We relive Sydney selector, Nat James’ rip-roaring set from Echo Flats 2019.
Having supported the likes of HTRK, Lena Willikens, DJ Marfox and Nazira, James is a resident of Sydney’s NECTAR crew, has a monthly slot on Bristol’s Noods Radio and runs Headroom, which has hosted ZULI and Giant Swan so far, with much more planned before COVID-19 happened. We’re excited to present you with two hours of fire - experimental, left-field, bass-heavy breaks, techno and more, plus a little catch-up with Nat below.
How was the overall vibe whilst playing this set at Echo Flats? Any tracks or artists you want to shout-out in particular?
Echo Flats is a small, intimate festival a few hours out of Sydney and their curation is always really considered. It errs on the heavier side of things but is balanced out by the warmest crowds so was a lovely vibe as per usual. They put a lot of trust in the people they book to just do what they want - well - and bridging that gap between peak time and sunrise (for some, bedtime for others) is always a lot of fun. I’m super grateful for the space they’ve given me so shout out to Echo Flats because there’s not one track I like more than another in this recording but it wouldn’t exist at all without them.
What’s a record or album that everyone needs to listen to at least once in their life?
Honestly? Joni Mitchell - Blue.
Can you tell us a little bit about NECTAR and how it’s been as part of the crew? Do you feel like your sound has developed or changed since playing and working with them?
NECTAR are a Sydney-based booking, touring and events agency who have made a lot of positive changes in the electronic music landscape in this city. An unfortunate cliche, but not that long ago 95% of things in Sydney were run by men, soundtracked by men and made safe for men only. NECTAR just took what everyone had been yelling about and gave it an official platform. They put their foot down in the most professional and organised way, and if my sound has developed it’s only because I’m bolstered by them and their support. There’s still a long way to go in addressing inclusivity and representation but it’s a huge step in the right direction.
“An unfortunate cliche, but not that long ago 95% of things in Sydney were run by men, soundtracked by men and made safe for men only. NECTAR just took what everyone had been yelling about and gave it an official platform.”
How was it curating your monthly show on Noods Radio, The Go Down?
Firstly, out to Owain for always so politely dealing with my ‘sorry-this-show-is-late’ emails. When I stumbled across Noods a few years ago, every show was so up my alley so I spent months immersed in everything they’d ever broadcasted. I pitched an entirely so-called ‘Australian’ show, which has been done a million times but it gave me boundaries to work within while still being completely at the mercy of my own tastes. There are so many artists and labels here that are world class (see: Steeplejack, A Colourful Storm, Moontown, Clan Analogue, Resistance/Restraint) and maybe we have to be louder because we’re all the way down here or maybe it doesn’t actually matter if anyone listens at all. On a similar note, my Noods show runs in the middle of the night on a Tuesday...
What is the first thing you’re looking forward to doing when the COVID-19 era has lifted?
When lockdowns are lifted, the highlights will include; healthcare workers getting a slight reprieve, asylum seekers being allowed out of their hotel lockdowns and hopefully into permanent accommodation, those experiencing domestic violence to have the chance to be out of their houses, welfare payments remaining as they are, everyone realising that lockdown is what life is like for some with chronic illness and further interrogation into the production and consumption of animals (on farms not just in markets).
Looking forward to us coming out the other end of this a little bit better - in the most general sense possible. For me, I’ve been lucky. Lockdown suits me. I’m an introvert.