James Talk's first release 'Eggs Are Cute' is getting heavy support from Sasha, Gabriel & Dresden, ... so things are looking good for him. But what does he have to say about it all?? Read on for the full interview...

Hey James,

Thanks for doing this interview =)
No worries, thanks for asking.
Let’s begin.

Could you tell us a bit more about yourself? Who you are, hobbies, work or study, girlfriend, pets....
Well my name is James Talk, I’m 20 yrs old and I live in the UK. Apart from music my hobbies include, sleeping, eating, cooking, clubbing and watching films. I’m working over the summer, but start a degree in September in Music Technology. Girlfriend…..No! But I am looking…

Where did you get the inspiration for Eggs Are Cute, and where did you get that title?
Well EAC evolved over 6 months and went through many different stages. I suppose, one big influence was I was sick of very mediocre progressive records being released, with no melody, and no excitement. A few records at the time had sparked some inspiration, Attention Deficit- “Use Only The Drugs”, and Brass Monkey- “Big Ride”. So I suppose they really influenced the track. I kind of draw inspiration from everywhere though. I listen to so many different styles of music. As for the name….I was chatting to a friend one night, trying to think of a name and “Execute” just popped into my head. I broke it down and it became “Eggs Are Cute”. I kind of think u shouldn’t take music too seriously its supposed to be fun, so calling tracks weird names kind of puts some fun back into it all.

You couldn't have wished for a better start for your musical career. Your first release is being played by the top jocks, Gabriel & Dresden, Sasha.… this must mean a lot for you as an aspiring producer.
You’re right! I’d not been producing properly for even a year yet, and my track was going to be on the essential mix. It’s nice to know that people, who I look up to musically, also appreciate my work too. I’ve got a photo on my PC that my friend took in Miami of Sasha’s acetate of EAC. That was a shock, he gets sent so much music, and it is nice to know he thinks it’s good enough to play out.

What does the future have in store for you? More releases? Maybe some James Talk remixes?
Nothing more signed yet, I’m still waiting back from a few labels. All my stuff is pretty melodic with a techy vibe, and it’s hard to find labels putting out that kind of stuff. I never know who to send showcases too. I’m afraid more and more label’s, are going down the “play it safe” route, with record sales as they are right now. Well that’s what I tell myself; perhaps my stuff is just crap. Look out for a track called “Beef Curtains” and “Chemistry For Beginners”, which various DJs are playing off cdr. Its strange, I get no end of support from DJs, but labels just don’t want to know.

As for remixes….Nothing right now. I’ve always said I don’t want to remix just any old track. I want to work on something which I enjoy and I feel I can give my own interpretation too, and as of yet I’ve not been offered anything.

I have however got a couple of collaborations coming up, some I can talk about others I can’t. I should be doing some stuff with Fretwell, and when time allows Blueroomproject. Chris Lake and I are interested on working together, but he is a bit slack and is having his studio re-built, so it’s on hold till he can free up some time. I’m also going to be working with a singer from America. The idea is to do a more down tempo project; she has a great voice, kind of deep and enchanting.

Who do you look up to in the scene?
Anyone who writes interesting music that makes u think fecking hell, that is wicked, or wow, that melody is beautiful. Charlie May is someone who achieves both these things for me. He is someone I would love to work with one day, or even just watch in the studio. I really like the solo stuff he is doing right now, he is the king of bizarre synth noises. He has so much going on in his tracks, and the sounds are so clever with a lot of depth.

Other producers who I think are great are James Holden, William Orbit, and as much as I’m going to get a slatted for saying this Tiesto!! You can’t help but appreciate the melodies and chords the man writes, and I hear he works his ass off on the DJ Circuit too. Both Ulrich Schnauss albums have been amazing. I also love the works of John Williams (although not in the scene), he has written some amazing scores for films, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones…. He has a gift of writing music to exactly fit what is happening in the film, whether it is, a love scene or a CGI action sequence.

What is your favourite song at the moment?
I really like Charlie May’s mix of Ashland- Clear. I’ve been listening to a lot of great albums lately. Polyphonic Spree for one, its like Beatles meets Christian Folk music, and the Postal Service album has been getting a bit of a bashing in the CD player. For those of u who are not familiar with them, they are a cross between Human League and Róyksopp.

Where do you see yourself in say 5 years?
Producing the 3rd Sasha album with Charlie… (Joke). I would have finished my degree by then, so I hope to be engineering somewhere, in a studio, suffering from sleep deprivation, and getting excited about new bits of Korg kit and Vst Plugins. I think in 5 years time, I’d like to have enough ambient material to put out an album. I can’t see myself making an album of dance floor tracks. It’s strange in 5 years time, ill only be 25. Yet I know people now who are just having their first releases and they are nearly 30. I suppose time is on my side…

Where do you want to go in the future? (Musically)
I’d like to be engineering for musicians and DJ’s. I love to work with others, and especially with people who have no concept of what can be done in the studio they stretch u that little bit harder than what you would yourself. I would also like as I said to be still writing my own tracks in my spare time. I’ve always wanted to write a score for a film, so that’s something perhaps I can see myself moving into, given the opportunity.

Do you think you will become a full time producer / DJ or just do it as a hobby?
In an ideal world I’d love too, I’ll certainly give it my best shot, but in this world nothing is set in stone. Music will always be my true love whether it is my day job or my hobby.

That’s about it. Thanks for your time James, and good luck with all your future productions and plans.
Thanks dude


Be sure to check out James's release 'Eggs Are Cute' when it's releasedon Nu-Republic, and support this talented up & coming producer by buying it :)