Aphex Twin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aphex Twin
James performing in March 2008
Background information
Birth name	Richard David James
Also known as	AFX Bradley Strider Caustic Window GAK The Dice Man Polygon Window Power-Pill The Tuss Phonic Boy on ...
Born	(1971-08-18) 18 August 1971 (age 53) Limerick, Ireland
Origin	Cornwall, South West England, United Kingdom
Genres	Electronic IDM techno acid ambient drill 'n' bass jungle experimental
Occupations	Musician record producer composer DJ
Instruments	Synthesiser piano turntables drum machine sequencer sampler laptop
Years active	1988–present
Labels	Warp Rephlex Apollo R&S

Richard David James (born 18 August 1971), known as Aphex Twin, is a British musician, composer, and DJ. He has been making electronic music since 1988. His unique music mixes many styles, like techno, ambient, acid, and jungle. He is seen as a pioneer in the intelligent dance music (IDM) genre. Many music journalists call James one of the most important artists in electronic music today.

James grew up in Cornwall, England. He started DJing at parties and clubs in the late 1980s. His first music release, Analogue Bubblebath (1991), quickly gained fans. He then started performing across the UK and Europe. In the same year, James helped start his own record label, Rephlex Records. His first album, Selected Ambient Works 85–92 (1992), became very popular.

James signed with Warp Records in 1992. He released popular albums like ...I Care Because You Do (1995) and Richard D. James Album (1996). He also had hit singles like "Come to Daddy" (1997) and "Windowlicker" (1999). These songs had famous music videos directed by Chris Cunningham, which made James known worldwide.

After his album Drukqs in 2001, James released music on his own Rephlex label for several years. In 2014, he released an album called Syro with Warp Records. This album won a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album. Since then, he has released more music, including the EPs Cheetah (2016) and Collapse (2018). In 2023, his song "Blackbox Life Recorder 21f" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Recording.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

James grew up in Cornwall. This picture shows Chapel Porth, which was featured on his 1993 album Surfing on Sine Waves.

Richard David James was born on 18 August 1971 in Limerick, Ireland. His parents were from Wales. He has mentioned that he had an older brother, also named Richard, who was stillborn. His mother used the same name for him because she found it hard to accept the loss. James grew up in Lanner, Cornwall, and went to Redruth School. He liked growing up there because it felt "cut off from the city."

As a child, James was interested in making sounds. He would play with the strings inside his family piano and take apart tape players. He said that at age 11, he won £50 in a contest. He made a strange noise using a Sinclair ZX81 computer, which normally had no sound. He bought his first synthesiser at age 12. He enjoyed electronics and would change old synthesizers to make new sounds.

James started making music when he was 14. Cornwall did not have many record shops, but it had a lively nightlife where acid house music was popular. James said he was making music similar to acid and techno years before he heard those styles. He then bought every record he could find in those genres. In his late teens, James started DJing at clubs and parties. He would play his own songs in his sets. From 1988 to 1990, he studied engineering at Cornwall College. A teacher said he often wore headphones and had a "mystique" about him.

Music Career Highlights

Early Releases and Rephlex Records

In the late 1980s, James was part of the party scene in Cornwall. He helped organize music events in secret places like coves and sand dunes. The first party he DJed at was in a barn in 1988. These events brought together local young people and travelers. They also held nights at small clubs in towns like St. Ives. James later called this scene the "best he's ever been involved in."

In 1989, James started DJing regularly at the Bowgie nightclub. There, he met Tom Middleton and Grant Wilson-Claridge. Middleton was impressed by James's music and played his tape for a party organizer. This led to James releasing his first record on Mighty Force Records. Wilson-Claridge also liked James's music. He suggested they use some money he had to start a record label to release it. So, James and Wilson-Claridge started Rephlex Records in 1991.

James's first release was the Analogue Bubblebath EP in September 1991. This EP was played on Kiss FM, a popular radio station in London. This gave him wide exposure in the dance music scene. The Guardian newspaper later called this release a key moment in dance music history. Renaat Vandepapeliere, head of R&S Records, heard the record. James visited him in Belgium with many cassette tapes of his music. They chose songs from these tapes for two records, including James's first album, Selected Ambient Works 85-92.

In 1992, James started performing at techno events in London. He released three Analogue Bubblebath EPs and other EPs under different names. He moved to London to study electronics at Kingston Polytechnic. However, he spent more time on his electronic music career.

Success with Selected Ambient Works

The first full Aphex Twin album, Selected Ambient Works 85–92, came out in November 1992. It featured music James made when he was a teenager. It was released by Apollo Records.

In 1992, James also released the EPs Digeridoo and Xylem Tube as Aphex Twin. "Digeridoo" reached #55 on the UK Singles Chart. Rolling Stone magazine later said it helped predict the sound of drum and bass music. That year, he also appeared on the Warp Records album Artificial Intelligence. This album helped create the genre known as "intelligent dance music" and launched the careers of artists like Aphex Twin.

In 1993, James released his first music on Warp Records: Surfing on Sine Waves and the EP Quoth, under the name Polygon Window. Later that year, the "On" EP entered the top 40 in the UK charts. James also went on several tours in 1993. He supported the Orb and joined the "Midi Circus" tour across the UK. He also toured the United States with artists like Orbital and Moby.

Warp Records released the second Aphex Twin album, Selected Ambient Works Volume II, in 1994. This album had a more ambient sound. It was inspired by lucid dreams and James's experience of synaesthesia (where senses mix, like seeing colors when hearing music). It reached number 11 in the UK charts. Other releases in 1994 included Analogue Bubblebath 4 and Classics, a collection of his earlier songs.

Mid-90s to Early 2000s: New Sounds and Videos

For his 1995 album ...I Care Because You Do, James used a picture of his own face on the cover. This became a common theme for his later releases. He asked classical-music composer Philip Glass to create an orchestral version of one of his songs, "Icct Hedral." This appeared on the Donkey Rhubarb EP. In the same year, James released the Hangable Auto Bulb EP as AFX. This helped start the drill 'n' bass music style.

Richard D. James Album, James's fourth album as Aphex Twin, was released in 1996. It used software synthesizers and unusual rhythms. Critics noted how James used elements of jungle music, mixing them with his own unique sounds. NME magazine named it one of the greatest albums of all time in 2003.

James gained more attention in 1997 with his Come to Daddy EP. The main song was meant to be a funny take on death metal. It had a very popular music video directed by Chris Cunningham. James later felt a bit unhappy about its huge success, saying, "This little idea that I had, which was a joke, turned into something huge." This was followed by "Windowlicker", another hit single with a famous music video by Cunningham. It was nominated for a Brit Award in 2000.

2001–2009: Drukqs and Other Projects

James performing in 2008

In 2001, Aphex Twin released Drukqs, a long experimental album. It featured complex computer programming and computer-controlled piano music. The piano song "Avril 14th" is one of James's most famous works. The album received mixed reviews. James said he released it quickly because he accidentally left an MP3 player with new songs on a plane.

In 2001, James also released the 2 Remixes By AFX EP. It had remixes of songs by 808 State and DJ Pierre. It also included a hidden third track with a SSTV image that could be seen with special software. In 2002, James was nominated for a Brit Award for Best British Male Artist. In 2003, Warp Records released 26 Mixes for Cash, a collection of James's remixes for other artists.

In 2005, James released a series of vinyl EPs called Analord under his AFX name. These were made entirely with old-fashioned analogue equipment. In 2007, he released two more records under the name the Tuss. People wondered if it was James, and it was confirmed in 2014. In 2009, digital versions of the Analord EPs were released with bonus songs. Richard later closed Rephlex Records.

In 2010, James said he had finished six new albums. In 2011, he performed a live tribute to Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki. He also performed at the Paris Pitchfork Music Festival.

2014–Present: Return and New Music

Street art promoting the Syro album in New York City.

In 2014, a rare 1994 album by James, under his name Caustic Window, became available. Fans started a Kickstarter campaign to buy the record and share copies.

Syro, the first Aphex Twin album since Drukqs in 2001, was released on 23 September 2014. It was promoted with graffiti, a blimp over London, and an announcement on the darknet.

In 2015, James anonymously uploaded over 230 demo songs to SoundCloud. Some of these songs were from the 1980s. He said he released them so his family wouldn't feel pressured to release his old music after he was gone. He still occasionally releases songs on that account.

On 23 January 2015, James released Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2. This album was made using robotic instruments, like a computer-controlled piano. On 8 July 2016, he released the Cheetah EP. It included a music video for "CIRKLON3 [Колхозная mix]", which was the first official Aphex Twin music video in 17 years. James performed in Houston, Texas, in December 2016, his first American show in eight years. He released a special vinyl record there. In 2017, he performed at the Field Day festival in London and released a limited EP called London 03.06.17.

Aphex Twin released an EP called Collapse on 14 September 2018. A promotional video for the EP was planned for TV but was released online instead. In September 2019, two more records were released at his live shows in London and Manchester.

In 2023, fans found a mysterious website hinting at James's return. His return was confirmed on 24 January 2023, as a headliner for the Field Day festival. At a show in Barcelona in June, a special vinyl record was released. Large QR codes with Aphex Twin designs were also seen, leading to an augmented reality app. On 21 June, James announced the EP Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / In a Room7 F760, released on 28 July.

The app was updated after the EP's release. Scanning the EP's artwork with the app showed 3D visuals and allowed playing the songs. On 19 August, James performed at Field Day and released another exclusive vinyl EP, London 19.08.2023. In September, a cassette combining the Barcelona and London releases was released at a show in Bristol.

On 18 June 2024, James announced an expanded edition of Selected Ambient Works Volume II. This re-issue includes two bonus tracks and was released on various formats in October 2024. On 17 December 2024, a surprise album called Music from the Merch Desk (2016–2023) was released. It featured music from his live performances.

Musical Style and Influences

AllMusic describes James as a "pioneer of experimental techno". He has "constantly pushed the limits" of electronic music. His work ranges from calm, peaceful ambient sounds to fast, intense acid techno. The Independent called him a "maverick" of 1990s electronic music. Fact magazine says James has "carved out his own space" in electronic music history. His unique melodies make him a definitive artist in the field. The Financial Times described James as a "musical maverick" who mixes different elements in surprising ways. He blends "hard beats and uncanny tones" with "difficult abstraction and populist melodies." Music writers have called him the "Mozart" of both techno and ambient music.

James did not have formal music training. He mostly taught himself. Before becoming a producer, he spent his teenage years changing analogue synthesisers. He became "addicted to making noises." He later became interested in listening to other people's music. James said he spent his early years "ignorant of music," except for acid and techno. He bought almost every record in those styles. He claimed to have made music similar to acid and techno before he even heard those genres.

In a 1993 interview, James said that not sleeping much influenced his music. He also claimed to have recorded over a thousand unreleased songs. He later said he experienced synaesthesia and used lucid dreaming to get ideas for his music. Some of James's early work was compared to Brian Eno's ambient music. However, James said he had not heard Eno's music before he started recording.

In 1993, Simon Reynolds noted that James had recently started exploring avant-garde classical and rock artists. These included John Cage, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Eno, Steve Reich, and Can. James said he spent a couple of years "catching up" on other music genres. In 1997, James said he liked "old tape and avant-garde music." He named works by Erik Satie, Drexciya, Ween, and Serge Gainsbourg as some of his favorites.

When James started making faster, jungle-inspired beats in the mid-1990s, he named Luke Vibert and Tom Jenkinson as influences. In 2014, James said that jungle music was "the ultimate genre" because the people making it "weren't musicians." He added that he could "nick things from them" for years. Along with Vibert and Jenkinson, James helped create the drill 'n' bass style. This style made elements of drum and bass even more extreme. James's Rephlex label also released music from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, which influenced him. In 2019, he said Kraftwerk was a major influence. He said he disliked "rock and roll" but liked Led Zeppelin for their "great breakbeats" and Pink Floyd for their psychedelic music. In 2011, he said he would like to work with Kate Bush.

Rephlex Records, co-owned by James, created the word "braindance" to describe Aphex Twin's music. The label said braindance "encompasses the best elements of all genres." This includes traditional, classical, electronic, popular, modern, industrial, ambient, hip-hop, electro, house, techno, breakbeat, hardcore, ragga, garage, and drum and bass.

James's music is often called "intelligent dance music" (IDM). This term became popular in the 1990s. It was used to describe the music of Aphex Twin and other artists on Warp Records' Artificial Intelligence Series. James commented on the IDM term in a 1997 interview:

I just think it's really funny to have terms like that. It's basically saying, "this is intelligent and everything else is stupid." It's really nasty to everyone else's music. (laughs) It makes me laugh, things like that. I don't use names. I just say that I like something or I don't.

Public Image and Other Names

James's face, often grinning or changed, is a common theme on his album covers, music videos, and songs. James said he started doing this because techno artists usually hid their identities. He wanted to do the opposite.

I did it because the thing in techno you weren't supposed to do was to be recognised and stuff. The sort of unwritten rule was that you can't put your face on the sleeve. It has to be like a circuit board or something. Therefore I put my face on the sleeve. That's why I originally did it. But then I got carried away.

The cover of ...I Care Because You Do has a self-portrait painted by James. Richard D. James Album has a close-up photo of his face. His face is also put onto other people's bodies in the music videos for "Come to Daddy" and "Windowlicker". In the song "Windowlicker", a photo of James's face is hidden in the sound, which can be seen using special software. Another image of James and Tom Jenkinson is hidden in the third song of 2 Remixes by AFX.

James has released music under many different names. These include AFX, Blue Calx, Bradley Strider, Caustic Window, GAK, Polygon Window, Power-Pill, The Dice Man, The Tuss, and user18081971. In 1997, he said there was "no big theory" behind it. He just chose names that felt right at the time. In 2001, he joked about how many anonymous electronic artists were thought to be him: "I'm practically everyone, I reckon—everyone and nobody."

Influence and Legacy

Journalist Paul Lester called James "the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music" in 2001. Rolling Stone described James as a "hugely influential electronic musician" whose music has inspired artists of all genres. AllMusic says James became a "genuine personality" known for his smile and music videos, as well as his groundbreaking albums. This helped him reach a wider audience, including rock fans. Many non-electronic musicians have said he inspired them.

In 2001, Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk said Aphex Twin, especially "Windowlicker", influenced their album Discovery. Artists like Skrillex, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Kevin Parker of Tame Impala have also expressed admiration for Aphex Twin.

James influenced Radiohead's move to electronic music for their 2000 album Kid A. In 2013, Radiohead singer Thom Yorke named Aphex Twin as his biggest influence. In 2002, James said he would not tour with Radiohead because he didn't like them. However, in 2011, James said his dislike was exaggerated by the press. He emailed Yorke to explain this.

In 2005, Alarm Will Sound released Acoustica: Alarm Will Sound Performs Aphex Twin. This album featured classical arrangements of James's electronic songs. The London Sinfonietta also performed arrangements of Aphex Twin songs in 2006. Animator David Firth has used Aphex Twin's music in his work. In 2012, Fact named Selected Ambient Works 85–92 the best album of the 1990s.

Personal Life

James has sometimes made unusual claims about his life in interviews. He once said he inherited the name of a dead older brother. He described himself as "just some irritating, lying, ginger kid from Cornwall." In a 1993 interview, he claimed to sleep only two to three hours a night. In the mid-1990s, James bought an old bank in London. He said he lived in a converted bank vault there. He also claimed to drive an old armored car around Cornwall instead of a regular car.

In a 2010 interview, James said he lives in Scotland. 2014, he lives in a village near Glasgow with his two sons and his second wife, Anastasia. His sister, Julie James, is a politician in Wales. In 2014, James mentioned that living in a small village can be challenging. He said, "You have to speak to everybody, and everybody knows your business." He also said he does not own a smartphone.

Awards and Nominations

Discography

Studio albums as Aphex Twin

• Selected Ambient Works 85–92 (1992)
• Selected Ambient Works Volume II (1994)
• ...I Care Because You Do (1995)
• Richard D. James Album (1996)
• Drukqs (2001)
• Syro (2014)

See Also

In Spanish: Aphex Twin para niños

• List of ambient music artists