Originally from Portsmouth, then Matt James, cut his DJing teeth at venues such as The Dog (later renamed the Havana Bar) and the Citrus Bar, along with appearances at Murge club nights via a friendship and shared love of music with longstanding Portsmouth based DJ, Mr Foot.

After leaving to study Music in Hertfordshire in the early 2000s, Matt James then moved to London to set down new roots, playing a central part role the AYC (Adult Youth Club) collective, playing regularly at Derange and Demented warehouse parties. He was also active promoting and playing nights in and around Curtain Road, Brick Lane and Covent Garden. He started a regular show on London based radio station Pulse FM and through these various connections Matt James went on to DJ in Germany, Spain and Slovakia.

Around 2012 Matt launched the AIRecs (Animal Instincts Recordings) digital imprint, which saw around 10 releases before entering hibernation, as family and work life took over. Around this time Matt James, became Rough Control, which is now shortened simply to ‘RC’ (He’s not, he’s really very friendly…)

With solid roots in the sounds of Deep House, Chicago House and Detroit Techno, these past elements still have a big influence on the RC sound of today. However, whilst in London for over 20 years, RC started to diversify and you might now find, but not necessarily expect - anything from Latin, Afro, Reggae/Dub and Jazz/Funk influenced sounds, mixed in with all sorts of electronica. RC enjoys keeping his sets varied and broad, without subscribing to any genre. Keeping eclectic, electric and eccentric.