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James Bangura Mix

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Former military man and marching band member James Bangura is next up for #51 on our Tapes series. He’s an artist who has roamed the world and picked up musical influences at every stop on the way. Be it D&B in Alabama, blog house in California, or the rich house sound of New York, this Washington DC native is now distilling all those references into his own searing sounds. 

They have come on labels like Mister Saturday Night and can range from sauced out to brutally energetic. And the latter of those two is what defines his unrelenting mix for us. It is a hard-hitting collision of raw, decaying textures, pummeling drums, and stark, post-industrial atmospheres that are thrillingly harsh. The rhythms roam from the fringes of techno to the heart of jungle and on to icy but powerful minimalism that very much consumes your body. So strap in, cause this is one helluva ride.


Hello hello from London to the States! James Bangura joining us for this week’s Tapes. How are things? Why don’t you start by introducing yourself for those that don’t know?

I’ve been good, the year started off well for me so I’m trying to maintain that energy. For those who don’t know me, I’m James Bangura, an electronic musician, and DJ residing in Washington D.C.  


Tell us a bit about this mix. When and where did you record it?

The mix is definitely a softer approach than most of my mixes. I really go off of how I feel and that really determines the outcome of the mix. I actually recorded the mix at Native Sun’s house and it’s always a vibe there cause all of our homies gather there so often.


How are things going for you so far in 2022, although amidst all this crazy turmoil…

To be honest, taking it day by day. I think everyone is trying to find their own way of processing the most recent current events happening globally. You can’t help but feel so close to what’s going on so reaching out to friends and family regardless of where they are helps.


You’re playing at Paloma in Berlin next weekend! Have you been to the venue before?

I’m so excited about it. My great friend Benoit B who runs Banlieue Records in Berlin put me on to the venue in 2018. Hands down it was my best club experience there. It has this homie vibe to it that feels so familiar and comfortable.

Do you find you tailor your sets depending on which country you’re playing in?

I’m not a big fan of tailoring sets to be fair. When you go see someone DJ you’re there to listen to how they process sonics, what their tastes are, and how they put together a collage of sound. So I always want to give people my honest sense of expression when I go play.

How’s the party scene in DC at the moment?

Maaan, the community is thriving and continuously growing. When Covid first happened, it caused a lot of venues and spaces used for gatherings to shut down which left a void in the nightlife for a bit. This didn’t stop anyone though, so many new and fresh ideas came into play. You have DJs like Gabber Bitch and Get Face that do their 140 Plus and FWB parties, Saad Ashraf who is doing the Sous La Terre parties, and of course the DMV Deep crew who are also a mainstay when putting together events.  

How did you land into producing / DJing? What gear do you use to produce your tracks?

It’s kinda unconventional how I got into writing music. I was a dancer for a long time and was constantly at raves and warehouse parties as a kid. Around 2006/2007, I was living in California and was in LA regularly at Blog Haus parties that were happening of Hollywood Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd. I ended up DJing when I met my friend Luis. He bought this really cheap Numark turntable set and this coded vinyl called Torq. I’m not even sure they even exist anymore, it was like an affordable Serato. Anyway, we just started practicing and trying to mimic our favorite DJ Sets. Fast forward a few years and I ended up joining the military. Still, I missed the community so much, that I decided to teach myself how to write music and here we are, aha. For a long time, I wrote music in the box, but over the last few years, I’ve bought pieces of gear and started utilising them in my writing process.

Tell us a bit about BRC - Your label ‘Black Rave Culture’?

So BRC isn’t a label. It’s really three homies that used music as a way to navigate the current times we live in. When I first got into dance music, you didn’t see a lot of black and brown faces. Like honestly, hardly ever. At least where I was living. That can be very isolating. When Covid happened, it just magnified that feeling. Even though I knew Native and Amal prior to us doing BRC, we hadn’t been able to get together to write. When the George Floyd incident occurred, we had to really sit with that and it was heavy. We found solace in being around each other and music. Those two are truly the brothers I didn’t know I needed. 

What would you like to see happening more in the future of clubbing?

I would like to see more diversity and inclusivity of course. I also want to see newer artists. There are so many talented people out there and while it’s always dope to see your favorite artists, it can be tiresome. Well at least for me.

**Quick Fire** Festival you’re most looking forward to this Summer?

Movement, no question.

Your favourite album of the week?

I re-visited Theo Parrish’s “Waddaji” from 2020. It’s so good.

What’s your favourite local radio station?

I’d say Eaton Radio, so many of my friends have shows there plus it’s always a dope spot to just hang.

Thanks so much for joining us!


Interview by: Alicia Steanson

Follow James Bangura —

instagram.com/_james_bangura
soundcloud.com/jamesbangura