As his debut album Running In Order is released, James Hannam talks about his album and working with one of his heroes.
Last updated: 27 November 2008
Why has it taken so long for your debut album to come out?
A fascinating series of disappointments, disasters and delays. I won't list them all, but they range from the mildly comical to the absolutely ludicrous - I've picked up so many hilarious anecdotes for a book one day.
I've certainly learned a lot about the music industry over the past four years. It's such a relief that the album is finally being released and I'm now happier that more people are aware of the music following the success of the EPs and singles.
You've got a rock background as well as a dance background, so how would you characterise British dance music at the moment? Do you think rock's cut it out of the mainstream?
Well British dance music ruled the world for a good five years, but then everyone just vanished. I think the cult of the DJ didn't help - I used to go to clubs like Cream with my Newport pals and then feel slightly ripped off that the DJ we'd just paid £20 to watch playing records was no better than our mate making progressive house mixes in his bedroom.
I think it needed a shake-up, but I'm finally noticing a welcome resurgence albeit in a different form. There are some awesome British breakbeat and electro house producers at the moment, but the most exciting music seems to be emanating from the rest of Europe. It's good news that electronica sales are on the up again.
Do you see artists like yourself stradding the divide between rock and dance?
I think growing up in Newport informed my musical tastes massively - going to TJ's in the 1990s was just brilliant. They would be playing the Prodigy one minute and then Nirvana the next.
Culprit One
Yeah. I think all the best electronic artists have bridged that gap successfully - Underworld, Leftfield, Chemical Brothers etc. I was in indie bands for years and still go to a lot of rock gigs. Just this morning, I've been listening to Enter Shikari, Killswitch Engage and Rage Against the Machine.
I love the heavier side of guitar music, as the musicianship is awesome. I think growing up in Newport informed my musical tastes massively - going to TJ's in the 1990s was just brilliant. They would be playing the Prodigy one minute and then Nirvana the next. It was always packed and I went every week when I was studying for my A-levels.
How did you hook up with Orbital's Paul Hartnoll? And how was the experience?
I was approached by his record label.They'd heard me on the radio, visited the MySpace page and noticed that I had Orbital as one of my main influences. It was amazing to be asked, but the fact that Robert Smith from the Cure was guest vocalist proved to be the icing on the cake.
When I finished the mix, the label suggested that Paul remix my new singleTricks. He sent it back a week later and I was literally jumping around the room with joy. I couldn't believe that someone I had idolised and listened to for so many years had remixed one of my tracks. It's been a big break for me and a great experience.
What else is planned in the near future for you?
More shows with the string quartet. The initial performance at Big Chill House in London was supposed to be a one-off, but it was so well-received that promoters kept booking us to do it again. We played in London again last night, at Cargo. It was an excellent night and some fans had traveled from as far away as Bournemouth and Birmingham to watch us perform.
When the next few shows and promotion period have died down, I'm going to start work on the second album. Hopefully releasing that will be easier than the first!
Words: James McLaren
