09/08/2023
        KAZ JAMES & DIPLO

        24
        May

        KAZ JAMES

        An Australian of both Italian and Greek descent, the unique triple heritage of Kaz James is unlike many you’ll find in the dance music scene. But much like his origin, Kaz is no ordinary DJ and producer. Growing up in Melbourne, Kaz took early inspiration from his stepfather’s diverse record collection, with emphasis on jazz, rare groove, and house. Upon reading an article on Carl Cox in his teenage years, Kaz’s own career path was decided. “Carl – and his ability to mix three records at once… it blew my mind!”, Kaz laughs. “There were only a handful of guys DJing professionally when I started, but he was a big influence for sure, I wanted to be in the same league as him. So I knew I had to learn how to play the same if I was going to have a chance. Also there’s people like Pete Tong too, of course, who has given me so much great advice and support in my career. Not to mention I was a massive Sasha, and John Digweed fan.”

        DIPLO

        Diplo’s musical creds speak for themselves, remixing: Gwen Stefani, Le Tigre, DJ Shadow (amongst others) and producing for Kano and the very fine M.I.A. to name only shows this guy has a talent or two. Renaissance Man meets Bart Simpson down South. Wes Pentz aka Diplo was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. Most of his childhood was spent in Florida, where his father still owns and runs a bait shop. His youth was spent discussing ‘gators with his uncle, working in a pop’s store and dreaming of dinosaurs living hidden out in the swamp. As he grew up he began to channel these obsessions into music (Miami Bass being a touchstone, of course) and film. After a brief stint at film school and a season out on the shrimp boats, the need to escape from America for a while led to some time in Japan, from where he sent the beat doodles he had been working on to Big Dada in the UK and was promptly signed. He returned to the US and moved to Philly where he and another DJ, Low Budget, began their now-legendary Hollertronix sessions. The Hollertronix mix cd, “Never Scared” followed and later in the year the lost classic “Epistemology Suite” EP became his first release for Big Dada.“Florida” followed soon after, the debut album which he described as “based loosely on Wiliam Faulkner’s ‘Go Down Moses’ with a definite red clay shrimp and manatee dirty south feel.” Featuring vocals from Martina Topley-Bird, Vybz Cartel, PEACE, Pantera Os Danadinhos and Sandra Melody it showed the breadth of Diplo’s imagination and the depth of his influences. It was welcomed ecstatically by those who found it but is still to reach the audience it deserved.