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James, aka SYMO: Cultivating Joy And Sharing it With an Audience
- Andrew Munnik
- Aug 28
- 4 min read
If you’ve been in the Cape Town music scene lately, you’ve certainly heard tell of SYMO, a fresh voice staking his claim in venues across the city at an outstanding pace.
Known for bouncy performances of both original and curated sets, SYMO is a DJ, producer, and instrumentalist with an infectious sense of presence. His style, crafted over a lifetime of musical appreciation, is a dark and groovy Techno, using minimalism and sensuality to keep you moving. This has led to a fast yet dedicated following, with people all over town sharing in SYMO’s captivating sense of joy.
SYMO: A Lifetime of Musical Appreciation
Music is ingrained in SYMO’s body. Coming from a family of music lovers, his grandmother was his first teacher. It was through her that he learned to appreciate music- but not just the music itself.
He found sharing music to be a beautiful thing, carrying this through into his life. Jam sessions with friends drove him to chase after the sound, until finally, he found a home in Techno.
Of all electronic music, Techno speaks to SYMO the most. We all carry tensions around with us- tensions that settle on our shoulders in our daily lives, weighing us down.
Something in Techno, however, disturbs that tension. When the speakers boom with dark, groovy tracks, there’s something that happens in the crowd, letting everybody shake off their weights and throw themselves around.
This drove SYMO to seek out a path where he could share this love of Techno. He felt compelled to engage with this community that loves to skit, and after years of attending all the parties, he knew it was time to take the next step.
A Community That Loves to Skit
SYMO first picked up a deck for himself in late 2019, teaching himself to use it through hours of practice and tinkering. He was lucky, surrounded by established names who could give him critical pieces of advice, always able to approach them with informed questions. His timing, however, was not so lucky. COVID struck soon after he started his journey.
But a lifetime of musical love doesn’t just go away. With time on his hands, SYMO ingrained himself even deeper into the music-making process, emerging from lockdown as a powerhouse DJ and producer. With a community around him and a passion for shared joy, SYMO exploded onto the scene and has been captivating audiences across the country ever since.
After years of supporting his friends as they rocked South African stages, SYMO joined them. When he steps onto the stage, he brings that pure joy he’s experienced all these years, flooding the audience with dark vibes and good times.
Dark Vibes and Good Times
Throughout his time on the deck, SYMO has enjoyed several residencies at prestigious venues, playing on stages such as Modular, Xone and the legendary Earthdance festival. Some stages are larger than others, but whatever the size of the crowd, SYMO is up on stage jamming out, giving it that same fiery energy he’s known for.
Of all these experiences though, he holds one in the highest regard, remembering it fondly as one of his greatest achievements. Opening up Teknotribe’s celebrated Twilight Festival, SYMO was able to bring the dancefloor to life.
When he began, the crowd was mulling around, talking or getting food. By the time he finished, they were joined together in the music, letting go of everything to get lost in the sound.
It’s exactly this legacy of sharing joy that SYMO wants to leave, infusing passion into each track and every set. He has big plans in the years to come, but whatever stage he finds himself on, you’re sure to see James jamming out to the music- maybe even harder than anyone else.
Big Plans In The Years To Come
SYMO will always make music- it’s infused into his very core. In the years to come, be sure to keep an eye on his Soundcloud profile, as well as any other platforms he produces through. Working with IMPRINT, 2025 promises to be a year of more for this hungry young DJ- more gigs, more people, more music and more SYMO. Making music from nothing is a lengthy process, but he is happy to sacrifice his time in pursuit of the perfect sound.
He won’t be going at it alone, however. Those friends who gave SYMO the guidance he needed to reach his heights are now his contemporaries.
From the loudest voice in the crowd, he has stepped up onto the stage, playing incredible sets alongside some long-time mates.
Whether it’s alone or with another though, SYMO always brings his signature energy and love for the sound. Keep an eye out for SYMO’s name as you head into your next festival season- in fact, keep an eye on international seasons, as well. With his eye on the biggest of stages, SYMO is bound for great feats, especially if his track record is anything to go by. In less than five years, he’s gone from a lifetime music lover to a thriving, energetic DJ- few can predict what the future will hold.
Sometimes, with all the lights and sound, you forget yourself and let the music guide your vibe. With SYMO behind the deck, you can be sure that the process will be smooth and groovy, and the vibe that follows will be dark and infused with joy. Inspired by the very people who helped to guide his journey, SYMO is powering through the hottest of Cape Town stages, with his infectious joy and energy leading the way for his audiences. If you’re ever unsure of a night out and see SYMO step onto the stage, you’re going to struggle to keep the smile from your face.