Jdot
DJ
Jdot aka James Moyle is a London-based DJ, founder of the mental health blog Out Of My Mind (OOMM), co-founder of the event series 'Feel Good’ along with two others, and host of the bi-monthly Feel Good show on Balamii Radio.
Feel Good takes place in the heart of Peckham in the intimate surrounds of Tola and showcases local talent to bring people together for an innocent weekend bop, hence the name ‘Feel Good’.
As a resident DJ for Feel Good events, Jdot sticks to vinyl and has built up a substantial collection of uplifting house, disco and stone-cold 90’s house classics. His energy and sheer love for tunes easily translates into every he has crowd played for, be it Bart’s in Dublin or Five Miles in Tottenham. The booking policy for Feel Good focuses on artists who are mostly from the SE15 area and the same goes for guests on Feel Good’s radio show on Balamii.
Along with promoting and DJing for Feel Good, James runs the mental health platform Out Of My Mind which is a consistent source of information and insights around mental health. Through concise and honest blog posts, the site aims to help young people struggling with their mental health, something which is relevant now more than ever.
It’s currently a difficult time for a lot of people and the below image goes back to what seems like another era ago. Along with sharing what’s keeping him sane and mentally in-check right now, James explains why this shot resonates with him…
Where was this photo taken and why did you pick it?
This photo was taken on the last day of last year’s Gottwood festival, I picked it because it's a staple summer memory for me and for the geezer at the front of the crowd. I was working as artist liaison and this was my last shift, it was the home stretch, the afternoon ‘til festival end. The stage was presented by Ransom Note and I saw the likes of Saoirse, Peach and Nathan Micay. As you can tell by the faces at the front of crowd, people are feeling it on the last day. Thankfully the DJs brought the energy in full force, Saoirse got things pumping with jungle and hard house which then lead to Peach B2B Nathan Micay’s amazing set whose final track was a trance remix of Andrea Bocelli’s - Por Ti Volare (the operatic song from Step Brothers). It was so beautiful - it almost brought a tear to my eye.
What are you listening to at the moment if you’re working from home?
Without bumming everyone out, I’ve actually been really ill. I’ll never know whether it was coronavirus or not due to lack of testing but I can safely say it’s been the worst illness of my life. Because of this music has been put on the back burner for me but before I became unwell I was listening to a lot of new garage by the likes of Alec Falconer, minimal by Henry Hyde and Carlos Ray and being enjoying various lives sets from DGTL festival’s broadcasts.
What's lockdown life like for you at the moment?
For the foremost, good - I live with good people and we keep busy, we even held a Come Dine With Me last weekend with the 3 couples who live in the flat. Although I’d be lying if I said my mental health hadn’t been heavily affected by lockdown. I don’t mind being inside but my anxiety goes crazy at the thought of going out! The anxiety generated fear can be difficult to overcome but I know that as long as everyone stays safe and healthy (including going outside to get fresh air!), we’ll be okay.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, do you have a go-to track or style of music that significantly lifts your spirits?
I’ve actually never relied on music to help me with my mental health but since isolation began I have been meditating even more frequently. I have been meditating for quite a while now so I don’t use an app, I just sit down for 10 minutes once or twice a day. To know it’s been 10 mins I ask Siri to put on some 'meditative' music and find a track or two that’s roughly that length of time. I’ve found some absolute bangers! Defo got some saved away that I plan to sample.
How do you intend on celebrating once we’re out the other side?
I can’t actually think of anything more significant then meeting up with all my friends and hugging them, followed by some cans, haha.
Any tips on how to look after your mind and body during this slightly stressful time?
I actually have a few! I run a non-profit to help young people with their mental health. I wrote a blog post filled with tricks n’ tips on how to deal with isolation.
The tips cover the topics of worry, food, socialising, work, health, money and entertainment. If you can get a hold on all of these then isolation and life itself will become a lot easier! I'm not saying everyone will be in the position to do so but I'm offering a list of suggestions to help people achieve a degree of comfort in their quarantine!
We're living in an unprecedented time and it's scary, I want people to feel comfortable in talking and expressing how they're feeling. Hold it down people! We will dance again.
Listen to Feel Good’s latest show on Balamii here and follow Jdot below: