James Lavelle - Interview

“The effects of my childhood play a big role in my adulthood.”

James Lavelle on his life journey, mental health, and his deep connection to Japan

Interview: Félicie Zufferey

In the electronic music scene, James Lavelle stands as a testament to early beginnings and sustained passion. The mastermind behind Mo’ Wax and the founder of UNKLE launched his career at an exceptionally young age and had to grow up faster than most. This gave him a unique insight, as he witnessed firsthand the transformations within the industry.

James Lavelle's depth of experience is palpable throughout our conversation. He revisits his formative years, reflecting on the effects of childhood experiences on adult life, and paints a vivid picture of the evolving music scene. Beyond mere nostalgia, James Lavelle addresses pertinent topics of the present-day industry, emphasizing the importance of mental health and inclusivity in his profession.

With Japan having played a pivotal role in his musical journey, he delves into his unique connection with Tokyo and his long-lasting love for Japan. As he speaks, we find ourselves captivated by his story, shared with refreshing humility.

We've been big fans of your music and your label for a long time. Thinking back to the start, you were pretty groundbreaking, making music at such a young age. Can you tell us about those early days and what drew you to DJing?

James Lavelle:

I started at 14, being into hip hop and watching shows like Top of the Pops. That's when I started seeing DJs making their way into pop music. But then, things shifted with the whole rise of house and dance music across the UK. Back when I was a kid, there were these standout artists like Bomb the Bass and Express that everyone was talking about. You'd see them on music TV shows and magazines.

Speaking of magazines, there was Mixmag, but it was way smaller back then. There was a handful of dance music magazines, and then there were ones like ID and The Face Magazine. When I was younger, you didn't have as many ways to see these things, so you'd come across it in these smaller issues or special features. For me, hip-hop and electronic music - that was the future. I wasn't really into older music when I was a kid.

And considering how young you were, you probably could not go to shows. How did you find your way into the scene and start connecting with others?

James Lavelle:

I was doing martial arts and I frequently went to London for training. In London and in Oxford, where I grew up, I would buy records. In the beginning, I mostly bought cassettes. But as I got deeper into DJing and I was collecting a lot of music, it transformed into something more. You know, there'd be a school party and the idea would come up - maybe I should DJ.

As time went on, my passion for records just kept growing. In Oxford, I met other kids, a bit older than me, who were more into the scene. They had this sound system – because back then, it was very much about sound system culture - and I just really went crazy for buying records starting around 14 years old.

Then, around 14 or 15 years old, I began working in a dance music record store in London. It was a big deal, that store. I was there on the weekends, and everyone would come through: Simon Dunmore from Defected Records, Paul Oakenfold, Bomb the Bass, even Gilles Peterson! It was there that I really got exposed to that culture.

From there, I started DJing in Oxford and doing my own club nights. Eventually, it led me to move to London and build upon that.

I think it’s safe to say that everyone faces their own set of struggles along the way. Lets rewind a bit back through your career, if you had to name one big challenge, what would it be?

James Lavelle:

My age was a big challenge. Of course, being so young was positive in many ways! It was exciting for people to see someone my age doing things. I was the youngest of my generation to own a record label and to be signed to a major one. In my circle, I was always the youngest. Even my close friends were older than me, and managing that dynamic was tough.

Managing expectations and responsibilities was hard, especially with older people around. There were those who would take advantage of my youth, there was a lot of jealousy and not always being looked after the right way. I believe that the effects of my childhood played a big role in my adulthood. And my childhood was quite strange in many ways. I did not really have a typical childhood, but rather went from being very young and soon into the public eye. While it was thrilling, looking back, it's always been a challenge and it had a profound effect on me. There were things I didn’t understand and I wasn't always given the right tools to handle certain situations.

With me being so young, there often weren't clear boundaries around me.

Doing so much at such a young age has perhaps been the most defining aspect of my journey. Music, especially when you're part of a band, can be like that — you achieve so much, so quickly. It shapes your identity for a long time, which is challenging when you're trying to evolve and move forward. When you look at bands like The Beatles or The Strokes, they made iconic records at a young age, and that's how they're remembered. It shapes your legacy and how you move on from that. It was challenging for me, because I always wanted to move forward. But at the time, everything was very much in a box, and there were hurdles that came along with that, especially since I loved so many different things. Confronting and breaking down those barriers was a real challenge.

Overall, I think that my age was both a plus and a minus in my career. It made me stand out significantly at the time. But as you get older, you realize that what you did back then defines so much of your adult life. I had quite a bit of success, but I also faced a lot of failures. This inevitably has had its emotional toll.

How do you think starting so young defined your adult life and is that reflected in the way you make music?

James Lavelle:

Yes, your childhood certainly impacts your adulthood. When you're creating music, for me it's always been about drawing on one's experience and moving forward. There is always that journey you've been on; it’s about navigating it, seeking a deeper understanding and learning from what you've lived through.

Touching on mental health and such matters, in today's music world, there's now a deeper comprehension of the challenges within the creative realm and the type of individuals that exist in it. The dilemma within this world is that you've got art on one hand and commerce on the other; they often don't mix very well. Many artistic people, while incredibly gifted, aren't always the simplest to understand or navigate. There's a reason why many become artists and are brilliant in this world, yet perhaps struggling in other aspects. This isn't new; it's always been there, and it boils down to how it's managed and looked after.

Today, people seem more mindful, with more recognizing the challenges of our industry, especially when it comes to mental health. The current landscape appears to be more inclusive and open-minded.

Actually, what drew me into DJ club culture was this eclectic mix of people from different backgrounds, cultures and sexual orientations. That was truly exciting for me. Nowadays, it's great to see how this is exploding on a bigger level. Particularly in the last few years, seeing where things have gone in terms of mental health and sexuality within the industry. Conversations are now more open than they ever were in the past.

Would you say that the industry has evolved for the better? Or are there still significant challenges, despite the more open dialogue?

James Lavelle :

Actually, there are pluses and minuses to this. While conversations are more open now, the environment feels much more intense. I have a 26-year-old daughter, and I've witnessed the effects on her. She's sort of that first generation feeling the impact of Facebook, even more than Instagram. It's that initial wave of youth communication online. It has set the stage for what we see today. In some ways, it's incredible because the world feels smaller and more connected. Yet, with everything at our fingertips, it becomes challenging to find one's place in it all. Now when I see my friends' children or even my own nephews and nieces, they're on an iPad at just four years old and they can use it better than me. It's honestly a bit crazy. I feel like we are seeing the effects starting from my generation and moving forward.

Our generation had this unique kind of freedom, not like the post-war generation of my parents. It was definitely more hedonistic. And nowadays, we are starting to feel the repercussions of so many things. What will ecstasy do to people in the long run? How about computers? And mobile phones? It feels like we are in the middle of this experiment, seeing it all play out. We're truly the first wave experiencing these changes. The whole landscape nowadays? It's intense and honestly a bit mad.

Things have sped up so quickly. Yes, it's something to behold.

When it comes to touring and performing, it must be very demanding both physically and mentally. How do you sustain your energy and stay grounded? Are there any particular routines you swear by?

James Lavelle:

I do my best, but it's not always easy. There are habits I've developed, things I stick to. I don’t party the same way I used to (laughs), and generally, I've become healthier. I'm mindful of my diet, my exercise, and overall well-being. But this recent trip to Japan, with the heat and the jet lag, has thrown me a bit off track, it's a bit of a challenge. On one hand, I'm privileged – I mean, I'm in Japan, experiencing remarkable places, meeting amazing people, and eating incredible food, and doing so many things I love so much. But it gets harder as you get older. Travel doesn't feel the same: the effects are just different now that I'm older. But it really depends on where I am going.

Jet lag, in particular, is the worst. It's become tougher, but that's likely because back in the day, I'd just party non-stop, and jet lag never stood a chance! (laughs)

How about when you’re back home in London ?

James Lavelle:

I swim every day, it's part of my routine. And then there's my dog – not a tiny one, not too big either - but he requires a solid couple of hours of walking each day.

I chose to move to a quieter, more green area of London and walking's become a huge part of my lifestyle now. Back in the day, I'd often jump into cabs, but now, I'm more into walking wherever I can. London is fantastic for walking and you get to see the city. Occasionally, I'll do some yoga as well. But in London, my routine revolves around swimming, walking my dog, and riding my bike.

So, James before we wrap up, we'd love to hear about your latest trip to Japan. Given you have visited many times over the years, have you observed any changes or something different on this trip?

James Lavelle:

This time around, Tokyo feels so revamped. You know, the last time I visited was in 2018, and that was the longest gap since I first came here at 18. I've made my way to Japan almost every year or two since, and there were times I'd be here 6-7 times annually. My initial impressions of Tokyo? It was straight out of Blade Runner, truly a futuristic sight. But when I was here in 2018, Tokyo, for the first time, looked a tad worn. It felt older, a shift I hadn't perceived before. Fast forward five years and suddenly there's a transformation! New buildings in Shibuya and beyond – it's like the city's undergoing a makeover. This sudden change caught me off-guard. In fact, some familiar bearings are gone, and there were moments I found myself thinking, "Where am I?" (laughs).

It's intriguing, because nowadays, so many places seem to be embracing this ultra-modern aesthetic. Tokyo seemed a bit older last time, but now it's catching up. And it's not just Tokyo – London is undergoing massive changes as well.

If you had to choose, do you have a favourite place in Japan? Is there somewhere that holds a special meaning for you?”

James Lavelle:

When I think about my time here, Tokyo definitely dominates my memories - it’s where I spend the most time. Japan is a very beautiful country, and I've visited unforgettable places like Tashima and Takamatsu.

I even slept in a temple in Kyoto! (laughs)

However, if I had to choose, I think my strongest connection remains with Tokyo. The area that holds the most history for me would probably be Harajuku, because I was one of the first to be there when it all started happening. It was very different from how it is now, and I witnessed all of those changes. There are moments, memories attached to clubs like Yellow and playing at venues like Womb.

Those days of record shopping in Shibuya during the 90s? That was amazing.

It's interesting because while performing on Sunday in Zushi, I realized that when I was younger, I wasn't so interested in hanging out on the beach. I wanted to be in the city, in nightclubs and record shops. It was all about being in cities like New York, Tokyo, Paris, London, and Berlin. However, when driving out to Zushi, I found it nice and refreshing. I'd love to explore more of Japan's beauty. A place I've always wanted to go to is Okinawa. I haven't had the opportunity to do that yet and I can feel it's quite different. The truth is, although I've seen a lot of Japan, I haven't spent much time immersed in it. I've travelled a lot on trains and visited many places. However, over the years, the pattern tends to be the same: arriving in the afternoon, performing as a DJ, and leaving the next afternoon. This is the challenge with being a DJ; you get to experience various aspects of life and travel, but your time in each place is limited. There was a time when I used to spend more time in Tokyo because I had a record label there as well. But usually, unless there's a specific reason to stay, my touring routine involves a lot of travel.

It was fantastic to perform some shows here. Having a more relaxed time would be great; next time, I would like to just explore Japan more!