Audiojack

Audiojack is a DJ and producer duo from Leeds. The act consists of James Rial and Richard Burkinshaw. They work as DJs, producers and label owners, and their sound spans techno, minimal techno, house and tech house, with an early focus on robotic techno and a later move towards a deeper, housier style.

Career

The duo first meet in Ibiza through a shared interest in music and DJing, then begin working together in Leeds. After a year of studio work, they make an early demo that leads to their first production being signed by Leftroom. That track, “Robot”, becomes one of the most discussed and widely supported releases of its year, helping them move quickly from local activity to international attention.

They build a reputation through releases and remixes for labels including 20:20 Vision, Leftroom, Get Physical and Diynamic, as well as through their own Gruuv imprint. Their work also includes remixes for Renaissance, Blu-Fin, Great Stuff, Underworld, 2020 Soundsystem, H.O.S.H. and Groove Armada. The duo’s output crosses house and techno, and their tracks are often difficult to place in a single genre.

Albums and notable releases

Audiojack’s debut album, Radio, appears on 20:20 Vision after more than a year in development. It includes tracks such as “Schizophonic”, “Jack the Keys” and the title track “Radio”. The album receives critical attention and support from radio and club DJs, including Pete Tong, James Zabiela, DJ Hell, Danny Tenaglia, Lee Burridge and Laurent Garnier. The duo later release the Kicks for Kicks EP on Get Physical’s digital sister label.

Other notable releases include the Shakedown / Motion Sickness EP on 20:20 Vision and the Get Serious EP, also on 20:20 Vision. “Get Serious” spends several months in Beatport’s deep house top 10 and becomes one of Resident Advisor’s most charted tracks in a month, while “Polka Dot Dress” and a cover of Backroom’s “Definition of a Track” also draw support.

Gruuv and collaborations

In 2010, Audiojack launch Gruuv as their own label. It is intended as a place to support new artists, release selected Audiojack material and present electronic music they value. The label quickly becomes successful, reaching large single sales in its early releases and appearing at the top of Beatport and in Resident Advisor’s monthly chart.

The duo also work with vocalist Kevin Knapp on “Like This” on Leftroom, and collaborate with artists including Noir, Ruede Hagelstein and Stee Downes. They also begin developing a live show to present their back catalogue and newer productions in an interchangeable live format.

DJ work and performances

As DJs, Audiojack tour in more than 50 countries and play venues and events including Space in Ibiza, Fabric in London, Watergate in Berlin, D-Edge in São Paulo, AgeHa in Tokyo, Circo Loco in Sydney, Avalon in Los Angeles, Sankey’s in Manchester, Fabrik in Madrid, Zouk in Singapore and Basics in Leeds. Festival appearances include Fuji Rock Festival in Japan and Chemical Music Festival in Rio de Janeiro.

Their early years are closely linked with Back to Basics in Leeds, which helps shape their development and leads to a remix of Paul Woolford’s “Erotic Discourse”.