Sydney's James Alexandr Stands Up To Testify

Sydney’s James Alexandr Stands Up To Testify

Words: Mike Media

March 10, 2021

Great music always moves the masses, and James Alexandr set out with a mission to deliver a club track with a prominent message. In this surefire hit, the vocals promote positive lyrics including “In Your Body, In Your Bones, In Your Soul, Down to the Sole of your Feet… Raise Your Hands To The Ceiling, And Touch The Sky, And Testify”. Already garnering worldwide support his latest release on leading label Vicious Recordings, we can clearly see this is just the beginning for James and his enduring impact on the scene.

Having played major events on the Australia music scene over the years, including Sydney Mardi Gras, Tropical Fruits, Big Gay Day & Poof Doof, James Alexandr delivers a contemporary house sound with a funky tech feel. His career highlights include supporting Faithless, Boy George, Chicane, Darius Syrossian, Sydney Charles and Josh Butler in Sydney & London Pride’s epic #Prouder after party. With a continued focus on growing the Morning Glory brand James is firmly focussed on his productions.

“Testify (In My Body)”, his debut release with Vicious, actually started out very different to what it is now. As James puts it “when I launched James Alexandr I released a two track EP I loved but after that release I went on a bit of an experimental journey of trying new styles and ways of doing things, which led to Testify” when the Vicious team heard it, they immediately connected with James and sorted a deal.

It clearly shows the A&R and production value on offer as the VIP feedback has been firing in, as has been radio features, playlist placement and press interest. Recently adding a tech house styled mix from Kondo, there’s now a tougher alternative mix for larger floors, which further adds to the original chunky house vibe and strengthening the package.

Electric Mode took the opportunity to learn more about James Alexandr as a brand and the music that plays a part in his life (past, present and future) through a quick-fire round of questions below.

Artist name and location?

James Alexandr, Sydney Australia

Introduce yourself in one simple paragraph

Lover of dance music stemming from my teenage years back in the UK, I travelled the length and breadth of Britain to see and listen to my favourite DJ’s and acts. London was the gateway to my DJ career because of clubs such as Fabric, Trade & Egg. I made the leap across the World to Sydney and have continued to increase my music knowledge, DJ’ing across the country. starting my own events and here I am 15 years later still doing what I love and producing music.

Name 5 labels that have inspired you?

Toolroom, Defected, Mother, Kittball, Sweat It Out

What’s your favourite piece of kit?

My Ableton Push 2

Favourite club or festival and why?

Easy!! DC 10, Ibiza, I will never forget dancing on that beautiful Island for the first time and DC 10 being the highlight. Amazing beats, great crowd, crazy characters and the planes scaring the shit out of you going above your head ❤️

Name an outlandish rider request?

A matching two piece Addidas tracksuit with matching trainers for a gig in London.

Favourite clubbing memory?

Berghain, Berlin. Nothing has ever come close to that experience as a whole. From being terrified in the queue, pure relief at getting in (especially as three of the six were rejected….) then walking in to the pounding techno, green lasers lighting up the vast open spaces, getting lost for 12 hours and leave feeling I’d experienced something special that not everyone has.

What quote represents you best?

Life’s like a box of chocolates…..you never know which James you’re going to get. Don’t leave him on a dashboard in a car, especially in Australia.

What connected you to Vicious Recordings?

First production I ever made was Madison Avenue “Don’t Call Me Baby” being a natural start, Legends Sgt Slick & Mind Electric being Vicious regulars and absolute favourites of mine. But overall as soon as the track was finished I knew it was perfect for Vicious and thankfully they agreed.

Collaborations or flying solo – elaborate on this?

Flying solo, happy exploring my sound and then who knows what the future holds.

One song you couldn’t live without?

The Shapeshifters – Lola’s Theme

Name drop your top tunes, artists or DJs (past or present)

DJ/ARTISTS

Frankie Knuckles, Chris Lake, MK, Sonny Fodera, Daft Punk, Kaskade, Mark Knight, Avicii,
Mouse T, Duke Dumont

TUNES

Downpipe – Mark Knight,D Ramirez & Underworld
Pjanoo – Eric Prydz
One More Time – Daft Punk
World Hold On – Bob Sinclar
The Weekend – Michael Grey
Duke Dumont – I Got U

What was your first release?

Burn EP on London’s Whore House Records

What’s your next release?

It’s coming in the next couple of months and is a piano house, cover version of a favourite track
of mine from the early noughties, watch this space….