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  James Pants Interview
interview 0569 added 12.06.08 words:
Kane
technical:
Spoon
James Pants makes the sort of genre-bending music that will make backpackers and electronic nerds wet their pants with excitement. This month sees the release of his debut album, ‘Welcome’, a loose sounding record, with hints of early rap, 80s funk and electronic influences surrounded by more progressive and playful themes. Alien wave, fresh beat and forum favourite, ‘quirky retro shit’, are just a few of the new fangled genre labels that have so far failed to stick.
 James met his boss (Peanut Butter Wolf) after his prom night some 10 years ago. James didn’t even get to “snog” his date that night but he did land an internship with Stones Throw, and eventually, a record deal.
So James, what’s with the name?
Oh yeah, I only just found out what it (Pants) means over here. It comes from a nickname my girlfriend, who’s now my wife, use to call me – fancy pants. A lot of people think my name’s James Chance, whose music I like, but it’s not. It’s (James’s name) also quite vague, which I like. While If I had a name like Blaze Beatz everyone would know exactly the sort of music I make.
You’re from Spokane, what’s it like there? Does it have much of a musical heritage?
I have a love-hate relationship with Spokane, I only live there now because it’s very cheap. It’s very close to Idaho, it’s on a mountain range, kind of a red-neck area. It doesn’t have much of a musical heritage - actually that’s not strictly true, Bing Crosby is from there and there was also one dude from Everclear - not much to shout about though.
So how would you describe your sound?
It’s very loose; I have a hard time with that question. I like everything, so many different styles. I try to live vicariously through the records I like, and the instruments I play, but unfortunately I’m not a great musician so you get this pre-schoolish, kind of fun vibe partly because I use really cheap equipment.
Is that intentional?
Initially it was out of necessity, but now I quite like the sound. I try and keep it fun and a little dirty. I usually turn on a fog machine and a red light when I’m working.
That’s quite an image. So who are your musical influences?
 A few in particular, Madlib and J Dilla from Hip hop, I use to try and produce Hip hop but I couldn’t. Other artists I like are Bruce Haack, Cameo, Gary Davis and Gary Wilson. Weirdoes I suppose. I like Broadcast a lot in contemporary terms.
Is it fair to say you associate with musical outcasts?
I guess so, my favourite style of any sort of music is when someone technically isn’t very good at singing or playing but they really go for it. That’s where me and (Peanut Butter) Wolf meet up musically – where it’s so bad it’s good - you can hear that someone is really trying! Attitude’s there but the execution is off.
Your debut album, ‘Welcome’ came out at the end of May, can you tell me a bit about that, and what we can expect, any collaborations?
I’ve got Gary Davis, Dion Davis who know ones heard of yet but he was in my high school rap group and he sings in ‘Ka$h’.
I sing, and I rap a little through a decoder. Basically I made loads of songs over several years I gave Wolf a heap of them and he streamlined. We spent a lot of time deliberating, and he made it more coherent. There are a lot of different styles on there; disco, electro, psych-rock and early 80s funk, ambient a little all over.
So you’re doing a short tour of Europe right now, how are you finding it? What have the reactions to your sets been like in the clubs?..
Pretty good. I’m really enjoying being over here, the first few nights were very Hip hop orientated, while me and Wolf were hoping for more of a house party type crowd where we could play whatever. Fabric was great, Leeds was possibly the worst as we played a very early set, I think I played at 8. And there were two separate nights going on, when Wolf finished up it must have been this college night starting as all these hot girls suddenly came in: I wish we played to them. People associate Stones Throw and Peanut Butter Wolf with 100% Hip hop but Peanut Butter Wolf listens to weirder music than anyone I know! It’s a tough position as I’m one of the few non-Hip hop artists (on Stones Throw), but I’m touring with Wolf and Dam Funk, who has recently signed to the label – he’s an 80s boogie maestro.
Ok, just closing up now, it’s time for a few quick fire questions. If you could do the score to one film what would it be?…
Logans Run. I love any old movie about the future.
You’re a big record collector, what’s the most you’ve spent on a piece of vinyl?..
Not that much, maybe $40. I pride myself on buying only cheap records, ones that aren’t worth shit.
 And the least, excluding free ones?..
In Spokane we get a record fair where you can buy a box of 50 records for $2! This is what record collectors don’t realise – nobody buys the cheap records, except the catfish – that’s me, the bottom feeders! All this music no ones checking for, so I get all this crazy stuff. I don’t have any ‘cool’ rare records, maybe just a few.
In the video for ‘Do A Couple Things’ you go to see Arabian Prince DJ, are you guys buddies? Does he talk about his NWA days often?
 I think so. That was the first time I met him, but I’ve deejayed with him a few times since and he is hilarious. He hasn’t really said much about his NWA days. And I’m not sure if you should print this, but he’s snogged Sade!
Sade, cool! Don’t worry I’ll keep it off the record…
James’s debut LP ‘Welcome’ was released May 26th on Stones Throw. He's back over in the UK in July for lots of London dates and a Glasgow one. check the myspace for all the info
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Kane
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