A Story of Sound and Emotion — Local Artist, JUST JAMES
- Christina Setliff
- Dec 1, 2025
- 7 min read
Written and Published By X
Featured Photo by Kyle Ryan
Some stories are told through words, others through sound. For James Flanders, better known as JUST JAMES, music became the language he didn’t know he needed.
Based in Philadelphia, JUST JAMES has carved out a sound that blends Melodic Bass, Future Bass, and Dubstep, creating an atmosphere that’s both emotional and electrifying. His music lives between feeling and energy, where emotion meets movement and every sound tells its own story.
With recent support from Marshmello & Martin Garrix, JUST JAMES is really starting to see things come together for his project. We sat down with him to talk about where it all began, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and what keeps him chasing the sound that first pulled him in.
How and when did your journey in music begin?
For JUST JAMES, music started long before the first drop. Growing up surrounded by sound, it became a part of his world early on through concerts, festivals, and a home that was always playing music. “My journey began at a young age! My parents love music & it was constantly playing in my childhood home. From as early as I can remember they were taking me to concerts and festivals. This all helped me grow a deep love of music. Fast forward to college graduation, I was out of school starting a job in finance. Feeling a bit lost, I reflected on how much music had always meant to me and deep down how much I wanted to pursue it in some fashion. It was then I started to teach myself the basics of music production. Coming home from work and diving in every day.” That spark grew quickly into something bigger, what began as curiosity turned into purpose.
What inspired you to start producing music?
Sometimes inspiration shows up in a single moment that changes everything. For JUST JAMES, that moment happened at a festival. “When I was 16 I went to Firefly Music Festival. I got to see my first ever DJ set there from Calvin Harris. That experience stuck in my mind for a long time. I couldn’t help but think, damn, I’d love to be up there doing the same thing one day. Around that time I got into Porter Robinson and Flume as well. Their music captivated me. It made me feel alive. I couldn’t help but think how great it would be to bring that same experience to others through my own music. Between the live experience and getting into those artists, I knew I wanted to produce my own stuff.” That memory still fuels him, the feeling of being part of something bigger than himself.
How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard your music before?
His music isn’t just heard, it’s experienced. “Immersive and spacey!! My favorite music makes me feel like I’m transported to a different world. I try to channel that in what I make.” It’s emotion layered with energy, a sound that feels like movement and memory at the same time.
What were some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your music career? How did you overcome them?
The biggest obstacle for many artists isn’t outside noise, it’s internal. “Doubt is a tough obstacle to deal with. There are times I’ve doubted the quality of my music and doubted if I’ll really be able to make it as an artist. During these times I have to remind myself that I love music deeply. It’s not about the numbers, it’s not about going viral, it’s not about making a hit. It’s about the reason I started this project in the first place - a deep passion for music and sharing it with others. That is what’s really important. By having a deeper purpose I can lean on it in the times when doubt creeps in.” For JUST JAMES, staying grounded in that purpose is what keeps him going when things get heavy.
How did you transition from a hobbyist to a full-time artist?
Growth didn’t happen overnight. It was built through small, consistent steps that turned passion into progress. “Consistency is important! These things rarely happen overnight. Even your favorite artists, who may seem like they blew up suddenly, only did so because they put the work in beforehand. By showing up and working on music day after day I got a little bigger and a little better every day. It’s gotten me to where I am now and will continue to get me further with each passing day. That same idea applies to just about anything you’re trying to pursue.”
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
For JUST JAMES, pride comes in the moments that remind him of why he started. “There are a few I can think of, and I am lucky that they are continually happening. Recently Marshmello and Martin Garrix played out my “Save My Love” Remix at Red Rocks, which is absolutely surreal and a huge milestone for the project! But I have to mention another that happened early on, because it was a big moment for me when I still had a lot of doubt. I was about two years into releasing music and had a label release that did solid. I remember hopping onto Spotify for Artists and checking out where my music was being streamed. It hit me for the first time that there were people from all over the world listening to my music. And a lot of them!! That blew my mind. I literally cried (lol).” Seeing his sound reach people across the world became one of those moments that make all the late nights worth it.
Do you have a specific performance or project that you feel changed the course of your career?
There are moments that define direction. For JUST JAMES, it was a show that changed everything. “Back in 2021 I had my first gig at a nightclub, which was only my 2nd time ever DJ’ing for a crowd. I was opening for Malaa through a connection I made with a promoter (shoutout Ben Boudart for trusting me!). Originally I was slated to play the doors slot. About 2 hours before the show Ben calls me and says ‘look, you sold a lot of tickets, so I’m putting you on direct support, right before Malaa.’ I excitedly said yes but was also internally FREAKING OUT. I had never used CDJ’s, never played for more than 30 people, and never played at a venue. I was feeling a huge amount of pressure. That night I went out and played for a sold out crowd. Despite my nerves it ended up going extremely well, and was one of the best experiences I had had in my life up to that point. I barely remember parts of it (completely sober) because of how crazy the adrenaline was. I went home that night and cried (happy). That rush I felt and the incredibly positive experience I had solidified the fact that this was exactly what I wanted to do.” That night became the moment that turned confidence into conviction.
As an artist, what do you think is the biggest challenge when it comes to standing out in the industry today?
Balancing creativity with visibility is one of the hardest parts of being an artist. “It is vital to have a consistent social media presence if you want to grow as an artist. But many studies I’ve read point to social media use having a negative effect on mental health. This puts artists of all kinds in a tough spot. One of the things most vital to our careers is also generally detrimental to the way we feel. That paired with an extremely saturated, exaggerated, and inflammatory social media environment leads to a big challenge when it comes to standing out.” It’s a fine line between promotion and preservation, and one that James continues to walk carefully.
How would you say your sound has changed since your first release? What sparked that shift?
As his sound evolved, so did his energy. “Originally I was making Future and Melodic Bass. I’ve added harder Bass and Dubstep to the mix as well. The more I went to see shows the more I fell in love with the harder stuff live. The energy at those performances is absolutely bonkers. My new found love for heavier bass made me want to throw it into my own sets. I figured if I’m going to play it I should be making it as well!” That evolution became his signature, intensity mixed with emotion.
Have you ever experienced a creative block? How do you push through those moments to keep creating?
Every artist experiences it, but few talk about it honestly. “Creative blocks happen often and are a part of being an artist in any field. The biggest thing for me is to accept it and realize it is ok! The more I fight lack of creativity, the more it gets built up in my head, and the harder it will be to get out of. In times of creative blocks I make sure to focus on other things. Going out and experiencing life (without putting pressure on myself to create) is such a great way to find inspiration. Listening to my favorite music is always a great help for new ideas. Going on hikes and walks is also a great way to clear my head! At the end of the day creativity is a cycle. It comes and goes, but always comes back again, as long as you give it time. Trust that and it will!” Creativity, like music, moves in waves, and JUST JAMES has learned to trust its rhythm.
From a kid surrounded by sound to a full-time artist shaping it, JUST JAMES has built a story of persistence, emotion, and evolution. His music is a reminder that the most powerful art comes from honesty and from never losing sight of why you started.
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