James Dean, the Lost Idol, likes to think his unique and often unpredictable psychedelic downtempo sound stems from happy studio accidents. When it comes to making music, he gets his kicks from doing something different, paying little regard to fashion or formula. Thankfully others appreciated this attitude and enabled him to release early Lost Idol creations on pioneering independent label Pork Recordings. He then went on to channel his open minded ethos into the establishing of his own record label Cookshop with fellow conspirator Emily Cracknell (La Femme) back in 2002. Utilizing Cookshop as an unrestrictive vehicle he released a string of acclaimed headphone orientated releases of not only his own music, but also others who were righteously digging their own field.
Cut to the present day and Lost Idol has just released his debut album “Utters From A Cluttered Mind†on Cookshop to great acclaim. As cluttered as his mind may be, unfocused it is not.
Aside from his label and studio pursuits Lost Idol is an avid DJ and has played extensively over the UK and abroad spreading the Cookshop gospel, as well as recording DJ mixes for Ninja Tune’s Solid Steel show and Samurai FM . He also co-hosts the Morning Glory radio show weekly on Brighton’s Juice 107.2FM and online at Totally Radio .
"Lost Idol has an intuitive knowledge of the alchemical formulae that produce potent 21st century psychedelia" Mojo
"Beck remixed by DJ Shadow" IDJ
"Reminiscent of the atmospheric twinklings of the Cinematic Orchestra in places, and the mind-bending scuzzy sounds of Four Tet in others. Strange but beautiful" Notion
"In case you ever wondered how an Elliott Smith record could've sounded like if it would've been released on Mo Wax during its heydays, here's your answer" Lodown
"James Dean is his name, 60's revivalism his game" Q