Music is not optional for Rowie, nor is dancing for the club goers who fill the floor at the many residencies and festivals this methodically captivating spinner plays. 

In fact, in the seven years since the talented DJ first played his maiden professional gig, there’s been an indefinable magnetism that’s drawn beat geeks and party kids alike to the dancefloor. It’s a deft talent that’s seen him entrenched as one of Melbourne’s A-list DJs, and a prodigious industry all-rounder whose drive and passion to cultivate quality, hip-shaking fun ensures his popularity continues to snowball.
Indeed, it’s a sonic obsession that began at birth and began to germinate when the man known as James Rowe on his school report turned 17 and got his first big break in the music industry. Displaying the self-motivated drive that’d become his hallmark, he began a two year work experience stint with national youth radio station Triple J that’d see him involved in live recordings and broadcasts of everything from the Falls Festival, to Offshore and the station’s popular Live At the Wireless specials. Soaking up industry experience like a sponge, Rowie worked alongside respected producers/engineers Tony Cohen (Cold Chisel, Cruel Sea) and Chris Thompson (ARIA winning Augie March sound engineer) as his recording knowledge blossomed.

To further cultivate his growing passion, Rowie completed a Sound Production course at RMIT in 2000, which led to a two-year stint working at celebrated recording studio Duffield Kenihan (co-owned by Andrew Duffield, keyboardist for legendary Australian rock outfit, the Models).

But Rowie’s passion for music extended far beyond that of a mere studio-head. Enter mentalist Melbourne clubbing institution Revolver and party-starting local innovator Boogs. Losing his dancefloor shit to the seminal spinner every Sunday morning was all the encouragement Rowie needed to dive headlong into his new passion.

With dex and vinyl now dominating his mindset, and inspired by Boogs’ ability to subvert house music’s status quo by incorporating electro, techno and floor-grooving bootlegs and accapellas into the mix, Rowie’s natural ear for music saw DJing opportunities click into place. 

In 2002, despite spinning house, Rowie scored his first professional gig at Seven’s long-running break nights Fractured. A natural with a pair of 1200s, his performance impressed the heads and a residency at famous Melbourne club onesixone soon followed. And you better believe he was on his way.

What’s followed since, is testament to his unrelenting passion for quality dance music and desire to share it with Melbourne’s world-class clubbing community. In late 2003 he took over running Chapel Street’s Blue Bar every Sunday, turning it into a weekend haven for local party heads and a southside institution that’s still going strong to this day. In 2004, staying true to his fun-loving approach to DJing and promotion, Rowie also kickstarted Bamboozled, a monthly series of costume parties, hosted at both Platform One and onsixone, with the events showcasing Boogs, Spacey Space and Tahl, alongside quality internationals Ewan Pearson and Mike Monday.

All the while, Rowie’s DJing stocks ballooned. Across three dex and FX, the dynamic spinner mixes up a storm, throwing down a fierce alchemy of beats, capable of spanning everything from house, techno, electro, soul, funk and disco. It’s this versatility that’s seen him support everyone from Norman Jay, to Jungle Brothers, Trentemoller, Teifschwarz and Perry Farrell, among countless others.

On the club front, he’s moved dancefloors at Revolver, Room 680, Electric Ladyland, Tramp, Cushion Lounge, Republica – St Kilda Seabaths, Boutique, Valve and currently holds residencies at onesixone, Q Bar, Circus, Platform One and of course Blue Bar. 

Well entrenched as one of Melbourne’s favourite DJs, he’s in high demand on the festival circuit too, dropping his patented brand of bouncy tech house at Sensation, Two Tribes, Future Music Festival, Kiss My Grass, Summadayze, Beats On The Beach (Byron Bay) and Trance Energy over the years. Join him on the dancefloor and see why everyone from respected tech house jock Alex Kid, to former Andy Cato (Groove Armada) collaborator Mike Monday are singing his praises.
To find Rowie on FACEBOOK... search by email "rowiej@gmail.com"