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Electronic Music Life with James Locksmith

Electronic Music Life with James Locksmith

By James Locksmith

Electronic Music Life is a music business, culture & lifestyle podcast for the electronic music industry and music lovers. With over twenty years experience, DJ, producer, music consultant & coach, James Locksmith and inspiring guests, shine a light on the Electronic Music industry, technology, creativity, wellness, cultural, social, spiritual, economic, political paradigms and systems. Learn about the people, their stories, experiences, careers, businesses, practical tools, resources, electronic music entrepreneurship and how to overcome obstacles.
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Currently playing episode

Astronafrica #59 Breaking cultural boundaries and pushing through politics.

Electronic Music Life with James LocksmithMar 18, 2023

00:00
44:04
Femi Kuti #65 7 Generations Of Excellence
Nov 29, 202334:45
Bill Brewster #64 Dance Music Saved My Life

Bill Brewster #64 Dance Music Saved My Life

This episode of Electronic Music Life was recorded at Verge Film Productions Studios in Dubai in March 2023 with DJ, dance music historian and journalist,  Bill Brewster. Host of DJ History and The Bill Brewster podcasts, UK’s very own driving force behind dance music culture, who has been behind the turntables and behind the pen for decades for some of the most insightful music journalism, and some of the most brilliantly documented books you'll ever read on dance music. 

Bill shares some of his incredible journey and his invaluable insights into the industry, including what has driven him that has impacted and shaped the lives of many over the years in dance music. 

FOLLOW BILL BREWSTER:

https://www.instagram.com/bill_brewster/

Sep 24, 202331:15
Jazzie B OBE Soul II Soul #63 Forever evolving with music

Jazzie B OBE Soul II Soul #63 Forever evolving with music

This episode of Electronic Music Life was recorded in front of a live audience in Sydney in March 2023 with Jazzie B of iconic collective  Soul II Soul, during a sold out tour of Australia with James Locksmith and Paris Pompor of Groovescooter. We sat back and listened to a dive deep into Jazzie B's incredible journey. Jazzie shares some of the highs, the challenges, and some moments that have defined his remarkable career., and his views on the ever-evolving dance music scene.

Soul II Soul has been a driving force in the music industry for over three decades, creating timeless classics like "Back to Life" and "Keep on Movin'." They revolutionized the British music scene, blending soulful melodies with cutting-edge electronic beats, and became the embodiment of cool, effortlessly transcending genres.

Jazzie B, the mastermind behind this iconic collective, has been a relentless innovator, not only in music but also in fashion and culture. His influence knows no bounds, and his legacy continues to shape the global electronic music landscape.

Brought to you by the good people of Inner Sauce, Groovescooter, 2SERFM Sydney, Radio alHara Palestine and Electronic Music Life.

FOLLOW JAZZIE B OBE:

https://jazzieb.co.uk/

Sep 10, 202358:06
Nicky Siano #62 Bringing Back The Love To Dance Music

Nicky Siano #62 Bringing Back The Love To Dance Music

In this episode of Electronic Music Life with James Locksmith is with dance music icon and one  most influential figure Nicky Siano. Founder of the legendary Gallery, original resident of Studio 54, disco DJ, philanthropist and avid meditator. Mr Siano sat with James and shared some of his simple yet so important ways to keep dance music’s essence, keeping the purpose of the culture, some modern music perspective and why original dance music is so relevant today more than ever, his work with AIDS victims and the power of meditation on his life and DJing.

FOLLOW NICKY SIANO:

https://www.patreon.com/nickysiano

Aug 27, 202326:41
Putrika #61 Perseverance, shutting down imposter syndrome, sharpening skills, a sync deal with Netflix.
Apr 09, 202328:37
Rudoh #60 From Karachi to Boston, Pakistan's exciting and emerging electronic music
Apr 01, 202348:37
Astronafrica #59 Breaking cultural boundaries and pushing through politics.
Mar 18, 202344:04
Disco Arabesquo #58 On 80's Egyptian cassette love letters, ethical licensing and artist acknowledgement.
Jan 21, 202344:09
Martha van Straaten #57 On Traveling Without Moving: The Positive Effects Of Cultural Limitations.
Jan 07, 202337:60
Tooli (Local Talk) #56 On Multiple LABEL Management, A&R and Tenacity.
Dec 30, 202243:23
Sticky Dojah #55 On Skills, Risk Taking equal Luck and Opportunities
Dec 24, 202257:43
Rob Garza (Thievery Corporation) #54 Musical Stories of Yemen
Dec 15, 202233:10
Lawerence Millar #53 The Future of Music Festivals & Brand Collaborations
Dec 14, 202201:12:41
Izzy Naud #52 On Fighting Working Musician Stress with Tai Chi and Meditation.
Nov 29, 202239:02
Ariane Paras #51 How A NEAR DEATH Experience Helps You Find New Focus & Appreciation
Nov 16, 202249:03
Tyler Stone #50 Building Connections In Real Life Leaves A Memorable Impact!
Oct 29, 202252:53
Mark De Clive Lowe #49 On Web3, NFT & The Evolution of the Music Industry.
Oct 21, 202201:06:53
Ennio Styles #48 On the never ending thrill of the search and positive music business grinding.
Oct 15, 202247:50
Pooja B #47 On performance anxiety, ADHD management and mental health in electronic music.
Oct 05, 202201:07:49
DJ Plead #46 On the current impact of touring, the importance of learning and diversifying your music business.
Sep 28, 202245:13
Salar Ansari #45 On his road from Tehran to Detroit, creating a new life following your heart.
Sep 21, 202255:45
Matty Adams #44 On rising from suicidal ideation and celebrating yourself.
Sep 14, 202238:56
Byron The Aquarius #43 On surrounding yourself with support, the importance of understanding music business is as important as your art.
Sep 08, 202245:38
Zeb Samuels #42 Distribution today, the new digital and vinyl revolution, the impact on the environment and indie label operations
Aug 31, 202249:45
Christine Kakaire #41 On electronic music culture journalism, industry auditing, privilege and equality.
Aug 23, 202242:42
DRĖĖĖMY #40 On balancing spiritual, personal and entrepreneurial growth, and deconstructing patriarchal systems of thoughts and behavior in the music industry.
Aug 17, 202251:41
Alton Miller #39 On his early Detroit electronic music experiences, working in label services and a slow burn career.

Alton Miller #39 On his early Detroit electronic music experiences, working in label services and a slow burn career.

In this episode I’m speaking with Chicago born, Detroit raised DJ, music producer, musician Alton Miller, who is widely known for his impact and as a pioneer of Detroit electronic music culture. Having started legendary club night Music Institute with George Baker and Chez Demier, working on Kevin Saunderson’s KMS Records, Derrick May’s label Transmat, signed artists like Joey Beltram, releasing five albums of his own, including a long list of EP’s and touring the world for over three decades. Miller currently resides in Johannesburg, and during COVID, launched his own Beard grooming product line and a non for profit to develop skills and empowering young women in rural areas of South Africa, while continuing to release music. I sat down with Alton Miller at the end of an impromptu Australian tour, which he described as an exploration to revisit his footprints and to commence touring again to spread house and soul music to the world. We spoke about his early Detroit experiences and some recent ones, his label work throughout the years, his recent contribution projects and the choice of a “slow burn” career in electronic music.

FOLLOW ALTON MILLER:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alton_Miller

https://www.instagram.com/djaltonmiller

Aug 10, 202241:06
Inkswel #38 On breath work, trauma-informed, indie label and music production.
Aug 03, 202248:25
EdSeven #37 On nurturing listening parties, sharing and creating imperfect music production for sound identity and craft development.

EdSeven #37 On nurturing listening parties, sharing and creating imperfect music production for sound identity and craft development.

In this episode I’m speaking with Sydney DJ/Producer Edseven, recorded at his home studio, aka Vintage Hifi For Plants. Eddie O’Loughlan has built a rock-solid reputation over the last 20 years, sharing the stage with the likes of Gilles Peterson, Peanut Butter Wolf, Norman Jay, IG Culture and many more across Australia, New York, Berlin, Detroit, LA, Paris and Amsterdam. Collaborating with artists including Steve Spacek, Colonel Red, Inkswel, Kid Sublime, Ahu, Megatronic and releasing music on labels like CoOp, Turntables on the Hudson, City Fly and Inner Tribe. We spoke about his deliberate listening parties, sharing music production in imperfection for identity to form and using time effectively to create imperfectly, to keep creativity, mastering the craft and production flowing.  

FOLLOW EDSEVEN: 

https://www.instagram.com/edseven/ 

https://www.instagram.com/vintage_hifi_plants/ 

https://linktr.ee/edseven

Jul 27, 202231:22
Simon Shackleton #36 On making Emotive Electronica, daily self-care, and project management tools | Electronic Music Life #36

Simon Shackleton #36 On making Emotive Electronica, daily self-care, and project management tools | Electronic Music Life #36

In this episode I’m speaking with English DJ, producer, and electronic musician, Simon Shackleton. His music has appeared in films The Matrix, Arlington Road and Charlie's Angels. From 1996, he has performed as a solo electronic music producer under a number of aliases including the multi-genre Elite Force. Widely recognized as one of the leading proponents of the emergent Tech-Funk movement, fusing house, breakbeat and electro. He has toured the world as a DJ, many times over playing big club rooms and festivals. Simon and I spoke about project management tools, self-care, his new production work, which he describes as emotive electronica and his new live show.    


FOLLOW SIMON SHACKELTON: 

http://www.simonshackleton.org
https://www.instagram.com/simonshackletonmusic/

https://soundcloud.com/simon_shackleton

Jul 20, 202247:38
Allysha Joy #35 On gender music politics, UK music support, how to avoid touring burnout.

Allysha Joy #35 On gender music politics, UK music support, how to avoid touring burnout.

In this episode I’m speaking with singer, songwriter, poet, lyricsit, musician, producer, selector, Worldwide FM radio host, Allysha Joy. Currently based in the UK, Allysha and I recently spoke at the start of a long list of her European touring dates to follow from her latest solo album Torn : Tonic on First Word Records. While happily based in the Northern hemisphere for the coming months, a full schedule of production sessions have been booked to work on more music. We spoke about gender politics in music, being supported by the UK music scene and how to avoid burnout while touring.   

FOLLOW ALLYSHA JOY: 

http://allyshajoy.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/allysha_joy/

Jul 13, 202244:48
Ruby Savage #34 On the science of community, a creative block solution, ending music industry harassment and a hopeful future

Ruby Savage #34 On the science of community, a creative block solution, ending music industry harassment and a hopeful future

In this episode I’m speaking with Amsterdam born, Margate UK based DJ, culture curator, and program facilitator, Ruby Savage. I wanted to talk with Ruby because I came across her creative program Artist Recovery Club. I learned about her Don’t Be A Creep, an anti-harassment in nightlife and clubbing project and her involvement as co-curator for The Future Happened that took place virtually during the pandemic in August 2021, Atlanta USA. Ruby has carved a career in music, through label work, radio, DJing, producing, curating events and creating projects to improve the music industry and enhance individuals careers and businesses. I had to have her on the podcast. We spoke about the science of community, getting out of creative blocks, a hopeful conscious and exciting music future, and ending harassment on dance floors and in the music industry.  

FOLLOW RUBY SAVAGE: 

www.rubysavage.com 

https://www.instagram.com/rubysound/ 

Jul 06, 202247:52
Jamie 3:26 #33 On whitewashing in dance music, hypnotherapy, mindfulness and his sobriety journey.
Jun 29, 202201:04:23
Moktar #32 On embracing Arabic, Egyptian and Australian life, racism and cultural expression through electronic, club music and Arabic instrumentation.
Jun 24, 202232:01
Moving Still #31 On using cold showers and meditation and the rise of SWANA region music across the globe.
Jun 17, 202243:10
Coco Maria #30 On music and art therapy, the impact of migration and the importance of music career mental health.

Coco Maria #30 On music and art therapy, the impact of migration and the importance of music career mental health.

Jun 10, 202245:15
DJ Rashida #29 On the unavoidable human conscious shift, daily success rituals, the power of gratitude and intention.
Jun 03, 202249:27
Jad Yazbek aka Ledwarf (Feedasoul Records) #28 On building an independent dance label in the SWANA region, Lebanon's unavoidable resilience and oppression.
May 27, 202243:59
Raji Rags (NTS Radio, A&R, ex-Head of Music Boiler Room) #27 On A&R, productivity, the music career decision and being recognised across multiple genres.

Raji Rags (NTS Radio, A&R, ex-Head of Music Boiler Room) #27 On A&R, productivity, the music career decision and being recognised across multiple genres.

In this episode, I’m speaking with a London born and raised DJ, radio host, A&R guy, curator, consultant Raj Chaudhuri (aka Raji Rags) who is considered in his hometown and around the globe as a key tastemaker from electronic music, hip hop, house and techno. You may recognise him from NTS Radio or previously Head of Music for Boiler Room. He has worked on releases by the likes of Objekt, Hudson Mohawke, Flying Lotus,, Nosaj Thing and Marcel Dettmann to name a few. Raj has established himself as one of the most pivotal figures not only in the London music landscape, also across many cities and as a trusted DJ.

Taken from my archive of pandemic interviews, this conversation took place in November 2020. Raji and I spoke about A&R, record releases and making use of your time productively during the pandemic. We discussed our love for hip hop from at a young age, the choice of a music career against the conventional career and being recognised musically across multiple genres, globally.

FOLLOW RAGI RAGS:

https://linktr.ee/RajiRags

https://www.instagram.com/rajirags/

May 20, 202254:18
Niara Sterling #26 On The art of multiplicity, honoring boundaries, community support and herbal medicines.
May 13, 202251:34
Natalie Shooter #25 On her contribution to the Disco Heterotopias' book, the rise of SWANA region community radio and music journalism in the Arab world.

Natalie Shooter #25 On her contribution to the Disco Heterotopias' book, the rise of SWANA region community radio and music journalism in the Arab world.

From the Electronic Music Life archive, James Locksmith speaks with dear friend, writer, editor, music historian, DJ, co-founding member of the Beirut Groove Collective - NATALIE SHOOTER. Natalie was based in Beirut just over a decade, before moving back to the UK, running parties with DJ’s Enersto Chahoud, her husband and event partner and DJ, journalist and filmmaker Jackson Allers. Together they are the Beirut Groove Collective, a traveling club night that was formed in Beirut in 2010 to bring awareness to lost gems of the Arab world, North Africa and bring homage to UK Northern soul, weird Italo disco, rare US funk, soul Jazz and other obscurities in between.

Recorded in November 2020 they spoke about Natalie’s involvement in the Global Dance Cultures of the 1970s and 1980s: "Disco Heterotopias' book" which includes a chapter by her and Ernesto Chahoud on disco music and the nightlife scene in Lebanon during the civil war, tracing the story of early disco singles by Elias and Ziad Rahbani and Ihsan Al Mounzer, Raja Zahr and Mohammed Jamal. It also features interviews with Ziad Rahbani and Jacqueline 'Monroe' to name a few. They also spoke about the rise of community radio in the SWANA region, dancing on zoom and clubbing culture during the pandemic. And Natalie's contribution as a journalist in the SWANA region, from her early Time Out Beirut days to features on Belly Dance Disco on Al Jazeera in 2021.


Follow Natalie Shooter:

https://www.instagram.com/natshooter/

https://www.instagram.com/beirutgroovecollective/

May 06, 202246:33
Nadine El Roubi #24 On self-confidence, self-awareness, balancing planning, discipline and being present.
Apr 29, 202244:32
Mz Rizk #23 On the importance of Youth music projects, Lebanese hospitality and inclusion in Australia's music industry.
Dec 21, 202046:57
Daniela Cannizzaro #22 On developing resilience, workplace politics and focussing on oneself.
Dec 17, 202034:33
Dallas Tamaira aka Joe Dukie #21 On the artist's power of authenticity and self-acceptance.
Dec 07, 202041:31
Zed Bias #20 On The road to health transformation and keeping relevant.
Dec 01, 202050:06
Dexter Story #19 On the power of self-talk, cultural relativism, context and using self reflection to overcome fear and challenges.
Nov 20, 202039:13
Blinky Bill #18 On Pushing on, moving forward, shifting culture and creating change.
Nov 17, 202047:14
Zepherin Saint #17 On Overcoming fear, rejection and the importance of collaboration
Nov 12, 202055:22
Vzline #16 On Lucid dreaming and your creative process, finding inspiration and overcoming blocks.

Vzline #16 On Lucid dreaming and your creative process, finding inspiration and overcoming blocks.

In this episode of Electronic Music Life with James Locksmith, recorded in early October 2020, is with Eileen Vasquez aka VZLINE, an emerging musician, music producer, poet, DJ, and vocalist, fusing hip hop, jazz, synth pop, new wave and electronic music. James and Eileen met earlier that year right before the pandemic at Femme Fest in Dubai where VZLINE performed and he discovered her obsession with lucid dreaming and her creative process. The world of dreams and interpretations has been a strong interest of James's since a young boy and was fascinated to learn about her discoveries, experiences and relationship to dreaming, to see if there were ways to answer some of his own questions.

FOLLOW VZLINE:

https://www.instagram.com/vzline/

Nov 09, 202034:11