The Studio, The Road, and The Groove: An Interview with James Wyler

James Wyler is building serious momentum in the minimal tech circuit. Born in New Jersey, then living out in North Carolina’s small but tight underground house scene, he’s come a long way since those early days, now based in Brooklyn where he’s built a studio that’s become his creative home base. Tucked into the concrete walls of his apartment’s basement, it’s the perfect spot to experiment with sound at full volume, his Ableton Push always within reach.

When he’s not in the studio, Wyler’s out with his Fujifilm camera, snapping moments from his travels that end up shaping his music. Whether it’s digging for vinyl at Brooklyn’s record stores, hitting live jazz bars for some sax and piano vibes, or taking his dogs for long walks with headphones on, Wyler finds plenty of everyday inspiration outside the club.

House music hit him hard back in college, especially after a life-changing trip to Europe where a night on the terrace at Amnesia Ibiza sparked his love and interest in the scene. Since then, he’s been building his sound—pulling from old-school jazz and funk, stripped-back Romanian grooves, and terrace-ready tech. Now, with tracks out on labels like Solid Grooves, Whippin, Factory 93, Rawthentic, and collaborations with artists like Kyle Walker, Slugg, ChaseWest, Fletch, and more, Wyler’s gearing up for what’s shaping up to be a big and bright 2025.

In this interview, Wyler breaks down his influences, fueling the artistic workflow, and what’s next for him in our beloved world of music. For fans of groovy minimal tech and those curious about where the community is headed, this is a read you’ll want to check out.

You’ve mentioned building out your home studio in Brooklyn was key when moving to New York. What’s your favorite part of the space and how has it influenced your creative process?

Yeah, moving can always be a pain, but it was exciting to have a part of our new home that I could look forward to building out. Over the years, I have been compiling different pieces of equipment, and I feel like I'm finally in a place where I have all the pieces that I am consistently using on my music.

We found an apartment with a room that is down in our basement, which allows me to enter the studio without the stressor that our neighbors are going to have an issue with the sound, seeing that the room is completely surrounded by concrete. My favorite part of my studio is more so a favorite piece… I would probably say it is my Ableton Push; I use that in every track! Honestly, too, I feel that the change of environment has helped spark a lot of new creativity for me.

Aside from music, you’re also into photography. How does shooting with your Fujifilm fit into your daily routine, and does it ever inspire your music?

It definitely has influenced my music. I realized that I have made it a habit when not only touring but also when doing any kind of travel that I am seeing the things around me from a new perspective…thinking about capturing shots that really emphasize the feeling a place brings me. Retrospectively, this gets me thinking about how my sound can embody a place, venue, or specific part of the world. I have been building out a bank of shots that have inspired me and finding a way to make it all blend into the brand and vibe I want to share. You will definitely see it included more and more in my project next year.

What’s the one thing you always have to do when you’re back in North Carolina?

There’s this unbelievable Cuban spot I can’t skip – Calle De Sol. It’s basically tradition at this point. Plus, the neighborhood where this restaurant is located holds a lot of Charlotte history. Going back to places like that is always on the list.

You travel for shows both in the US and internationally. How do you stay grounded amidst the hectic schedule, and how do different places inspire your sound?

Hitting the gym or going for a run keeps me sane on the road. Physical activity is one of those things that, no matter where you are in the world, you can find a way to stay active. Of course, there are the places I go to and have the luxury of a gym, but even just making it a point to get out for a run not only brings me a sense of groundedness but also a spark for inspiration. When I can get outside places like the deserts of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, or the beaches off the coast of San Diego, CA, when I am able to immerse myself in an entirely different lifestyle from my own, I am definitely inspired.

Going to record stores around Brooklyn sounds like a cool hobby. Any recent vinyl discoveries you’ve been obsessed with?

Yeah, I recently picked up “Comin’ Home Baby” by Herbie Mann. It’s got such a cool, old-school groove.

You’ve got a couple of dogs – how do they factor into your day-to-day life? Do you ever find inspiration during your walks with them?

Haha, they’re a handful, but they keep me in a routine. Routines revolving around daily walks or even just keeping them fed play a huge factor for me in staying balanced. When out on a long walk where I have my headphones in, I’m always discovering new tracks and sounds.

Tell us about the underground party scene in North Carolina and how it influenced your start in house music?

It's interesting because there was really only one group of guys throwing underground music back when I got into it around 2016/2017. It was awesome they were bringing guys like Paco Osuna and Stacey Pullen, but the scene has really grown, and there are a lot of promoters that are now throwing some awesome parties.

As far as influences, I really have to give a shoutout to my boy Dan, as he is the one that really showed me proper house music back in the day. When I initially started working on music, I wanted to learn how I could discover techniques that Jamie Jones was using in tracks like “You!”.

Thinking about it now, it is crazy thinking back on how much my sound has been able to evolve from back in my NC studio, which originally consisted of a computer table with two speakers shoved into a corner of my room right next to my bed.

You’ve mentioned seeing Marco Carola at Amnesia in Ibiza as a pivotal moment in shaping your sound. What specifically about that experience lit the fire for your music career?

That night was unforgettable. I’d been DJing for a while at that point, but seeing Paco open for Marco on the terrace – the energy was like nothing I’d ever felt. The way the crowd moved together was unreal. After that, I knew I wanted to create that same kind of magic.

How did your first gig feel, and what’s the biggest thing you’ve learned since then about performing live?

I started out playing top 40 and hip-hop, so it was a different vibe. I am thankful, though, for getting to play for those kinds of crowds at the beginning. It taught me the importance of being able to read a crowd. Biggest lesson so far?

Just to make sure I am always enjoying it, making sure I am having fun when on stage, as the crowd feeds off your energy. Also, just spending endless hours digging for music—it’s always a great feeling when you play something new that people haven't heard before and you can feel it in the reaction on the dancefloor.

Your discography includes releases on top labels like Solid Grooves Raw and Rawthentic. How do you approach each new project, and do you have any rituals in the studio?

Before any session, I spend 20-30 minutes just vibing to music that inspires me—could be new, could be old, doesn’t matter. It gets me in the groove, and from there, I let things flow naturally.

It has been nice getting in the studio this past year with different artists from all over the world and seeing how they, too, start sessions and how we find a way to merge our creative rituals into one for collaborations.

What role does jazz, funk, and soul play in your music today? Do these influences sneak into your tracks in unexpected ways?

Always. I pull a lot from ‘70s and ‘80s tracks. That groove and feel are timeless, and I want that same energy in my own music when it hits a dancefloor.

Do you remember the first time you hit a jazz bar in Brooklyn? What keeps bringing you back to live jazz performances?

Absolutely insane vibe. A friend invited me to this spot in Manhattan, a tiny apartment-turned-music-venue. BYOB, 50-person cap—the energy was electric. Live jazz is just something else.

Who do you currently have on repeat when it comes to stripped-back Romanian minimal grooves? What about those sounds grabs your attention?

Jean Pierre, Jesse Calosso, Fletch, Mason Collective—I really love what these guys are putting out at the moment and draw a ton of inspiration from their music. But I do have a strong connection with a deeper side with guys like Michael James, Pascal Benjamin, Traumer, etc. There's just something about a strong groove on a good system that hits different.

You’ve drawn inspiration from artists like ANOTR and Franky Rizardo. What about the newer wave of artists do you connect with most?

I’m all about forward-thinking music and artists who love what they do. ANOTR, for example, has really shown that it’s cool to just be yourself and share your art, however it comes out. I am constantly trying to push myself to embrace this mindset and creative style.

Being surrounded by these pockets of young artists that are really starting to explode helps draw out motivation when I am seeing these guys that have really been coming up in the scene alongside me having a lot of success in our own ways. Our community of not only artists but also other industry faces that build up artists behind the scenes is truly encouraging, and it's amazing to get the opportunity to see us all flourish.

With so many influences from big names and rising artists, how do you keep your sound uniquely yours?

Just continuing to push myself to create new styles of tracks. It honestly makes it more fun exploring and getting creative with new ways of working. I’ve recently started working with vocalists, which has really allowed me to be more creative and personal with my music. Additionally, getting in the studio this year with Fletch, ChaseWest, Slugg, Ky William, Kyle Walker, and the Risque crew, to name a few, has really pushed boundaries with my music.

What’s your guilty pleasure track or artist that people would be surprised to hear you love?

A Tribe Called Quest – "Electric Relaxation." Total classic.

Any funny tour stories that come to mind from your recent travels?

Nothing too specific stands out, but lately, it’s been all about those spontaneous, unforgettable moments—meeting incredible people from all corners of the world and soaking up new cultures with my closest friends. Every adventure feels like a new chapter in this crazy story we're writing together.

If you could play a surprise set anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would it be and why?

Amnesia Terrace. It’s iconic, and that energy is unmatched.

You’re stuck on a deserted island but somehow have a solar-powered DJ setup. What three records do you bring with you?

Gadjo – “So Many Times,” Toto – “Africa,” Frankie Smith – “Double Dutch Bus.” Love this question, though, because I have actually taken a personality quiz where my results stated that I would struggle to be stranded on an island because I am someone who loves being in and around people.

What’s next for James Wyler? Anything exciting in the works that we should keep our ears out for?

Early 2025 is shaping up for me as we close out 2024… Got some new releases lined up, experimenting with fresh styles in the studio, including some collabs with Kyle Walker & Fletch.

The Risque crew here in NY has really given me a home base team that I am building out new projects with as I’ve gotten involved with the label and parties, so I’m excited to see things grow going into next year.