James Halpin live @ Celia (Shanghai) 16.12.23

"Music is critical to my existence"

James Halpin appreciates and studies all forms of music for their mind altering and intoxicating properties. He has honed in on electronic music as the most effective and universal modern sound accentuating the aforementioned psychedelic qualities. With influences ranging from Johann Sebastian Bach to The Doors to The Chemical Brothers, his goal is to create a communal experience stimulated by music.

His sound explores the deeper and more intricate aspects of electronic music and has been described as adaptive, liquid, and provocative. “I focus on psychedelic/mind altering forms of music. That is the common thread. That is what people should expect from me”.

Starting out in 2007, he has DJ'ed at numerous venues in New York City including Pacha, Cielo, National Underground, Le Bain, and Open House among many others. He held a residency at New York City’s premier underground venue, the globally recognized Sullivan Room. James also cofounded Arclight, an underground electronic music event partnership, organizing and showcasing the best local NYC DJ talent as well as bringing in international producers/DJs with events all over New York City. More recently he has brought his sound to Shanghai, China at venues such as Celia and Lola. James has performed alongside the likes of Hernan Cattaneo, CID Inc, Marcelo Vasami, and Djuma Soundsystem. His mixes have also been featured Worldwide on Frisky Radio and Urbanet Radio.

“He brings sparkling yet understated progressive and tech-house beats that take a disciplined uphill journey of growing inertia” – Crossfadr.com