Having just turned 21, Welsh born James Ellaway, AKA Lung, has risen in a phoenix-like manner to firmly make his mark on the drum and bass scene in 2013. Following up from his first debut EP 'Why Does Anybody Really Do Anything?', a typically emotive, clinical and fresh offering from Med School, he's just the followed this up with full-length LP 'Wait Less Suspense' which came out on Monday through the Hospital-affiliated imprint. Shorrn X sat him down for a quick grilling about High Contrast, Soundcloud and playing Hospitality Brixton on the 27th September.
Debuting your whole album 'Wait Less Suspense' on Soundcloud is a bold move (although we're really liking the sound of it and your radio voice). I'm always really embarrassed listening back to my voice when recorded, even more so when it's a video recording! Always worried I may come across a bit 'Alan Partridge'. But, yeah, it was exactly that! We wanted to get the album heard by as many people as possible - one way to get people listening was to put the album up in it's entirety for streaming. So far the response has been overwhelmingly positive - I couldn't be happier!
Is there a particular theme or concept behind the album? Generally a debut is a pretty personal thing, and of course an epic milestone in the life of any artist. Not a concept as such. It was just really important to me to try and reflect what it is I'm about as accurately and naturally as possible in terms of my music. As it's my debut album, I really wanted to make a mark, for myself mostly - I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it - it's been one of the most challenging but enjoyable things I've ever had the opportunity to do!
You've built up quite a name for yourself in a relatively short amount of time and have received props from all over the industry. Do you feel like you're 'there' yet? No, never! And anyone who thinks that "they've made it" is kidding themselves! We can always learn more and do better, at least that's my opinion! Also people may define "there" in different ways. I'm certainly not interested in being famous or anything like that, frankly I enjoy my own company in a hermit-like state far more than the attention of others. I'm most comfortable on my own writing music. It's almost therapeutic! I'd much rather define "there" in artistic fulfillment, but anyone who's somewhat involved in any form of art knows that such a thing doesn't exist, we'll always want to do something better, and nothing is ever finished!
Are there any past names you feel were an inspiration to you? I want to mention High Contrast but I'm guessing you're probably pretty sick of everybody bringing up that guy just because you live in a somewhat similar area... No, not at all! Linc's a great guy and a lot of his early Hospital releases got me interested in d&b. A personal favourite of mine is 'Return of Forever', I'll never tire of hearing that tune! Alongside Linc, some other names within d&b that really inspired me, especially early on, are Noisia, Bungle, Marky, Random Movement, etc. One of the things I loved about d&b was the difference in sounds across the board, it was refreshing to hear so many different takes on the same core "formula", if you will! I liked it all, the dark and heavy and the melodic and minimal!
I guess you two must be buds now, or did you know each other before? Sorry, won't mention him again. Promise... I met Linc through our mutual friend (Dave Shaw) DroneBoy. They'd been close friends for years and through gaining a residency at Aperture in Cardiff (at the time, DroneBoy's night) we were introduced. He's been really helpful over the years and it was great being able to work with him on a track for his last album. I don't see anywhere near enough of those two as I'd like to!
Networking is always a big part of getting into any scene, did you happen to know a lot of decent people or was it a case of relentless e-mailing people with demos and such? Touching on my previous answer, it took me a long time to start getting my music out there. It was through networking at my local night that I met all of the aforementioned and I realised just how important networking is. I've known plenty of great producers and musicians with so much talent, but unfortunately don't like to put themselves out there. Luck plays a huge role as well, you can't forget that. I've been very lucky. But, at the same time, you have to be prepared to get put down or told 'No', you grow a thicker skin, but all in all it can only benefit you and I'd advise any budding producers out there to choose their best tracks and send them to specific people they really want to work with, otherwise, not only are you wasting the time of others for the sake of it, but you're also wasting your own time.
Any big reveals for the forthcoming year? Not really, at least certainly nothing at a stage to talk about. We do have some plans blooming, though! Best way to keep up to date with all my goings-on is at my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/lungdnb and all will be revealed over time!
Thanks for your time - before you go, where can we catch you live and in effect next? No problem at all, thanks for the questions! I'll be playing at Hospitality at the O2 Academy in Brixton on the 27th September, Hospitality Bristol and Birmingham on the 4th and 5th October, Falmouth on the 10th, Med School's brand new stand-alone night in Brixton on the 11th and Brighton on the 12th!