Today we’d like to introduce you to James Corbett.
Hi James, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’ve been a fan of music for as long as I can remember. I can recall in my adolescent years to even now, I would collect a lot of music, whether it be CDs, Vinyl, or Digital downloads. I would watch documentaries and read books about specific musicians and artists, and also specific eras in music. During those days I would see my friends perform who were already DJs, which inspired me to consider giving it a try. Names like Malcolm Alexander, JME-LEE, MyGodComplex, and DJentrification to list a few.
My first time getting behind a set of decks happened in 2019 at an event called the Rec Room, which is hosted by DJ MyGodComplex. I had a 20-minute set that sparked the idea of becoming a DJ in motion, and by late 2020 I had gotten an opportunity to perform a live stream set for RecordBar Radio. After that was when more opportunities took place. I bought a DDJ-SR2 controller and began my process of being a DJ.
During those 2 years, I performed at different locations; such as The Churchill, Crescent Ballroom, Gracies, The Wayward, Cha Cha’s Tea Lounge, Bikini Lounge, and The Lost Leaf. I’ve performed for The Grand Unification Festival and The Groove Theory. I’ve uploaded 10 DJ mixes on SoundCloud and MixCloud, my most popular mix is “Can I Have A Dance?” which has over 3,000 streams. I’m very grateful for all the opportunities that have taken place on my path to becoming a DJ, and I’ve come a very long way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a DJ is the furthest thing from being easy, there are moments of relief and grace but I have been challenged in many different ways. During the summer of 2022, my car had issues that required it to be out of commission for 3 months, keep in mind, this was during the summer too. I would have to turn down events that needed me to bring my equipment. Aside from that, other challenges resurface in my memory.
I remember days when my laptop would give out when I had to play the backtracks of a rapper or a singer. I remember having to turn down song requests because I didn’t have the song in my library and I was nowhere near wifi. Being a DJ requires you to know more than just how to mix music.
You have to understand the signal flow of a mixer and know which cables to bring that match specific equipment. You have to be able to lift and carry supplies that in some cases weigh up to 75 pounds. You have to have reliable transportation that can get you safely to the event and home. You have to put into consideration the music that fits the overall aesthetic of the location and what the crowd wants to listen to. These are the challenges that I consider with being a DJ.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve been told that my house mixes are fun and groovy. I would say that the collection of music that I’ve built throughout the years is something that I’ve been proud of. Just digging through SoundCloud, Bandcamp, and TikTok I’ve been exposed to an amazing amount of music varying from House, Hip-Hop, R&B, Jazz, Disco, Indie, Dance, and Funk.
One thing that I’ve been great at is finding songs that blend perfectly together that give a new experience to songs that are already familiar. That for sure comes from the remixes, mash-ups, and edits from other artists that I blend in my mixes. So I guess I’d say that I specialize in “curating a vibe” as cliche as it sounds.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have a huge list of people that deserve a lot of credit, so if some people do not end up on the list I apologize in advance. I have to thank God for putting me in this position in my life, and I thank my family for their support.
I have to thank Malcolm Alexander, DJ J3, Pvpi Frvnko, Ashwaganda, MyGodComplex, JME-LEE, Zimablue, Stoney Pie, DJentrification, DJ Eupho, DJ Pootiecat, DJ Breauxx, The Color 8 Band, Prime Society, Rozotadi, John Cornelio, and Abby Walker for constantly inspiring me to continue with my path with the music.
I have to thank ArtNight, Snood City, Basement Tapes, The Illest Period, The Groove Theory, Grand Ave Records, The Lost Leaf, SynMusic, and Cha Cha’s Tea Lounge for giving me the space to be free and having an open format for me to DJ. I have to thank my photographer friends that have supported the journey as well. Iryna Glavnyk, Anna Wellington, Juilian Diaz, and Alexandra Gaspar.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/orbit_corbett
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orbit_corbett/
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-78302796
Image Credits
@trulyyours_media, @annashootshershot, and @blvckjacob
