Member Since: 7/19/2004
Influences: JAMES AMATO E-LIST SIGN-UP!
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BIOGRAPHY:
Potty Mouth Music
SmartBar
James Amato’s business-savvy approach to the music industry has kept him balancing roles of promoter, record label owner, DJ and producer for more than a decade. From hosting his first one-off event in 1999 to securing his position as Director of Music and Bookings at Chicago’s historically influential SmartBar since 2006, James has become one of the most widely recognized names on the national & electronic music scene. Most recently, James has established his industry presence further, launching his widely successful fidget/electo/tech house label, Potty Mouth Music, which has earned him notoriety worldwide.
James launched his music career in his native city of Milwaukee, Wis., where he climbed through the promotional ranks of the local and Midwest rave scene in the 1990s. After working at pioneering electronic music venues—including Revolutions Records and Bassment with promoter and mentor Steven Kaye—he landed the position of Saturday Night Music Director and resident DJ at Milwaukee’s Pure nightclub. At the time, Pure stood as the city’s premiere underground music venue, boasting a six-figure sound system and sprawling capacity.
In 2004, James invested back into the industry by becoming co-owner and director of music and bookings at Milwaukee’s Mantra Lounge. Here he launched Kamasutra, a legendary Friday event that ran for three successful years. Kamasutra would go on to host an unprecedented line-up of electronic music talent the city had never seen before, or has ever seen since. As the night’s promoter, James booked a versatile roster of underground artist that defied genre boarders. The consistent success of Kamasutra put the city’s club scene on the national radar, as it garnered press attention from publications including URB and earned James a front-page cover story in Nightclub/Bar Magazine. His success also earned him runner-up for the “Best Promoter†in the U.S. by URB magazine, along with several pictorial Kamasutra spreads throughout 2005. Locally, James earned several press accolades, including “Best Club DJ†in Milwaukee’s 2005 Shepherd Express readers’ poll.
In September 2006, James relocated to Chicago to become the new Director of Music and Bookings at Chicago’s SmartBar, a historic venue with a 25-year tradition of showcasing electronic talent. Under the guidance of owner Joe Shanahan James continues broaden his scope as a promoter and bookings director, debuting innovative artists to Chicago, including Switch, Alan Braxe, Digitalism, Para One, Boys Noize, Erol Alkan and Claude Vonstroke.
In 2008, Club Systems International recognized his efforts to diversify and promote Chicago’s electronic music scene by selecting him as one of its “Next 10 Exciting Up-and-Comers†as part of its annual VIP Edition—“Nightlife’s 30 Most Influential People.†Additionally, James has received critical Chicago fanfare in 2007, when he was named part of NewCity magazine’s “45—45 Most Influential People That Rock Chicago!â€
James’ promotional rise on the underground electronic scene led to his creation of two widely success digital/vinyl labels, including his 2007 venture, Potty Mouth Music, which showcases a diverse roster of fidget and tech house producers. With artists including: Santiago & Bushido, Crookers, HiJack, DJ Fame, The Bulgarian, and HeavyFeet, Potty Mouth Music has established itself as an innovative label embracing the newer dirty-quirky union of electro, house and techno. The label earned further notoriety in 2008, when label members Santiago & Bushido claimed the number-one downloaded track spot for their Potty Mouth single, “Head Trick,†claiming the spot for three consecutive weeks on beatport.com. The digital download site is the second most-trafficked music internet site in the world.
James continues to push the industry envelope in balancing his career as a Chicago-based promoter and label-owner. He now DJs exclusively at his resident home of SmartBar, playing only six shows a year in Chicago. His dedication in the studio and in the club continues to the industry standard of the international electronic music scene.
DISCOGRAPHY:
"Lets Misbehave EP"
James Amato & Nate Bowen
Neighborhood House Watch (2007)
Tracks: Lets Misbehave, El Chicos Revenge,
Boosco Rosco, SolFire
"Ride It EP"
James Amato & Nate Bowen
Vista Recordings (2007)
Tracks: Ride It, Simply Sax, Jazz & Tonic
"Chop Suey EP"
James Amato & Nate Bowen
Neighborhood House Watch (2007)
Tracks: Disco Oops, I Feel, Step Right Up, Hot Monte
"I-94 EP"
James Amato & Nate Bowen
Reb Brunette Recorings (2007)
Track: Way Out West
"When We Swing EP"
Sombionx & James Amato
Q Studios (2006)
Tracks: When We Swing, When We Swing Remix
Kavalcade, Kavalcade Remix
"Looking For You EP"
Danny S
Nine Records (2005)
Remix: Looking For You (J Amato & N Bowen Remix)
FOR DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL BOOKINGS:
APT ENTERTAINMENT INC
Shannon Bryan
306-437 Jarvis Street
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2H1 CANADA
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEB: www.aptentertainment.com
JAMES HAS BOOKED & WORKED WITH THE FOLLOWING ARTISTS: LAST UPDATED: 02.01.08
1200 Warriors (New York) - Aaron Lacrate (Baltimore) - Acidman (Chicago) - African Bambaataa (New York) - AK1200 (Miami) - Alan Braxe (France) - Alena (Chicago) - Alex Peace (Chicago) - Andre Harris (Chicago) - Andy Caldwell (San Francisco) - Angel Alanis (Los Angeles) - Aphrodite (UK) - Atrak (Canada) - Baby Anne (Orlando) - Bad Boy Bill (Chicago) - Benwah (New Zealand) - Black Sun Empire (UK) - Bloody Beetroots (Italy) - Brad Owen (Chicago) - Brian Heath (Chicago) - Bryan Jones (Chicago) - Casper (Chicago) - Chris Liebing (Frankfurt) - Christian Smith (New York) - Christopher Lawrence (LA) - Chuck Daniels (Detroit) - Chuck Love (Minneapolis) - Claude Vonstroke (San Fran) - Colette (LA) - Dan Efex (Chicago) - Dan X (Chicago) - Danny the Wildchild (Chi) - Damian Lazarus (UK) - Dara (New York) - Darude (Finland) - Dave Ralph (Miami) - Dayhota (Toronto) - Deepswing (LA) - Demarkus Lewis (Dallas) - Derrick Carter (Chicago) - Dieselboy (Philadelphia) - Dietrich Shonnemon (NY) - Digitalism (Germnay) - Diplo (New York) - Diz (Chicago) - Dizzy (San Diego) - DK (UK) - DJ Assult (Detroit) - DJ Craze (Miami) - DJ Gantman (Chicago) - DJ Godfather (Detroit) - DJ Krush (Jampan) - DJ Monk (Tampa) - DJ Dan (Los Angeles) - DJ Falcon (France) - DJ Fame (New York) - DJ Food (UK) - DJ Funk (Chicago) - DJ Heather (Chicago) - DJ Homewrecker (Mke) - DJ Huggie (Los Angeles) - DJ Hype (UK) - DJ Icey (Orlando) - DJ Lego (Chicago) - DJ Markey (Brazil) - DJ Mes (San Francisco) - DJ Micro (New York) - DJ Rap (Los Angeles) - DJ Rectangle (Las Vegas) - DJ Rekha (new York) - DJ Sammy (Spain) - DJ Shortee (Los Angeles) - DJ Sneak (Toronto) - DJ Tuesdae (New York) - Doc Martin (Los Angeles) - Dom & Roland (UK) - Don Vito (Philadelphia) - Donald Glaude (Los Angeles) - Duke Dumont (UK) - Dylan (UK) - East Coast Boogiemen (DC) - Ed Rush & Optical (UK) - Ellen Alien (Germany) - Elliot Eastwick (UK) - Empress (New York) - Faust & Shortee (Los Angeles) - Ferry Corsten (Neatherlands) - Flosstradamus (Chicago) - Franie Bones (New York) - Frank Solano (Chicago) - Fred Everything (Canada) - Gabriel & Dresden (SF) - Gein (Milwaukee) - Goldie (UK) - Glenn Underground (Chicago) - Green Velvet (Chicago) - Grooverider (UK) - Gui Boratto (Brazil) - Hector Moralz (Los Angeles) - Hipp-E (San Diego) - Hive (Los Angeles) - Hot Chip (UK) - Icey (Orlando) - J Boogie (San Francisco) - J Majik (UK) - Jacob London (Dallas) - James Curd (Chicago) - James Holden (UK) - Jason Hodges (Toronto) - JDub (Chicago) - Jeff Mills (Detroit) - Jesse Rose (Germany) - Jevne (Minneapolis) - Joey Youngman (Oakland) - John Acquaviva (Canada) - John Larner (Indianapolis) - Johnny Fiasco (Chicago) - Jon Bishop (San Diego) - Jonn Hawley (Milwaukee) - Josh Wink (Philadelphia) - Joshua aka Iz (San Francsico) - JT Donaldson (San Franacisco) - Junior Boys (Los Angeles) - Junior Sanchez (New York) - Justice (France) - Justin Long (Chicago) - Juju (San Francisco) - Karl Almaria (Chicago) - Kaskade (San Francisco) - Keoki (New York) - Kevin Sanuderson (Detroit) - Kimball Collins (Orlando) - Lady D (Chicago) - Lawnchair Generals (Seattle) - Lee Morimer (UK) - Lego (Chicago) - Limewax (UK) - Louis Osbourne (UK) - LTJ Bukem (UK) - Luke Solomon (UK) - M.A.N.Y. (Germany) - Marc Houle (Germany) - Magda (Canada) - Marcus Intalex (UK) - Mark Almaria (Chicago) - Mark Farina (San Francisco) - Mark Grant (Chicago) - Marques Wyatt (LA) - Mastiksoul (Portugal) - Matthew Dear (Detroit) - Mazi (Chicago) - MC Armani (UK) - MC Conrad (UK) - Metro Area (New York) - Micha Klang (Germany) - Michaek Meyer (Gemrnay) - Mickey Finn (UK) - Micro (New York) - Mike Dearborn (Chicago) - Miles Maeda (Tokyo) - Miss Honey Dijon (NY) - Mixin Marc (Chicago) - Moodymann (Detroit) - Motor (UK) - Mr. Scruff (UK) - MSTRKRFT (Canada) - Natural Rhythm (Los Angeles) - Nephets (Chicago) - Nick Nice (Madison) - Nigel Richards (Philadelphia) - Nique (Chicago) - No Assembly Firm (Chicago) - Noel Sanger (Orlando) - Nosia (Belgium) - Olivier Desmet (SF) - Para One (Gemrnay) - Paul Anhony (Chicago) - Paul Johnson (Chicago) - Paul Van Dyk (Germany) - Peter Hook of New Order (UK) - Phantom 45 (Chicago) - Porta Surreal (New York) - Prototype 909 (New York) - Psychbitch (Chicago) - Q Burns (Orlando) - Raoul Belmans (Belgium) - Real World Cast (USA) - Reid Speed (New York) - Richard Humpty Vission (LA) - Richard Les Cres (New Jersey) - Ritchie Hawton (Canada) - Rithma (Los Angeles) - Ryan Dunn (Philadelphia) - Santiago & Bushido (Chicago) - Sharem Jay (Germany) - Shy FX (UK) - Slater Hogan (Indianapolis) - Slum Science (UK) - Sneak (Toronto) - Sombionx & Lindsay (Chi) - Soul System (Fox Valley Area) - Sound Navigators (Milwaukee) - Sound Republic (Chicago) - Spank Rock DJs (Baltimore) - Speedy (Las Vegas) - Speedy J (Neatherlands) - Spettro (San Antonio) - Stacey Pullen (Detroit) - Stacy Kidd (Chicago) - Stanton Warriors (UK) - Steve Bug (Germany) - Steve Melvage (Chicago) - Steve Smooth (Chicago) - Steven Kaye (Milwaukee) - Style of Eye (Belgium) - Surgeon (UK) - Super Pitcher (Germany) - Swayzak Sound Sys. (Germany) - Swirl People (Belgium) - Switch (UK) - Tech Itch (UK) - Teri Bristol (Chicago) - Terry Mullan (San Diego) - The Juan Maclean (New York) - The Littlemen (UK) - The Rapture (NY) - Tiefschwarz (Germany) - Tiffinay Holiday (LA) - Tittsworth (Baltimore) - Todd Edwards (New Jersey) - Tok Tok (Germany) - Tommie Sunshine (New York) - Total Science (UK) - Tortured Soul (New York) - Translucent (Chicago) - Traxx (Chicago) - Troy Pierce (Germany) - Troydon (New York) - Uberzone (Los angeles) - Vicious Vic (New York) - Wally Callerio (Los Angels) - Woody McBride (Minneapolis)
Sounds Like: Chicago House
Record Label: Neighborhood House Watch / Potty Mouth Music
Type of Label: Indie