10 Questions with ... Steve James

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stevejamesDJ
Twitter: twitter.com/stevejames
Instagram: www.instagram.com/stevejamesmusic

Soundcloud:

1) Where are you from and where do you live?

I grew up in Johnstown, PA and live in Los Angeles now.

2) You just put out a new song, "Warrior" f/ Lights, while your previous single, "In My Head," climbs the Dance Radio charts. What can you tell us about "In My Head" with RKCB.

The guys are really good friends of mine. We met as the first guys I did sessions with in Los Angeles. We wrote that song the first two days we worked together. Came back together about five to six months later and still really loved it after doing our own stuff and just got together and finished it ... now it's out!

3) Prior to "In My Head" you had out "Renaissance." Was that your first song you released?

It is my first original record. I've been producing for about four years and that was the first original record.

4) You've been doing some remixes for people. How did you get started doing remixes?

I started out by doing a few remixes. I had a "Faded" remix of Zhu that did really well. I did one for the The Chainsmokers f/ Great Good Fine Ok "Let You Go," and one for Matthew Koma "Kisses Back," as well as a number of others.

5) For people who don't know your sound, when you DJ, what can they look forward to?

Right now it's current pop and future bass that fits with the 95 BPM style that I've take on myself, so it's all this high energy with lots of vocals, lots of vocals.

6) During the 2016 Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) you DJ'ed with Martin Garrix. Who are some of your inspirations?

Martin Garrix certainly is one of them. Being a 16-year-old watching an 18-year-old on that stage was always just, awe. Avicii was always a huge inspiration for me, his sound for me, I always loved his sound, his music and how he pushed me up a level. I always love Kaskade's energy and passion in his music.

7) If you could work with any one, vocalist, or producer who would it be?

I would say Avicii, I would love to sit down with him and start something up.

8) Aside from your new single, "Warrior" that you recently released, do you have other music that is in the works? What can we expect from you in 2017?

I recently finished two months of touring. It was awesome. Did Europe, the East Coast, the West Coast. I'm working on an EP. I spent the whole year, writing a lot of songs, about seven or eight now that are obvious; songs that I love. I co-wrote them so they mean something. I spent the end of 2016 just wrapping those up and getting them to a place to put them out 2017. That's the plan.

9) When you were 16, you co-produced and co-wrote the title track on Justin Bieber's LP 'Purpose.' You collaborated with Martin Garrix on "In The Name Of Love" and supported The Chainsmokers on their Friendzone Tour. You've accomplished so much with just being 18 years old. With so many young people trying to break into the music business, what advice do you have for the up-and-coming artist, producer, DJ?

Absolutely stay true to yourself. If you aren't doing music that gets you excited to wake up in the morning to work on it to play in the shows, you're never going to make it. So staying true, whatever feels right to you.

10) Favorite city to tour in so far?

I really like Amsterdam. It's been a lot of fun here. Ibiza was also awesome! That was probably the best 24 hours of my life! Beaches, sunshine and it starts from noon til 6a. Amazing!

When you're not working or in the studio, what are you doing to have fun?

I play a lot of video games.

Back in your hometown in Pennsylvania, is there a favorite restaurant you like to eat at?

Man, in my town we like Applebee's and Chili's. Wait, that's not true there's one Boulevard Grill, downtown that my parents go to all the time. That's a local restaurant that's the best in town. One other Italian restaurant, I'm not kidding there's like two non-chain restaurants in my town that serve a good meal.

Do your parents come to hear you play?

Yes! My parents went to one of my early shows in Pittsburgh when I opened for The Chainsmokers; they actually came to my last show in Vegas as well, too.

After they met The Chainsmokers, they still let you do it!?

LOL! They didn't meet The Chainsmokers! They got there right before my set went one.

Thankfully. LOL