The realm of electronic music tends to consist of much more than just audio when compared to other genres. Electronic artists and producers are increasingly including more and more visual substances to their work, tying together the very compatible worlds of electronically produced music and design. If anyone has come close to mastering this art, Nick James has.
It seems the deeper you dig on this enigmatic young electronic performer, currently residing in New York City, the less you know about him. 22-year-old James graduated from UNC-Asheville and moved to NYC after spending some time in Japan. He writes for Tiny Mix Tapes under the name SCVSCV and runs the experimental publication Asystems – a product of The Actual School. He describes his experimental music as creating an atmosphere for its audience, combining multimedia design with his haunting yet melodic tracks.
For each album released on Asystems – which he runs with two of his former roommates from UNCA – James creates a website perfectly matching the two aesthetics together, drawing the listener in closer and forcing them to absorb the piece more critically.
With his recent release of Drago on the 16th, Nick James put out satyri.co. This conceptual site sucks its visitors into an icy realm where they can explore the five tracks off Drago in addition to other exclusive visual and audio features. The actual tracks off Drago are upbeat and playful but have a complex structure to them, melodies orchestrated so meticulously only to be shattered perfectly with a violent mechanic. Captivating vocals, often not in English, add to the confusion and comfort of the arrangement. A few sentences give the website and tracks little justice, and the full experience can only be taken in by entering the site with a pair of headphones.
Nick James plays the first night of Hopscotch this year at Neptunes, opening for DJ Earl and Mumdance. With HD visuals at his live performances, his quiet presence is sure to fill the room.