’re also quite picky about how things should sound. All the artwork is based on woodcuts by my great grandfather Conrad Felixmüller who was a well-known German expressionist. The texture of woodcuts, the sound and texture of vinyl, the analog sound of machines, there is something organic which we love in those things and which seemed to fit together quite naturally when we were looking for the identity of the label. We’ve put a lot of attention into making beautiful records and each vinyl release features full cover artwork.

You’ve had releases on major labels like Crosstown Rebels and Get Physical. How has the learning curve gone in moving from DJing and production to running your own label?

There definitely was a lot to learn to get to that point, but I had plenty of time to do it. I guess the toughest part was the frustration at the beginning trying to get the machines and software to work how I wanted, I still think the best way to learn and remember that is just to struggle technical problems, but then you always remember once you figure it out. The second major challenge was understanding enough about the music to find out where my music fits and who would release it, that took some time as well.

What else have you got lined up this year, both personally and with Modelmaker?

Next up on Modelmaker we have another Berkson & What release with remixes by Franck Roger, Cesar Merveille and Qzen. We also have another couple of tracks coming soon on Touch of Class Records.

I’m living in northern Thailand now, so planning new projects from here and it’s really exciting to be based in a new territory. I’m hoping to be based here for a few years at least.

How would you describe your music in a few words?

Electronic dance music, from house and techno. I collect sounds and electronic instruments and try to make an interesting patchwork that can work on the dance floor.

What tracks would you recommend to those that are not yet familiar with your music?

Make It true feat. JoJo De Freq – Play It Say it
It feels Wrong – Poker Flat
The Dig – Poker Flat
About Love – Crosstown Rebel

In the past few months you’ve played in Colombia, Greece, Mexico and South Africa. This current tour will see you play in Saigon, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Thailand. Is there anywhere that is still on your bucket list to play?

Yes there are many places I would still like to play in Asia and all around the world. Osaka, Seoul, Singapore, Buenos Aires, there’s a long list!

In terms of venues could probably narrow that down to just a few like Womb in Tokyo or Robert Jonson in Offenbach.

What are your personal career highlights, fondest memories, and what were the best and the worst gigs you ever played?

Probably playing at Panorama Bar and Fabric are the highlights, it is really special to play those venues for the first time, and hearing your music on those sound systems. Robot heart in 2013 was also really special for me, and actually the first time I ever used CDJs.

What can partygoers expect of your upcoming shows for this Asian tour?

As always I’m presenting the music I love, hoping to bring people together and celebrate life. I can’t really say what to expect musically it really can change from city to city, especially in Asia, more techno, more deep or tech house, I have to adapt to different scenes and different crowds.