Recently, the Cola & Lollipops angel crew and love patrol had a chance to catch up with Jim Carson and ask him some interview questions so that the public could get to know him more and reveal some deep insights into the man behind the music.
It went a little something like this...
Interviewer: So, Jim, you run Cola & Lollipops and produce most of the music on the label under different aliases including Ganesha Cartel, OM Daddy, idtfkngno, and DADDY COLA, how do you do it and still balance a regular social life and family life?
Jim Carson: Well, there are 24 hours in a day, 5 to 8 hours of sleep, it is up to us how we choose to spend the rest of that time, I choose to focus on making music as much as I can and I only create when the inspiration strikes (which happens to be quite often), but really, anyone can do it with enough practice, determination, and drive. Once you get into the groove of working inside a DAW it becomes second nature and the rest is guided by spirit.
Interviewer: You mentioned "spirit," are you a spiritual man?
Jim Carson: I've studied a lot of shamanism and I am trained hypnotherapist which involves a lot of spirituality and faith and belief if you practice it the way I do and I was a Kundalini Yoga & Meditation teacher for over 10 years. I have played guitar and drums at various churches since I was in high school. Before I got into dance music I played drums at the local church and then later started playing bass and guitar with local punk bands. We played around Los Angeles and Chinatown a lot. Since I was 5 years old I have been having mystical experiences with hummingbirds and other animals and other fascinating phenomena.
Interviewer: What are you 5 favorite house & techno tracks?
Jim Carson:
Human Resource - Dominator (1991)
Outlander - The Vamp (1991)
Basco Vs. The Electroliners - The Beat Is Over (Everything's Gone To The Beat) (Original Mix) (1996)
Rebirth - Pure (1994)
Joey Beltram - Energy Flash (1990)
I would have to say I love these classics the most. You can't really go wrong with these. These are instant party starters.
Interviewer: What is your favorite venue to play at and why?
Jim Carson: I would have to say anywhere where people are having fun and having a good time. However, if I only had to choose one venue, I would have to go with Avalon in Hollywood which used to be called The Palace. It is an iconic venue and historical site. I mean, Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe used to go there, anybody that is anybody in Hollywood has performed there or at least walked through those doors. I have so many great memories playing there and both attending shows and concerts. I saw everyone from Green Day to Blink-182 to Beck to the Beastie Boys there. I played for After Hour Power there on the terrace and headlined for Chemistry LA many times on the mainstage. One of my favorite gigs was closing for Chemistry LA and dropping a lot of insane BK (Ben Keen of Tuff London and Nukleuz Records) and Nick Sentience tracks. This was back when I played UK Hard House and Trance and the energy was just on fire. People were having a blast and I had 20 people rush up on stage behind me to rock out, we were all feeling it! There is no place to play like Avalon. Even though I was a resident for Circus Hollywood and it was a great DJ booth and stage, Avalon is just the crème de la crème.
Interviewer: What's your least favorite part of being a DJ and producer?
Jim Carson: You have to love it all and be two feet in or this industry will eat you alive. A lot of DJs and producers don't like the politics, I understand that, everyone should get a fair shot to play and shine. However, politics are unfortunately a necessary evil of the industry and they serve to maintain alliances and brotherhood and sisterhood among certain factions of the industry. If there were no politics then Cola & Lollipops and Anahata Love Recordings would cease to exist and its fabric would be torn. We need political, social bonds, economic bonds, spiritual bonds, and familial bonds to keep the machine going. I consider Cola & Lollipops a family, and a part of that family are the artists like Nico Salazar, DJ MOTA (US), Jesse Outlaw, Tony Largo, Thumper, and Joey Avila. Family will have disagreements from time to time and may not talk to each other for awhile, but at the end of the day, it is all love and respect for one another because we are struggling in one way or another and it is our responsibility to lift each other up when one our brothers is down.
Interviewer: What is your favorite part about being a DJ and producer?
Jim Carson: My favorite part about being a DJ and producer is creating from a blank canvas as a producer. As a DJ I love the surprises and way different frequencies and keys interact with each other on the XDJs. However, since I have become a proficient producer, it has been all about starting from scratch and building or constructing a track out of nothing to something really great. Sometimes I will have an idea in my head of what I want but most of the time I just sit down and see where the spirit guides me. I am a channel for higher consciousness and love. So that is something that cannot be planned or regimented. That's is something that just comes through naturally on its own and evolves as you refine the sounds and hear or see the progression in your head and decide where you want to end up at. It is exploration and adventure. There is no better job than being a music producer. It is the greatest job in the world. I thank God to my friend Jean-Pierre for introducing me to the Beastie Boys at age 9 or 10 or whatever and seeing Rick Rubin in the video for "You've Got to Fight For Your Right to Party" that would plant the seed of becoming a music producer and always carrying that B-boy spirit with me throughout life. I remember that being the moment of inception that this life was what I was meant to do. You know before being introduced to all the house music producers out of New York at Strictly Rhythm like Little Louie Vega and Erick Morrillo, there was Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons, that served as moguls and inspirations to look up to since they managed so many great acts. I believe it was Rick Rubin that produced the Beastie Boys with just a simple MPC with no reverb and very minimal effects. That album "Licensed to Ill" still stands the test of time as one of the greatest albums to ever be produced. A hybrid of both rock and hip hop, it was truly revoluntionary and cutting edge. I think maybe that is why I like to blend genres so much and not stick to the rules set forth by the industry and music production schools.
Interviewer: What's next for you down the road in 2025 and beyond?
Jim Carson: Most of all I see a lot of gigs, whether that is in the UK, Spain, Thailand, Vietnam, I hoping we get some attention and garner some bookings with all the success we have been having on the Beatport charts. I see a lot of new production. Ableton Live is like my girlfriend. And I see a lot of parties and club gigs happening. I have slowed down on those since 2020 hit after playing 5-7 shows a week minimum for nearly 20 plus years. I didn't figure out production until 2017 when I launched Anahata Love Recordings. I was always a good producer, I just didn't know I could outsource mixing or mastering. I had a ton of great tracks I could have released from 2003 to 2017 had I known better and had a mentor, but I was essentially on my own when it came to production besides my friend Chris who helped guide me a little bit. 2017 is when I started having my recordings mastered and that is when I leveled up. I self-hypnotized myself to finish tracks and release only high quality material. But that is looking back, I want to look forward. The productions are so good right now if I may say so without sounding too uppity. I feel really happy with them. They are just an expression of my soul and my heart. I cannot get enough of them and I am happy with the team I have surrounding me. We just released the "Cola & Lollipops - Best of 2024 - House Music" compilation https://www.beatport.com/release/cola-lollipops-best-of-2024-house-music/4770834and it has been charting all over the Top 10 of Beatport releases from the #10 position all the way up to #2. I am grateful for any Top 10 position and thank my friends and family for supporting because it gets the music out to a wider audience and shows that they appreciate and love us.
Interviewer: You talk a lot about "love" and your first record label was named "Anahata Love Recordings," what does the word "love" mean to you?
Jim Carson: Great question! The anahata chakra is the fourth chakra in Hinduism and Buddhism that is depicted by the color green and is located as an energy center at the heart center. This rules your compassion, self-love, joy, and capacity to love others. I knew not everyone in the United States would know what it meant without looking it up so I added "love" to the name of the record label. There are seven different types of love. Not everyone knows that and it shows with the younger generations assuming that when someone says, "I love you," they are talking about romantic love or eros love. There is agape love (universal love) and 5 others as well. So 7 different types of love can lead to misunderstandings if you don't know which love someone is talking about - there is "Eros – Romantic, Passionate Love (Of the Body)," "Philia – Affectionate, Friendly Love," "Storge – Unconditional, Familial Love," "Agape – Selfless, Universal Love," "Ludus – Playful, Flirtatious Love," "Pragma – Committed, Long-Lasting Love," and "Philautia – Self Love." When I am referring to love I am mostly referring to Agape love and that is how the record labels were born out of even though they may have elements of Eros, Ludas, Philia, Pragma, and Philautia love.
As it says in our bio for Anahata Love Recordings, "Anahata Love Recordings is dedicated to delivering the finest in big room house music, funky breaks, and deep house (jazzy, tech, tribal, ethnic, Eastern, progressive, funky, and whatever moves you). We believe in sharing heart-centered grooves, feelgood vibes, and uplifting energy. Located in Los Angeles, CA, USA, with roots in San Francisco, Bali, & Thailand; we believe home is where the heart is. House Music is our home and deep inside our hearts. House music brings us joy, bliss, natural ecstasy, and elation. We elevate to the beats as our souls connect to the rhythm, the bass, and tribal drums. Anahata Love Recordings was founded by OM Daddy (formerly DJ Jim Carson & Dharam Deep) who was quickly joined by a prolific roster including Paris' Jerome Zambino and Denver's Riche Stanley. Inspired by the LA, Chicago, & SF warehouse music scenes & travels to Bali, Hawaii, Miami WMC, & Thailand, Anahata Love brings deep, jazzy, progressive, soulful, sexy, tribal, tech, energizing, soothing, and uplifting vibes."
For Cola & Lollipops, I wanted to take it to the next level and add a deeper touch of professionalism and a classic sounding, timeless sound to the label, so we adjusted our bio and mission a little bit to state, "Cola & Lollipops is classic, timeless dance music - house, funky house, jackin' house, tech house, progressive house, techno, & more. Established in 2020 by Jim Carson, founder & CEO of Anahata Love Recordings, who also produces under the names OM Daddy, Ganesha Cartel, Pinkman & Heisenberg, Dharamdeep, & Pablo Pezcobar. Cola & Lollipops Radio podcast also launched in late 2020 in addition to Jim Carson hosting a weekly radio show podcast on Substation.ONE "United We Dance" entitled "Bangkok Bass." Cola & Lollipops is an institution for timeless, classic sounds while maintaining a forward future attitude & modern, warm, contemporary analog sound. Cola & Lollipops pays respect to "The Ghosts of Thailand" and the "City of Angels" while broadening its horizons worldwide with Grammy-sounding recordings which can be found playing in the discos, festivals, and nightclubs of Italy, Spain, Denmark, London, New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bangkok, Shanghai, Bali, Tokyo, Berlin, Croatia, Serbia, Moscow, Amsterdam, & beyond all borders by all the biggest names & DJs in dance music. 5D & 7D music for your 3D-4D reality. This is Cola & Lollipops."
Interviewer: Well, you have certainly accomplished that. People are loving your song "House Music" and "House Music Saved Me," and "Hero's Journey" along with Nico Salazar's "Call My Name," everyone seems to have a favorite tune on the label and it is hard just choosing one track. In 2022, you really got things cooking when you started the alias "idtfkngno" and released the tracks "Jack," "Latinas," and "Disco Life." After almost 27 years of DJing and being in the music industry how do you stay motivated and still do it all?
Jim Carson: Well, this is just what I do. I don't really know what else I would be doing. I worked as a matchmaker for 3 years while building Cola & Lollipops and as soon as my 12-hour shift was over I would get straight to making music. Now that I am no longer doing that, I am mentoring and teaching music production classes to up and coming producers and seeing hypnotherapy clients for mindset coaching and improving their creativity and focus. It all ties in with the mission to make this world a better place and heal others and inspire them.
Interviewer: Thanks for taking the time out to meet with the angel crew and love patrol at Cola & Lollipops. Here's some cola and lollipops for meeting with us. Thank you for your service and being the big boss man that makes things happen around here.
Jim Carson: I couldn't do it without all of you and the artists on the label. So thank you and everyone else. It is a tough job, but somebody has to do it.
Interviewer: One last question, any new tracks you recommend right now?
Jim Carson: If you haven't picked up "Phuket Life," https://www.beatport.com/track/phuket-life/19509309 I strongly recommend doing so, and also "Reindeer at the Marriott," https://www.beatport.com/track/reindeer-at-the-marriott/19629433 both which can be found on the new compilation which is the best value with 73 tracks in total for only $16.99. The new compilation has two DJ mixes which I did myself that I think you will enjoy. It has a nice flow to it. https://www.beatport.com/release/cola-lollipops-best-of-2024-house-music/4770834
Also, Jim Carson "Real Real Love," has a super nice feel to it that you might enjoy - super funky, tribal, disco house that is right up my alley. Beatport has it here: https://www.beatport.com/de/release/real-real-love/4752940 and Apple has it here: https://music.apple.com/th/album/real-real-love-single/1770861242
Interviewer: You are the man, Mr. Carson! Thank you so much! Love those tracks as well. I have been rocking them all week long! I just got them and they are in my iTunes folder and playlist now.
Jim Carson: Yeah, I recommend downloading the tracks and then putting onto your Apple iTunes storage, streaming doesn't really help us artists as much and is basically a form of theft from artists who work hard on release tunes for the public. Please be mindful. Downloading and paying for music is the ethical and honest answer.
Interviewer: Well said, well, you can get all the latest Cola & Lollipops tracks here: https://www.beatport.com/label/cola-lollipops/84800 including a new single which came out yesterday called "Never Give Up." Thanks again and have a great weekend! Be safe! Much love!!!
Jim Carson is like a force of nature, like a hurricane, a tsunami of uplifting sounds and special treats to make your feet happy. You will be dancing for hours on end because this DJ came to party and make you dance. He is innit to to make the party the most memorable and epic experience you have ever had in your life. DJing since 1997, he keeps rising with Japanese spirit of Kaizen, and fine-tunes his skills and production like a ninja. Carson ages backwards as he has the stamina to spin marathon sets for 24 hours plus. He is the inventor of pimp house, a sexy fusion of funky house, nu disco, progressive house, breaks, and deep house. Pimp House is for pimp n’ hos, ravers, groovers, vibers, sexy ladies, college students, college graduates, and just house music lovers. Pimp House was invented in 2017 with the release of his single and remix album “Pimp Respect” on Anahata Love Recordings. The first DJ to play Pimp House was Holly Adams from KCRW and Santa Monica College - a Groove Radio and MARS-FM alumni who is infamous for her love of house music just the same as Carson. Book Jim Carson for your next event if you want Pimp House to elevate your party to the next level with uplifting sounds and impeccable programming and track selection. Be sure to follow on Resident Advisor https://ra.co/dj/jimcarson To book Jim Carson for your next event email directly for our booking agent at info@colaandlollipops.com
Commentaires