James Ellis - My Year In Hard Dance

What's been your biggest achievement of the year?

My biggest achievement was finally getting to play a few more big London gigs, especially Frantic & Glowball which are both promotions that I love! It's been great to broaden my horizons and meet new promoters that have immediately had faith in me and given me peak time sets! (special mention to Ru also!) I believe that I have not disappointed them. Also finally getting my productions out and on my label (3 PHASE Records)and seeing them shoot into the top 5 on the TID Hard Dance chart!

What moments will you never forget?

A couple of amazing gigs which stand out; B2T on 12th April back at the Sanctuary in B'ham for their "BOLLOX TO THE POLYTICS" party. I was playing to a very packed main room of around 700; with a very appreciative and smiling crowd, some exciting new tracks and consistent energetic mixing on the decks. It's the closest i have ever felt to my home crowd, and we were all very in tune with the music for that hour. As well as that, I remember my first Glowball gig in Feb, the atmosphere and heat in the room knocked me for six - i really enjoyed that gig too!

Who's been your favourite newcomer of the year?

DJ wise, there are so many - even on the bouncier side of things, but i would say Dawson - even though he's not massively new, I properly noticed him this year and his skills and "X Factor" blew me away. Producer wise, its got to be Mr Mister. Watch out for his hard bounce stuff!

Who's been the artist of the year for you?

Technikal, even though i only play a small selection of his stuff. Tracks like "Song For You' and "Look at the Heaven' are simply brilliant and very cutting edge.

What's been your favourite label of the year?

Aside from mine & Tom Berry's label 3 PHASE, which of course we eat sleep and breathe, i would say Awsum is my favourite. Andy and his team have done a great job creating a unique sound and pushing the muscial boundaries each time.

What do you think has been the best track of the year?

My favourite track of the year has to be "Lover" by Tom Berry & Wain Johnstone (3 Phase). It sums up everything that our label has been about and the sound that I have been into the last year or so. It gets me going every time!

What's been your favourite event of the year?

Probably B2T New Years Day 2009 (though, as a resident, i am biased!) Stunning venue, stunning sound system, made even better with hard dance and happy faces x 1500!

What's the funniest thing that's happened to you?

My record bag went walkies for the first time in 8 years of DJing. I utterly pooed my pants as it had my phone and car keys in it. Some of my mates found it funny. Cant blame them! It turned up after about 30 mins of panic thankfully...

What do you have planned for the next year?

To keep pushing the record label with Tom, to get more of my own tracks out, to break into different parts of the dance scene and expand with more label tours, and on the DJing front to continue working with great big brands like B2T, Frantic, Glowball, Bounce Heaven and others... Keep up to date with me at www.facebook.dj/jamesellis and with the label at www.3phaserecords.com

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