Growing up surrounded by the sounds of Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd and Deep Purple (thanks Dad!) James's enthusiasm for music started at an early age.  He started out playing drums at age nine and having spent some years playing through the patio doors to a captive audience of garden gnomes, by the age of seventeen he eventually joined a touring band as a drum and sound tech before going on to play for several bands all over the UK. After university James started working full time for hire companies as a sound engineer, installing and operating some of the largest venue sound systems in the UK.  During this time his sound skills developed even further including programming complex audio systems using Soundweb, Audiocore and Smaartlive and mastering the fine art of winding up the local lampies.   Over the last fifteen years James has spent a lot of time specialising in live sound as a system tech tuning rigs for some of the world’s top DJ’s, Fat Boy Slim, Judge Jools and Paul Oakenfold to name but a few.  He has also worked with many top named artists such as Cerys Matthews, Midge Ure and Jocelyn Brown looking after their production requirements and front of house sound.  From working with welsh artists on the Eisteddfod with 300 strong choirs, 50 piece orchestras and brass bands through to touring with rock bands, James’s experience covers a multitude of music genre’s and cultures.  To read more about the fantastic variety of people that James has worked with over the years, check out his clients page. In addition to his wide range of live sound work James also has a vast range of experience in the studio.  For over ten years now he has worked with numerous up and coming artists mixing and producing tracks for them. James also has a wide range of technical expertise, from working with a number of local hire companies tuning systems in some of the best North West conference rooms (including The Hilton and The Midland Hotels) to working on the construction of award winning sound installations….but he’s not a total geek…honest. Christmas of 2007 saw James managing the live sound for the LSS Group, installing and programming three sound systems as well as operating the main site for JD Parties’ Christmas Extravaganzas.  The three 1500 seat marquees located in Birmingham, Liverpool and the main site at Tatton Park, each host up to 30 Christmas parties each year. With multiple matrix setups and over 15 lines of delay throughout the marquee the audio systems are complex and require scene by scene programming.  James was invited back in 2008 and has been asked to return to set up and manage the sites for 2009. For the last 5 years James has got more involved in the production / tour management side of things looking after the promoter and artist requirements at a variety of events.  In the summer of 2008 James worked as production manager for the Liverpool Culture Company as part of the 2008 Capital of Culture. The Imagine Festival, an outdoor event in the heart of Liverpool’s capital situated beside St. Georges Hall ran over 10 days with outdoor stages, Circus companies from all over Europe, even a 30ft inflatable pig! James coordinated the entire technical requirements of the event from fencing through to staging, generators and crew. By far one of James’s biggest achievements to date was his live sound work with the London International Orchestra.  The 2009 event involved co-ordinating the 50 piece orchestra, over 60 channels in the mixing desk, with only three hours to set up and sound check and replicating the incredible orchestral sound on stage to each of the 6500 people in the surrounding field.  In addition to this the finale piece, the 1812 overture, had to be synchronised with a stunning 10 minute firework display.  It was an impressive technical achievement in the short time they had and the clients were so pleased with the results that they’ve asked him to return in 2010. With several upcoming bookings already in the diary James is constantly adding to and expanding his expertise and experience.  If you are interested in working with James and would like to discuss your requirements, check his availability or just have a good old chin wag don’t hesitate to get in touch!