INTERVIEW: Simon D James — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Simon D James

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I have been talking with Simon D James…

about his new single, My Everything, and what it is all about. He discusses what is coming up next and what sort of music he responds to; which three albums mean the most to him and what it was like recording at Leeds’ Greenmount Studios.

James recommends some rising artists to watch and tells me what his gig schedule is looking like; how he chills away from music and why he spent time in Mexico City selling coffee – the songwriter provides some useful advice for artists coming through.

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Hi, Simon. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi, Sam. I’m good, thank you. Hiding out in Brighton from the cold; rehearsing for some upcoming gigs and focusing on promotion for the new single.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I’m a Brighton-based singer-songwriter who likes to spend time in studios turning Folk songs into Indie tunes.

My Everything is your new song. Is there a tale behind it?

When you get that feeling that you are repeating similar situations in your life because you didn't quite get the lesson the first time; like the universe is a maths teacher and asking you to take resists. That, coupled with realising that all I am is good enough…

Is it true you spent time in Mexico City selling coffee?! What was the reason behind that?

I had an aversion to the dampness of the UK in my twenties, so I tried many scams and angles to make money in clement environments. Selling Coffee in DF was not my most profitable venture, but I did love my time in that city and it is where My Everything was first written.

What was it like recording in Leeds’ Greenmount Studios. Was there a reason for choosing that location?

I’m lucky to have come from a very musical family. Greenmount was a connection from my uncle, who runs a theatre in Leeds. He had worked with Jamie and Lee before and managed to get me a day with them. As far as I'm concerned, it was love at first site with Jamie and Lee and I quickly went back and recorded a bunch more songs that we are releasing at the moment.

Might we see more material next year do you think?

During the summer, I released an E.P., Songs from a Dream Long Forgotten, and now we have the single, My Everything, out on 5th November. My Everything will be on a four-track E.P. that I hope to have released in January and, in Feb, I'm back at Greenmount to record more.

Was your early life filled with music? Which artists did you follow when growing up?

The first band that changed my life was Nirvana. I got into them at about thirteen; from there my musical tastes grew and encompasses almost every genre.

Do you already have plans for 2019?

Release and record music - and we are currently booking gigs and festivals for the summer.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

My favourite moments in music are when I’m jamming with my friends; when everyone is rocking out. There is also something really special about being in a recording studio.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

As a teenager, my friends and I would smoke pot and listen to Abbey Road on-repeat. The entire album sometimes comes on in my mind and I can hear all the arrangements from start to finish whilst I’m going about my day.

Tom Waits’ Swordfishtrombones takes me to Art College and most days at some point a track from Off the Wall comes on and I have a little moonwalk around the kitchen.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

I guess I would most like to Radiohead - and I'm not fussy; I'm happy with most things.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Persevere.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

I have a show in London at the Underbelly on 7th November and check us out on social media to find out about all our other shows.