Introducing: James Fenner, co-founder of 707

James Fenner is an up and coming DJ in second year at Newcastle University. He played a huge back to back set with The Tab’s Tom Pounsford (T-Reason) last week, with more sets to come in the future as a Faction resident and at Cosmic Ballroom’s mid-week mash up Ill Behaviour.

His new night 707 launches at WHQ on November the 9th with South London Ordnance and Paleman. Fenner gives the Tab an exclusive interview and lets us in on what to expect at 707.

Interview:

Describe your sound and your influences?

I never really know what to say to this question but I’d say the kind of stuff you can expect to hear me play out would be this new kind of percussive UK-sounding techno that I suppose more generally is just another branch of ‘bass music’. In terms of my influences I’d say my main ones would be South London Ordnance, Paleman, Tessela and then perhaps more familiar names like Joy Orbison and Boddika.

What motivated you to start your own night?

Both myself and Josh (Morgan) were really keen on starting our own night as we felt there is a gap in the market for a night that focuses primarily on this new techno/bass sound. Whilst there are a lot of good nights emerging in Newcastle, there are very few that would consider booking the same kind of names we have got.

How come you chose the bookings that you did and what can we expect at 707?

South London Ordnance, Paleman and Joonipah fit in perfectly with the sound we are trying to push at 707, when we have heard them play back down in London they have blown our minds so we felt like bringing them up to Newcastle would provide a new, refreshing dimension to the current ‘scene’.

Check out the event here and the 707 page here
Fenner’s Top 10 Tunes of October 2012

RELEASED:

1. South London Ordnance – Witch Hunt/Chase Scene (TEAL recs.) – SLO returns with yet another release, this time on dutch imprint TEAL. Expect a combination of characteristically weighty low-end and tough percussion on what is arguably his best release to date.

2. Disclosure – Latch (feat. Sam Smith) (PMR) – These boys can do no wrong at the minute. Yet another track that is an instant hit. They have also managed to reach out to a more commercial crowd with this one, Latch coming in at no. 26 in this weeks’ top 40.

3. TNGHT – Higher Ground (Warp x LuckyMe) – Hudson Mohawke and Lunice combine to form a dancefloor classic, expect to hear this at almost every night you go to in the foreseeable future.

4. Cloud 9 – Do You Want Me Baby (Dusky Remix) (Toolroom recs.) – If you aren’t familiar with this production duo you really should be. They have put their own spin on the original and have smashed yet another remix.

5. AlunaGeorge – Your Drums, Your Love (Island recs.) – AlunaGeorge follow up their smash hit ‘You Know You Like It’ with another catchy low-tempo track. Aluna’s vocals being the highlight.

COMING SOON:

1. Paleman & Zed Bias – Furrball (forthcoming Swamp 81) – This has been dubbed the track of the year by many so-called experts and it’s great to see it will be getting a release on a one of the best labels about, Swamp 81.

2. Breach and Midland – 101 (forthcoming NakedNaked) – Another collaboration that has got heads turning everywhere. Due out on Breach’s label NakedNaked on 22nd October. Watch out for the breakdown on this one, it’s genius.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMxwIQVNl34

3. Happa – Beat Of The Drum/Bring It Back (forthcoming Church) – It’s remarkable to think that a 15 year-old boy can make music this good but Happa has produced a gem of an EP due out on new label Church on 5th November.

4. Dusky – Calling Me (forthcoming School) – Another mention for Dusky, this time they produced something that could be labelled as techno as opposed to house, yet this is arguably the best of all of their tracks. Calling Me will be one of the first releases on Loefah’s new label School.

5.

– The next release on Martyn’s label 3024 will be by Trevino, the house/techno alias of Drum and Bass producer Marcus Intalex. Trevino already has an array of strong releases on established label’s, get your hands on this next EP from 12th November.

List compiled by James Fenner. If you like his sounds, make sure you catch his set at new night 707 in World Headquarters on November 9th with South London Ordnance and Paleman.