- Act Profile:
James Clay
- Genre:
- Acoustic
Great review of my album in this months R2 Rock & Reel magazine (WHsmith, HMV) take a look http://mobacousticrecordings.com/index.php/r2-rock-reel-review-34-of-james-clay-breaking-the-spell/
James Clay up close
Introduction
Great review of my album in this months R2 Rock & Reel magazine (WHsmith, HMV) take a look http://mobacousticrecordings.com/index.php/r2-rock-reel-review-34-of-james-clay-breaking-the-spell/
Bio
A great many singer songwriters will spend their lives working the 9 to 5. Somewhere between jobs, paying the bills and other life consuming activities they find time to write some of the greatest songs never heard. James Clay is one such singer songwriter. After pursuing the dream for 17 or more years James has had a small taste of success. Harley Davidson licensed a song for an advert, big hitters EMI, WEA, and Gut Records have attended many gigs by bands he has played with, he has recorded with some well-known producers including Gavin Monaghan (Scott Matthews, Editors, Robert Plant, Twang) and has had number one selling artist Toby Jepson (Little Angels) interested in working with him. James has also appeared in magazines both in the UK and USA with bands he has belonged to. He was about to hang up the guitar and the dream for good when he decided to give it one last shot at an open mic night. Breaking The Spell, The new album, is a collection of deeply personal songs. Not one to keep his views and opinions to himself Breaking The Spell is an out pouring of frustration at himself, the powers that be, large institutions , humanity and of course women. Musically, Breaking The Spell will sit comfortably next to Jackson Browne, Ryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Crosby Stills and Nash and Gillian Welch. In keeping with these influences the album is very raw and stripped down with only guitar, drums, bass and harmonica and very few overdubs.
Video
Q. How did you first get into playing music?
Mom and dad bought my sister a guitar when I was 9 and she didn't want it so I started playing.
Q. How long have you been performing?
Gigging non stop for 16 years
Q. How would you describe your sound in one sentence?
My music is a subconscious massage of the thoughts you haven't had yet.
Q. What makes your music unique?
What is unique? I like to think I'm improving on what has already been done. I have chosen my favorite genre and am trying my best to keep it alive by doing it better than any one else of the day.
Q. What inspires you to write songs?
well on my album the songs are inspired by the bankster crisis, being man or women enough to admit your wrong and that you can change your mind on things you have believed for ever, protest song against all the wars in the world, occultism and similar, my feelings that there will be a third world war soon, my girlfriend and a poem by Martin Niemoller "First They Came......"
Q. What have been your best and worst gig experiences?
5000 people at a great festival is the best. The worst is when I was younger pestering the hell out of the head of A&R at WEA and getting him to a gig and fucking the whole thing up, string breaks the lot.
Q. If you had to listen to one album for the rest of your life what would it be?
At the moment JACKSON BROWNE "FOR EVERYMAN" but if I smuggled another one on it would be "Crack The Skye" by Mastodon.
Q. What do you get up to when you’re not making music?
Relationship damage limitation.
Q. What are your goals at the moment?
To get my music to the thousands of people I know for sure would like it. And get back out their gigging.
Q. What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or gigs lined up?
I am releasing an album on 02/04/2012 titled "Breaking The Spell" a fantastic piece of work.
Q. What do you think of Unsigned Band Review?
New site looks amazing and functionality is great. I think you need unbiased "professionals" at your end rating the music so non muso's coming fresh to the site dont have to sift thru loads of bands they may not like. That way you become a resource for finding new music. I have been signed up for a while and have had no feed back or anything at all so not much. Now you have updated the site and I'm updating my profile hopefully something will come of it.
Q. What is the name of the last track that you wrote and what is it about?
I Wont Support Your Wars. Its an anti war / protest song
Q. What was the music scene like where you grew up?
It was great where I grew up inBirmingham. Sadly everywhere is closing down.
Reviews
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Still no Originality for me but I prefer this song to "When The Sun Doesn't Shine". This one is very slightly CSN&Y in vibe. It's technically accomplished and I wish him well finding his audience. There WILL be one, but I will not be among them.
Reviewed by
Simon Li
24 May 2012
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When the Sun Doesn't Shine - Proficient Country tinged Americana that, for me, is not working in Olympia. Not even a modicum of originality or surprise.
Reviewed by
Simon Li
04 April 2012
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