James Bay
James Bay
James Bayis a large body of water on the southern end of Hudson Bay in Canada. Both bodies of water extend from the Arctic Ocean, of which James Bay is the southernmost part. It borders the provinces of Quebec and Ontario; islands within the bayare part of Nunavut. The James Bay watershed is the site of several major hydroelectric projects, and is also a destination for river-based recreation. Several communities are located near or alongside James Bay, including a number...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionRock Singer
Date of Birth4 September 1990
CityHitchin, England
When I'm writing, I need to amplify my thoughts and feelings on just a conversation that I might have had with somebody - somebody close to me. It's often the case that the people closest to me are the people on my mind the most.
When I was 16, I spent a year pushing trollies around a car park, and that wasn't fun. I didn't love working in a supermarket; it wasn't for me. It is for some people, and that's totally cool.
When I was 15, if anything, I thought I was going to be a Delta bluesman, which is so ridiculous.
I write about personal experiences. I write about things that have happened to me and the people around me, so you just sort of keep this antenna up and on the lookout for things to say.
Some of my songs are about the feeling you belong somewhere else. But there's also something grounding about coming from a small town.
My songwriting process is painful. Songwriting is brilliant. It's a load of fun - when it works. It's really difficult as well.
My songwriting process, and maybe loads of other people's, is just this sort of smashing together of emotions and stuff to make some music. It's kind of simple and really complex at the same time and, as you can see, incredibly hard to explain.
Being exhausted is all part of the fun. I'm cool with it. I'm not going to wish that it would slow down.
I love the intimate, single spotlight, troubadour-y quiet, delicate moments. But I also love Springsteen and screaming and shouting.
How I set myself apart is by creating the sort of real and honest music, which is who I'm also trying to be.
I'm going to take each day and each thing and each gig as it comes at me.
I hope to have a long career, and I don't want to be defined by things that aren't the music.
I like it when things crescendo to a huge moment like 'Hold Back the River.'
I like drawing people in the airport or on the bus or in venues. I like catching people in the moment. It's a similar inspiration for me in terms of songwriting.