James Poole: Breaking the Mould in House Music
- Tony Allen
- Mar 13
- 4 min read
James Poole is one of the most exciting names emerging from the UK’s house music scene. Hailing from the North of England, he's rapidly gaining traction with a sound that blends old-school influences with forward-thinking production. With releases on Hot Creations, Elrow, and Experts Only, as well as high-profile DJ sets across Europe and South America, 2025 is shaping up to be his biggest year yet. We caught up with James to talk about his breakthrough year, upcoming releases, and the future of his music.
"A Year Full of Pinch-Me Moments"
2024 saw James release on major labels and perform internationally. Reflecting on his journey, he says, “I'm incredibly grateful for how 2024 went - a year full of pinch-me moments that I'd worked towards since day one. One of the best feelings as an artist is to experience the upside of all the hard work that has been put in prior - travelling around the country and flying abroad to share your music internationally. It’s special when it’s actually you packing your bags, knowing there are people waiting there to see you.”
It was also a year of artistic growth. “I really felt like I levelled up my production, and thankfully that was mirrored in the support I received from a plethora of artists I've always looked up to. Now it’s time to see what 2025 brings!”
New Music on Bandidos, Revival New York & NAIMA
James has lined up some serious label releases for 2025. “First up is the La Ocasa EP with my good friend Ky William on Rafa Barrios’ Bandidos imprint. These tracks have been heavily supported by Marco Carola, Michael Bibi & Dennis Cruz, and it’s amazing to see them doing damage at clubs like DC10, Pacha & Destino.”
On his upcoming releases with Revival New York and NAIMA, James is keeping some details under wraps. “I'll be announcing more soon across my socials. My Revival release has picked up a lot of club support from Jamie Jones, Franky Rizardo & Sidney Charles, whilst Blackchild loved the other track so much that he signed it for his NAIMA label. These feel like some of my freshest records to date, so fingers crossed everyone loves them too!”
The Unexpected Success of Baila Le Digo
One of James’ biggest surprises in 2024 was the runaway success of Baila Le Digo, which racked up over 1.2 million streams and hit the Beatport charts. “Honestly, I don't think either me or Ky expected it to perform quite as well as it did. When I previewed it on socials, it didn’t stand out as a track people were overly hyped for. Few story likes, few fire emojis, but nothing that would signal a million-plus streamer.”
This track proved to James that “you simply never know.” The record took off thanks to support from Calussa, Malone, and Dennis Cruz. “I think it connected with people because it’s simply a party tune - it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it always gets the dancefloor moving. Hopefully La Ocasa will follow in its footsteps!”
Ibiza Debut and Closing KOKO London
Playing at Eden and Hï in Ibiza and supporting John Summit at KOKO London were major milestones. “Ibiza is the mecca of dance music, so making my debut on the island felt incredibly special. The Eden show was for ABODE & Kaluki, and I closed the night with my best mates there – the same lads who saw me play to four people in a basement years ago.”
His Hï Ibiza set came as a last-minute surprise. “I woke up on the Monday and was invited to play the Wild Corner that very night - one of the most iconic spots in dance music.”
KOKO was another unexpected opportunity. “We were planning to go down and meet the crew after releasing on Experts Only, then the 4-5am slot became available and John’s management asked if I wanted to play. A night I’ll never forget.”
Growing an Audience and Looking Ahead
James saw a massive 529% increase in listeners on Spotify in 2024. “I think Baila Le Digo played a huge part, as well as signing to labels like Experts Only and Hellbent. Those records introduced me to new audiences, especially in North and South America. Some people will then deep-dive into your page and discover your older releases – that’s what I do whenever I find a new artist.”
For 2025, the focus is simple: more music. “I’m adamant on keeping the flow going - new music every month and ensuring I keep it up all year round. Being an artist in 2025 is like a jigsaw puzzle, but releasing music you’re proud of is always the centrepiece. Everything else falls into place from there.”
Festival Season and Adapting His Sets
With festival appearances locked in for ABODE On The Rock, Loosedays, and GemFest, James is looking forward to a packed summer. “Festival season is when life peaks every year! Those outdoor sessions with the sun beaming down are unbeatable.”
On adapting to different crowds, he says, “You can never assume. I go in with an open mind, test the waters with my opening tunes, assess the room, and make selections accordingly to ensure people have a great night.”
Choosing the Right Labels
James has worked with labels like Experts Only, Hellbent, and Nothing Else Matters. What does he look for when signing music? “The power of social media has put a lot of control in artists’ hands, but there’s still value in the ‘seal of approval’ from a label. Signing with Jamie Jones’ labels made people take me more seriously and opened doors that were closed before.”
Passion is key. “A lot of labels are data-driven, and I get it - it’s a business. But when someone genuinely loves a record, that enthusiasm shows in the campaign, and you’re more likely to build a real relationship with them.”
A James Poole Set in Three Words
For those who haven’t caught him live yet, James sums up his DJ sets in three words: “Playful. Energetic. Explorative.”
With his dedication to pushing boundaries in house music, 2025 is set to be a defining year for James Poole. Keep an eye on his releases and festival appearances - you won’t want to miss what’s next.
James Poole
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