Jeffrey James
Jeffrey James is a singer/songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee.
He’s kicking off the new year with a new single titled “Downtown”. Produced by Dan Weller, the record is the first single of his upcoming project East London EP to be released in the next few months.
“I wrote "Downtown" about a time when my relationship was struggling and I wasn't sure if we were going to make it (thankfully, we did). It turns out our troubles were less about us and more about the people around us.” says James.
James toured with artists like X-Ambassadors, Rachel Platten and The Shadowboxers. His original music has been placed on Amazon Prime’s Jack Ryan, CBS’s The Red Line and Criminal Minds, CW’s All American and Showtime’s Shameless.
“Downtown” is now available worldwide.
Photo credit: Jacqueline Day
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
Hi! I’m Jeffrey James. An Indiana boy living in Nashville, TN. I sing pretty often and I write songs often. I then tend to sing those songs that I write! I just released one of those songs. It’s called Downtown, and it’s the first single off my upcoming, East London EP. Aptly titled because I spent a total of two months living and working in London (United Kingdom. Not London, Ohio) writing and recording new music!
"Downtown" is your new single. Could you describe us the songwriting/recording process? Who produced it?
Dan Weller produced and co-wrote Downtown with me. Along with Steve Battelle and an american songwriter named… Dan Weller. Seriously. I couldn’t make that up if I tried. The two Dans are guitar players. Dan Weller (UK/Producer) was a founding member of the prog-rock metal band Sikth, and Dan Weller (USA) tours with Florida Georgia Line. Steve comes from the British rock world. So, Downtown is what you get when you combine UK Rock, Country, and a Pop/R&B crooner. Lol. I wouldn’t have it any other way! Anyway, Dan (UK) and I went on to record the song at The Dairy Studios in Brixton, London. We spent a week in that studio, just working on Downtown and one other song from the EP. It was such a blast and I’m so happy with the outcome!
What's the inspiration behind this song?
I wrote "Downtown" about a time when my relationship was struggling and I wasn't sure if we were going to make it (thankfully, we did). It turns out our troubles were less about us and more about the people around us. Once we got some space from those poisonous friendships, we found ourselves again. It's amazing how easily our habits and emotions are influenced by our environment when we're not paying attention.
What do you like most about this single?
That bass! It starts immediately and sets the mood right away while pulling you in saying, “Listen up! I got some shit I want to talk about.” The choir gang vocals are also up there for me. I’d throw a 50 person choir on every one of my songs if it was appropriate.
What can you tell us about your upcoming project East London?
In 2018, I hadn't been feeling inspired by my art—like I couldn’t find my voice. And, for a while I'd been told that my music would connect well in the UK so I finally made some contacts in London and booked my flight. Some combination of me being in a new bustling city and working with people who had no preconceived notions about me (or my art) made for an amazingly inspiring trip. I stayed in Brixton for a bit, and then Dalston/Hackney for a while. Something about the east side of London spoke to me—between that and the people I was working with, the songs came easily and I found my voice again. Oddly enough, I live in East Nashville, as well—so I guess the east side is my thing? I picked the strongest songs from my first month long trip and immediately booked a second, month long trip to fully record with the three producers who helped write those songs.
How is it like to work with Jackson Dimiglio-Wood, Dan Weller, Dan McDougal and Geoff Swan?
Jackson, Dan W, and Dan M, are all killer producers in their own right. Also, they are way too cool for me. I mean, Dan McDougal plays drums for fucking Liam Gallager. Like, come on! And not only were they able to pull the best out of me in the studio, they brought their UK influences to my music while allowing the songs to sound like me. So even though they produced different songs, it sounds like one cohesive EP. And Geoff Swan is a master at mixing a record. He’s worked on tracks for Ed Sheeran, Charli XCX Future, and more, all out of his countryside house outside of London. Such a badass. I was honored to have him mix my songs.
Why did you pick "Downtown" as the first single?
I picked Downtown because I think it makes the strongest statement. Both musically and lyrically it’s big. And I wanted to start 2020 with a bang!
What did your time in London teach you as a songwriter?
There are no rules! I mean, that’s something I learned a long time ago about art. But it’s easy, especially in a songwriting town like Nashville, to get caught up in how a “good song” is written. But being in a different country with people who speak the same language but use different words and have a different perspective of the world was a great reminder that you can express a feeling a million different ways. And as long as it’s honest, people will get it.
Releasing new music can be a "scary" thing, what gives you the confidence to share your music with the world?
I’ve learned that I have to trust my own taste. The music I share with the world, especially Downtown and this new EP, is music that I would listen to even if I didn’t write it. That gives me the confidence to release it. “If I like it, someone else might, too.”
Why do you make music?
I’m not always great about expressing my emotions in general conversation and didn’t I journal or anything like that growing up. Songwriting was initially the only time I let myself think about what I was feeling and what is happening to me and around me. It’s still that for me. And I’ve always wanted/needed to perform (It’s my happy place). When I’m making music I feel a joy that I can’t experience any other way.
As an artist, what biggest struggles do you have to overcome?
Self-doubt. It’s an all encompassing and suffocating feeling that pops up when I least expect it. It can fuck right off.
What keeps you going?
The will to accomplish. I’m never satisfied.
What’s your favorite thing about making art?
The magic of it. When you are songwriting, or even recording, you are pulling sounds and words out of thin air. Then, all of a sudden, you have this thing that wasn’t there before. And the song lives all on it’s own. And then you get to do it all over again. There’s no better feeling.
Who’s helping you shape your artistry and career?
Jackson Dimiglio-Wood, Dan Weller, and Dan McDougal played a big party recently by producing the hell out of this EP. OneRPM is distributing the EP and helping me show it to the world! My music biz lawyer Kent Marcus has been with me for a long time and is a constant source of encouragement and an advice giver. My agent Justin Hill, at UTA, is a beast. Evyn Mustoe, my Nashville ASCAP rep, has been extremely instrumental in connecting me with anyone who will listen to my music. My publicist Ava, at Tallulah PR, is dope as hell. And my wife, Lizelle, is basically the silent partner in my career. Every decision I make and every song I write is influenced by her in one way or the other. Ok, I feel like I’m giving an acceptance speech.
What lessons did you learn since your very first release?
I’ve learned SO MANY lessons. The biggest of which is probably patience. Taking time to write that extra song that may turn out to be better than the rest. Or to wait till the right time to release your music.
Do you remember a specific moment in your life where music made a huge difference?
Coldplay's Viva La Vida made a huge impact on me the year it came out. I think I played it multiple times a day for months straight. It opened my eyes to what pop music could be and made me want to dance and fly like no song I’d experienced before.
How does it feel like to know that your music has a positive impact on people?
It’s pretty damn great. I got into music because it speaks to me like nothing else in the world. And it’s crazy to think the music I make could have that same impact on someone else. I hope it does.
Besides music, what are you passionate about?
I’m a not-so-secret musical theatre geek. I can’t get enough of it, and have even been helping to compose a musical on the side. I also love anything science fiction. I read only space operas and weird horror/fantasy novels (Isaac Asimov, John Scalzi, Neil Gaiman, etc.). The same goes for TV and Movies. NBA Basketball is my favorite sport to watch. I’m a Hoosier at heart, so I have to love Basketball.
As a human being, what do you want to accomplish?
First off, thanks for thinking I’m Human! The scientists on my homeworld will be happy that the experiment was a success! Seriously though, one of my main goals is to make music that I’m passionate about and that speaks to as many people as possible. Another is I want to see more of the world. I’ve gotten a taste of overseas travel these past couple years and I can’t get enough. Learning first hand about and experiencing other cultures helps me learn about myself and to grow. Ideally, I can do these two at the same time. Make music and travel around the world performing for anyone who will listen.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Coffee and Tequila (not necessarily in that order).
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