James Jay may be new to international ears, but in Bangkok’s nightlife circuit, he’s far from a beginner. With residencies at Classy Social Club, Space Plus (#43 in the world), and several other top-tier venues, James is a familiar name on weekend lineups. But when Classy hosted a special night of international melodic bass acts like Hoang, he did something different. He left his usual progressive house set behind and stepped into a new genre—just for the night. “Melodic bass is close to what I do, but I knew I had to keep my signature,” he shared in an EDMNOMAD exclusive interview. “Instead of focusing on heavy bass, I chose the beautiful side of it.”
His remix of “Golden Hour” became the emotional centerpiece. “I’ve listened to it hundreds of times and still get goosebumps,” he said. The set wasn’t a rebrand. It was a one-time expression of his core values: beauty, emotion, and connection. “If I’m going to step into bass, I need to make people feel something real.” Even with full bookings every week, James avoids the trap of trend-hopping. “For me, it’s about goosebumps, good vibes, and hearing people sing,” he said. That consistency makes his sets memorable, regardless of genre. Now, as he slowly transitions into production, he’s expanding—not shifting—his artistic identity.
“That’s the trick,” he added. “To keep your voice while showing people new sides of you.”
Why Progressive House Still Feels Like Home
James Jay’s reputation across Bangkok clubs is built on progressive house—a sound championed by EDM titans like Martin Garrix, he considers the genre both a comfort and a compass. Even as other genres rise around him, his loyalty is emotional, not strategic. “On my good days and on my bad days, progressive house always brings me back,” he said. It’s the genre that shaped his voice, and it continues to define how he connects with crowds.
Bangkok is a trend-heavy city, with new sounds arriving fast. But James doesn’t jump lanes. “That’s easy,” he said when asked how he stays grounded. “You just have to make a really great remix.” Instead of resisting trends, he doubles down on quality, digging deeper into the genre he loves. He prefers progressive tracks with vocal lines and strong emotional builds. “Those are the songs that stay with me,” he said. But in club sets where time is short, he adapts. “When I’m near the last few minutes of my set, I play as much progressive as I can,” he said. “So I mash up two songs into one.” Those final moments are when you leave the strongest impression.
Now he’s thinking about giving those moments more shape. “I’ve been considering building a cinematic intro and outro,” he said. “So even short sets feel like full stories.” In a city where everyone’s trying something new, James remains committed to the sound that first made him fall in love with dance music. It’s not just a preference—it’s his identity. And for a scene craving depth, that identity matters.
What’s Next for James Jay, From Local Clubs to Festival Dreams
Though he’s only starting to turn heads internationally, James Jay is already a fixture on Bangkok’s biggest stages. Between weekly residencies at Space Plus, Classy, and others, and high-profile sets at events like EDC Thailand, he’s already walking the line between underground consistency and festival ambition. “It’s the same feeling but different tactics,” he said. “In a club, you have to find the exact moment people let go.”
Festival sets demand scale, but James values intimacy too. “When 10,000 people go crazy, it feels like the earth is shaking,” he said. “But in clubs, you’re face to face with every reaction.” Both settings offer lessons. “I’m learning from every room, every crowd,” he said. Each night adds to a bigger picture: touring.
“Next year, I want to start touring more seriously,” he said. “Right now, I’m still learning, but the plan is 2026.” He isn’t rushing into it blindly. His past as a touring actor gave him experience with life on the road. “I’ve toured before—just in a different world,” he laughed. Even emotionally, he’s preparing. “Touring is lonely if you disconnect,” he said. “So I always talk to my loved ones morning and night.” That ritual will follow him no matter how far he goes. For now, he’s still rooted in Bangkok. But with every set, James Jay is playing like someone preparing for something much larger.
Learning Out Loud, Building with Others
One of James Jay’s most frequent collaborators is Phatcha, a fellow Bangkok DJ with her own loyal following. The two are often billed together, and fans have started asking for a B2B set. “We started DJing at the same time,” he said. “Her taste leans more mainstage or techno, but we blend well.” Though it hasn’t happened yet, the door is open. “If we keep working in the same genres, it’s a high possibility. As a resident DJ in multiple clubs, James faces a unique challenge: playing for regulars without becoming predictable. His solution? Relentless reinvention. “I get bored fast,” he said. “So I make new sets almost every night.” He tracks trends casually—scrolling reels, exploring edits—but always adds his spin.
He’s also learning to read the room beyond the music. “If you want a great show, be friends with the lighting crew,” he said. “They can elevate everything.” One night, he played a track the lighting engineer loved. Instantly, every laser fired. That synergy stuck with him Beyond the booth, he’s learning turntables and studying music’s structural elements across genres. “It’s not just EDM anymore,” he said. “I’m learning from pop, rock, even classical.” That curiosity is preparing him for the next big leap—production James Jay isn’t just refining his sound—he’s building his ecosystem. Collaboration, preparation, and daily experimentation are how he’s turning gigs into groundwork.
A Quiet Mind in a Loud Scene
Despite his growing calendar of club dates, James Jay is not the life-of-the-party stereotype. “People think DJs party all the time,” he said. “But I’m an introvert. I like quiet places better.” After shows, he goes home, unwinds with anime, and spends time with his three dogs. That disconnect is intentional. “My home is actually home,” he said. “It’s where I recharge.” Even when touring begins, he plans to stay grounded. “I always connect with my people—morning and night. That’s how I don’t lose myself. His first club show taught him resilience. “The CDJ broke. The cue button didn’t work,” he recalled. “I smiled, but I was sweating through my shirt.” Even now, behind every polished set is someone who still feels nervous sometimes. And that’s why he’s growing.
Financially, he’s careful. Producing is expensive, and he’s saving steadily. “DJs make money fast, but without a plan, it’s hard to move forward,” he said. His half-Chinese upbringing taught him to budget early. “My mom always said, ‘Save first.’ It’s in the blood. He’s also clear-eyed about what younger DJs need to know. “It takes patience and planning,” he said. “Fame isn’t guaranteed, but growth is a choice. For all his residencies and packed schedules, James still approaches each night with humility. That mindset might be his real advantage.
One Eye on Legacy, One Foot in the Lab: James Jay’s Advice To The Next Generation
In five years, James Jay hopes to be standing on the mainstage at Ultra Miami—but he knows dreams need structure. “I need to work hard, meet the right people, and build my skills,” he said. With no original tracks released yet, he’s focused entirely on learning production from the ground up. That process is slower than some expect. “I’m just now getting the tools together,” he said. “It takes money, patience, and a lot of time.” He’s been remixing and storytelling through DJ sets—but original music is his next challenge. He’s also teaching himself production theory by studying other genres. “I’ve been listening to everything—pop, classical, rock. It’s helping me understand structure better.”
He sees virality as part of the journey, not the goal. “To build legacy, people have to know who you are first,” he said. “But viral without depth fades fast.” One viral clip might get attention. But it won’t sustain a career. His emotional compass remains strong. “I played ‘Ghost’ by Justin Bieber hundreds of times,” he said. “That’s the kind of emotion I want in my own work. James Jay is early in his production chapter, but he’s not wandering. He knows where he’s headed. And for an artist still laying foundations, his vision already feels like something worth following.
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