As the year draws to a close, it's natural to reflect, especially when it's been as interesting as 2013 has. Underground has become mainstream, mainstream has become pop, and while many fight over the meaning of terms like EDM and deep house, others push stoically forward, undeterred by major trends, continuing to do what they do best. So we've called upon a few of those in the later category to tell us what's kept them excited in 2013. This time, James Pants, talks goblets of mead, Paralax, his newborn daughter and the M&M Robot Orchestra.
The son of two Presbyterian ministers from a small American town, James Pants went from being the teenage DJ for a black nationalist rap group to a multi-instrumentalist, with support ranging as far and wide as Flying Lotus, Zane Lowe, Erol Alkan and the always outspoken Tyler The Creator, who calls James “one of the most creative fucking people to walk this earth.” It wouldn't be Tyler's opinion without an expletive, now would it? This might sound like a radical transition, but once you delve into the sounds and ideas of Pants' work, things begin to become somewhat less murky. If there ever was a tender young age for Pants, it was likely before his high school prom, when he met up with Stones Throw Records boss Peanut Butter Wolf, consequently dropping his debut album “Welcome” soon after. The freshman LP managed to rake together the frantically diverse styles James was after, flushing out a style he dubbed “fresh beat,” a mixture of ‘80s boogie, ’80s boogie, synth experiments, garage rock and much more. Since then James has toured the globe, released Seven Seals (a tribute to his beloved ’70s cult and New Age records), a self-titled third album, and uprooted from Colorado to Cologne, where he works as a studio engineer. So, what were Pants' highlights from 2013?
- Favourite DJ/Artist/Person Of The Year
d’Eon. His Blackout LP came out of nowhere and has been a staple in the household alongside goblets of mead.
- Trend Of The Year or Saying Of The Year
“Parallax" - a trend.
- Event Of The Year
Saw the M&M Robot Orchestra in Ghent, Belgium. Event of the year for me hands down.
- Overall Highlight
Number one - Had a baby girl this year. Number two - Did a 7” record with one of my idols Felix Kubin. Can die happy on both counts.