AFX is a project by Richard D. James, better known as Aphex Twin. Born in Limerick, United Kingdom, in 1971, James is associated with acid techno, ambient, drill and bass, electro, electronic and experimental music. Under the AFX name, his work tends to lean more strongly towards acid techno than his other releases.

Background

James grows up in Cornwall and becomes involved in the local rave scene as a teenager, working as a DJ and musician. He takes the stage name Aphex Twin and later uses several aliases for releases on Warp Records and elsewhere. These include AFX, Polygon Window, Gak, Power-Pill, soit P-P and Q-chastic.

Rephlex Records and early releases

In 1991, James forms Rephlex Records with Grant Wilson-Claridge. He issues his first records through that label, as well as on Mighty Force and R&S Records of Belgium. After establishing himself, he relocates to London and continues to release albums and EPs under different names.

AFX releases

Among the better-known AFX recordings are Analogue Bubblebath 2, Hangable Auto Bulb 1&2 and Analord 10 in bindered edition form. In 2005, he releases the vinyl-only Analord series, which runs to more than 11 separate 12-inch singles. Chosen Lords follows as a selection from that series and appears with remastered and re-engineered versions of the original tracks on CD.

Collector interest and style

Many of James's limited-edition recordings become sought after by collectors, including releases under the names Gak and Power-Pill. His AFX material is closely associated with acid-focused electronic music and sits within his wider output as one of his many aliases.

Quotations and performance attitude

James says that he enjoys electronics, acid and jungle, and that he likes the combination of electronics and music. He also describes his live approach as centred on people dancing and having a laugh.