James Zabiela

About James Zabiela

James Zabiela is a highly respected DJ and producer from Southampton, England, renowned for his innovative technical skills and eclectic fusion of electronic music genres. In his early career, his signature sound blended breakbeat and progressive house, but he has since evolved to incorporate techno and acid house into his sets, while still maintaining his signature breakbeat elements. Zabiela is celebrated for his wizardry on the decks, utilizing Pioneer CDJs, effects units, samplers, Ableton Live, and sometimes an iPad to create intricate loops, layered sounds, and live remixes, effectively transforming DJ equipment into a musical instrument. This technical prowess and musical approach, where he meticulously mixes in key and crafts melodically fitting sets, has earned him a reputation as a vibrant and versatile selector with a global audience. He also maintains a significant role as an advisor and product tester for Pioneer, contributing to the development of new DJ technology. In recent endeavors, James Zabiela continues to be active with live performances across the globe. Upcoming events in late 2025 include appearances in Mendoza, Mar del Plata, and Buenos Aires, Argentina in early December, as well as Copenhagen, New York City, and a Space Ibiza NYE Festival in London later that month. He is also slated to perform at The Indoor Garden at Wav in Liverpool in March 2025 and Balance Croatia in August 2026. Zabiela also runs his own label, Born Electric, which champions new artists and pushes the boundaries of electronic sound, having released music from artists like Hot Chip, Midland, and FaltyDL. He released his "Balance 029" mix CD in 2018, which aimed to capture the spontaneity of his live mixing.