James Holden

Born on 7 June 1979 in Exeter, Devon, James Holden is a British electronic music producer, DJ, and composer whose work defies easy categorisation. Emerging in the late 1990s with genre-defining trance and progressive house tracks like "Horizons", he quickly distinguished himself with a cerebral, boundary-pushing approach to electronic music. Founder of the influential Border Community label, he has played a key role in launching the careers of artists such as Nathan Fake and Luke Abbott. His evolution from club DJ to avant-garde composer has seen him explore modular synthesis, live improvisation, and global musical traditions. His critically acclaimed albums—including The Idiots Are Winning (2006), The Inheritors (2013), and Imagine This Is a High Dimensional Space of All Possibilities (2023)—showcase a unique blend of experimental electronics, psychedelic textures, and deep emotional resonance. Whether performing solo or collaborating with artists across genres—from Moroccan Gnawa masters to jazz musicians—James Holden remains a visionary force in modern electronic music, constantly reshaping the boundaries of sound and performance. In 2025, he joined forces with Polish clarinettist Waclaw Zimpel for the album The Universe Will Take Care of You.