• Paul Daley
• Howie B
• Swayzak
• Harri
• SCSI-9
• The Amalgamation
  of Soundz
• Mat Carter
• Dave Congreve
• Krysko
• James McArdle
• Jake Manders
• Paul Louth
• Lee Smith
• Jay Kilka
• David Martin

James McArdle [Construct]

Mixes ...

James McArdle LIVE May 2010 (warm up) (55m)
James McArdle Proton Radio Mix April 2008 (52m)
James McArdle LIVE DividedByDirt November 2004 (warm up) (54m)

Biography ...

A socialist club in the middle of nowhere without a dedicated sound system (or DJ booth) is an unlikely place to find 200 people hammering their feet and fists in an attempt to hear one last tune from Kevin Saunderson. Similarly, watching Craig Richards refuse to stop the tunes at closing time - much to the delight of the revellers in attendance - is about as memorable as it gets. 

These are lasting images from the DividedByDirt parties. Small events started by long-term friends James, Jake Manders and Dave Caine in their hometown of Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.  

With the decks graced by other guests including Andrew Weatherall, Paul Daley and more Craig Richards (the events still stand amongst his favourite gigs), the night quickly gained notoriety and each event began to sell out well in advance  - it’s little wonder The Guardian, Jockey Slut and DJ Magazine rated them as amongst the best in the UK. Proper parties for proper people with proper tunes - what more could you ask for?

With the untimely death of Dave and a host of heavy hearts the DBD events came to a close at the peak of their popularity in 2006. 

By this time promoters from the likes of Fabric in London and Glasgow’s Pressure had attended. After seeing James warming up for the guests they booked him to open the legendary English and Scottish nights soon after. Other revered UK haunts including Manchester’s Kindergarten and Nottingham’s Stealth soon quickly followed suit, with James playing alongside DJs such as Magda, Craig Richards, Andrew Weatherall, Richie Hawtin, Radioslave, Pepe Bradock, Chris Duckenfield and Michael Mayer to name a few.

Never one to let his feet leave the ground, James understands the art of the warm-up. His DJing fits to the night, party, crowd and - perhaps most importantly - headliner. It’s an understanding that comes from a musical output of DJing and DJing alone, and a desire to challenge the headliner into delivering.

Although happy in the shadows, setting the pace and building the right mood for the right time, James is just as comfortable playing the peak hours. Just ask the promoters of his recent shows in Budapest who witnessed him hammer it out in a hijacked club (no, seriously) and an abandoned school earlier this year.

Following the end of DividedByDirt James took two years away from the scene. Then, in 2008, with a clear head and new perspectives, Construct was born. An agency solely concerned with the party,
a sporadic promotions outfit holding events only when the right opportunity arises and a soon-to-be record label.

As with his DJing, it’s born of a passion for doing things simply and properly. Providing good music for good dancefloors... Nothing more, nothing less..

Words: Martin Guttridge-Hewitt