It is only appropriate that the label and brand that has put out James Zabiela’s latest and greatest mix is called “Renaissance”. After all, the Renaissance - which translates to rebirth - was a time of new ideas, new ways of doing things. It was a time of experimentation, of new technology, of rich culture, of art and of science.

In a smaller and more subtle way, electronic music in general is going through a similar phase. Sasha’s advancements in not only what the DJ is able to do in the studio with a mix CD, but also (and probably more importantly) what a DJ is able to do live, and the others who are going back to doing things as a band in innovative ways - Louie Vega and his Elements of Life band, Freeland, and Monkey Bars - are prime examples of this movement.

There are those however, that are taking what made the DJ a force to be reckoned with - the 1’s and 2’s (and occasionally 3’s and 4’s) - and are pushing that art and science to the next level. In that school, there are few that are recognized without dispute as pioneers (no pun intended). James Zabiela is one of them.

He has been working feverishly with Pioneer in the last few weeks, and his latest move in performance is that he is now officially the first DJ to use the DVJs in a live club environment in Asia at Womb, Tokyo.

Out trotting the globe promoting his latest mix “ALiVE” (out now on Renaissance Recordings and System Recordings), James took the time for this email interview, giving CoolJunkie the low down on his recent past, the present, and the future.

- Well, it's been an exciting time since your last release on Hooj Choons in 2003. How do you feel you've grown as an artist between then and now?

Well, I think I learn more and more each time I play out or do a mix but over the last year I really feel I have more of grasp of where I want to be with my DJing.

One of the things that really helped me was playing at places like Space were if the crowd aren't into you they'll let you know! Luckily I got away without having tomatoes thrown at me and by the end of my residency there last year I'd learnt to understand them and how to give them what they wanted whilst playing the music I love.

It's not always easy to stick to your guns and keep your integrity. It could be so easy if I'd just played the latest 'cool' genre, but what's the point in that if I'm not feeling it myself. If you're going to spin with soul and passion then you need to love the music you play.

So to answer your question over the last year I've learnt more about reading crowds than I have in the last 4 years. Technically I'm always trying to improve too and the more I mess around at home with FX units and CDJs, the more I learn. I had to give up my X-Box this year as it prevented me from practicing! Damn, 'Rainbow 6 Three' is an addictive game....

- When did you know that you wanted to perform professionally as a DJ?

When I was having trouble getting a girlfriend.... no just kidding! I've always loved music and to be involved in something you love as much as I am is a dream come true of course... I think I always knew but it wasn't until I was 15 when my passion for House music came about.

- And since it's been such a rapid progression, what has been your favorite part along the way?

I have many fond memories already! Too many to go into. Every weekend I think that was the greatest gig ever (lol) but my taste of Space Ibiza was pretty amazing and so was my opener for Sasha at Cream in Liverpool in it's better days. Amazing.

- Has your taste in the music you use morphed due to your embracing of the latest technology? Or has your taste in music modified your technical side? Chicken or the egg?

Erm, well I like what I like but I guess I listen out for tracks I can mess about with too and turn into something different.

- You're widely recognized as, among other things, a technical DJ. Have there been any technical additions to your bag of tricks? How do you think that side of what you do has developed?

I'm working constantly with Pioneer and have been lucky enough to test out some new equipment that won't see the light of day for a while yet. I'm not really meant to say too much about the new stuff (lol) It's kind of a men in black thing... my memory will be erased if I tell people about the new....(clunk). The EFX1000 is out in Jan!

- What do you think of the new DVJs?

Wicked! I've been messing with those a fair bit :) I got my copy of Bladerunner and I'm cutting it up and warping it about... It's a lot of fun I can tell you. I also employed my artist girlfriend Grete Hjorth-Johansen to make visuals for some of my tracks and I'm doing a couple of shows a month with the machines. Got some funny tricks and things to freak people out :) I'll be making people wear 3D glasses in the clubs before the year is out (lol).

- What do you feel is the next frontier in live music performance (as DJ or otherwise) in electronic music?

I don't know to be honest but DJs are now more about laptops and effects than just mixing 2 records together.

- How do you think Sasha's latest move in music performance and mixing is going to take hold? Do you think that it will be more accessible in the coming years?

I think it's great that he's trying something new. It'll keep it fresh for him and it'll make it enjoyable for him to play which will reflect upon the audience that goes to see him. It'll be accessible for sure, I think he's going to market his MIDI controller he's made with any luck so every DJ can go out and buy one just like they would a mixer.

- Some of the biggest DJs in the biz get asked what advice they would give to young, aspiring DJs, and it seems that they often find that they don't know what to say because the scene when they started (in the 80s for instance) was so vastly different from what it is today. It is probably more appropriate to ask someone like yourself who has made your biggest career achievements in recent years. That said, what advice would you give?

1. Do something different and try to be original.

2. Use technology - not just for the music but go and get your mixes aired on internet radio stations and get feedback from message board critiques, they can be harsh but you can learn a lot from the people that will pay to see you.

3. Give out your CD's to everyone. Including cab drivers... you never know who they're gonna pick up next!

4. Go to the clubs and meet the DJs and promoters. Put a face to the CDs you've been sending them over the last three years! They might finally listen to it!

5. Make music on your computer. Get Reason 2.5 or equivalent programme and make some beats. It's not what I'd generally recommend doing, but if you're trying to make it as a DJ, there are a lot of DJ's that got where they are due to having a 'big' track. It's almost like an easy way in certain cases.

- What do you foresee in the next six months for yourself?

More of the last 6 months! Lots of DJing and zero sleep. I'm more than happy with that.

- Thanks a lot for taking the time to talk to CoolJunkie, James. Best of luck!