CHERRYBOY

CHERRRYBOy Magazine — Loraine James

Hailing from Enfield, North London, Loraine James is an electronic producer who since releasing her debut album in 2019, has become a hailing grace to the IDM genre and a new defining figure in Hyperdub.

James’ EP Reflection, has gained widespread recognition in and out of the electronic music industry for its raw, experimental approach breaking the boundaries of the genre. The album has been applauded for not only its production but also for James’ ability to use the space as a way to introduce Drill and RnB focused collaborations to the genre and channel personal reflections through songwriting.

James and Phoebe spoke back in 2020..

Phoebe: What is your first memory of experiencing music, and is this referenced in the sound you’re creating today?

Loraine: When I was younger my mum would turn on music from the Caribbean, she also introduced me to Queen and Elton John, but when I had a better understanding of music the stuff I listened from then influences my sound more now.

Phoebe: Who are those bands?

Loraine: Paramore and Linkin Park were the first bands I listened to, there’s also Squarepusher.

Phoebe: What were your main influences outside of music to your work?

Loraine: When I lived in Ponders End (Enfield), I would just be looking outside the balcony and out at the sky, all that cheesy stuff, but that influenced a lot of my work. Hence why especially in my earlier stuff there would be (elements of) light and warm, like the sky and weather. The weather generally influences how I feel.

Phoebe: Could you name one good thing and something you would like to change in the electronic music industry?

Loraine: I mean it’s shit but also good seeing more musicians shine instead of the same two people who have been around for 30 years, it’s nice to see names like Sherelle, Kush Jones and AceMoMa.
A thing I’d change right now is all these plague rave DJs still getting all the bookings. .. I’m not saying they shouldn’t play a gig again, but it’s not fair when there are people struggling to get gigs and then people who played out here, there and everywhere, and during a pandemic they’re still getting the opportunities.

Phoebe: It seems clubs are only interested in ‘big names’.

Loraine: No exactly, it feels very that. I think they have just gone to the go-to DJ to sell £60 tickets with no hesitation, which I get you need to save your club and shit but I think at this point everyone wants to party so they could get anyone - people who are just starting out or never had the opportunity.

Phoebe: Those big-ticket prices alienate so many people.

Loraine: Oh definitely, a fiver goes a long way, seriously.

Phoebe: You released your first album with Hyperdub, For You and I in 2019 and since you have established yourself as a pioneering figure in the electronic industry - did you ever imagine yourself to be in this position so quickly?

Loraine: No, in the build-up to For You and I, I was comparing myself to every artist on Hyperdub, everyone always talks about this Hyperdub sound and I was just really unsure. Once it was out, I didn’t expect anything to really happen. It was wicked, I put out this album with a label I’ve really loved for ages. I never expected Year End Lists and DJ Mag nominations.

Phoebe: You’ve discussed previously how Reflection channels your emotions from the past year, are these themes you’ve always wanted to write about or something that has spurred in the last year or so?

Loraine: Yeah it was something that has spurred me. I didn’t want to do a quote on quote pandemic (album) because there’s like a million of these, but there were these feelings that I have not felt in a long time. I have been really productive last year considering everything, I made a lot of music but Reflection is the thing I’m most proud of. With For You and I, I thought it was alright but Reflection I feel like I have improved.

Phoebe: On the track ‘Self Doubt (Leaving The Club Early)’ in Reflection you address anxieties of playing live, has this been cathartic and helped to deal with it?

Loraine: I am actually nervous to play that one, because those are my vocals. I was surprised that people liked that song, I really thought people were going to be like what the fuck is this voice because I’m not a singer. It was definitely good to get it out on the song, because it was something I was feeling before the pandemic. I know I’ll still feel it after the pandemic. I’ll probably be thinking about how I used to be at the top of my game in terms of performing live and I did this shit set, I probably would still think like that but if something goes wrong it tends to be something I notice more.

Phoebe: DIY culture has flourished hugely over lockdown and I know it’s quite key to your music development. Do you think going forward this will shape the sound and atmosphere on the dance floor in the coming months?
The DIY community is always strong and sticks together no matter what.Loraine: The DIY community is always strong and sticks together no matter what. But right now it’s just survival mode, I really just don’t know what to expect in the next few months. Obviously, summer is the big one for everyone and if there’s another year of that not happening then I really don’t know.

Phoebe: What’s the next step for you aside from playing live?

Loraine: I have started to work with a couple of producers and chat to different musicians. It’s been nice to direct my energy somewhere else that isn’t the next Loraine James project, that will definitely be a while still. It’s been very nice chatting to other musicians, and being able to meet up and do stuff.

@setfiretoloraine
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