James Walsh is known for his lyricism, incredible songwriting, and vocals as frontman for alternative-Britpop quartet Starsailor. Releasing his debut solo album Lullaby back in September of last year, and his EP Time Is Nigh earlier this year, we were pleased to catch up with James to talk about 10 year adventures, favourite lyrics, driving licenses, and Time Is Nigh!
AMBY: Hello James! Thanks for having a chat with AMBY, what have you been up to lately?
James Walsh: I’ve been touring a lot recently playing Hyde Park with Bon Jovi and in Germany with Sting and working on co writes with various people. All exciting stuff but I don’t like to blab until its definitely going on the record. High profile artists get to work with a lot of great writers so theres tough competition.
AMBY: You have recently released your latest EP, Time Is Nigh. What were some of the highlights while recording it?
James Walsh: I think recording ‘Summer Dress’. Its a really simple,succinct little song and came together very quickly.
AMBY: What do you consider the best lyric you’ve written?
James Walsh: That’s a tough one. ‘If it wasn’t for the good souls life would not matter’ is a good one and resonates with a lot of people. Of the new ones ‘Precious stolen moments are all we ever share. But that’s all we need enough to believe the magic is still there’.
AMBY: Who influences you as a songwriter and musician?
James Walsh: My wife and kids are a massive influence on my songwriting. Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen are huge influences too. I love Bob Dylan,Lenard Cohen but I feel their style of writing is a bit out of my reach. I’m not suggesting I’m as good as Bruce or Van either but I can at least have a good go and write from a similar viewpoint.
AMBY: Which three of your songs are quintessential James Walsh?
James Walsh: ‘Summer Dress’,’Start Again’ and ‘Love Is Here’
AMBY: Who would you like to be most and least stuck in an elevator with?
James Walsh: Most like to be stuck in an elevator? Chris O Dowd or Whitney Cummings. Both would keep us laughing. Being stuck in an elevator with Katie Hopkins or Kelvin Mackenzie would be horrendous wouldn’t it?
AMBY: What would you consider some of your favourite career moments so far?
James Walsh: Best career moments were getting that all important record deal with Starsailor that was the start of a 10 year adventure,playing with u2 at Stad De France in Paris and more recently having top 10 albums as a writer in different countries. (in Holland with Ilse De Lange and Ireland with Bressie most recently)
AMBY: Which three albums changed your life?
James Walsh: 3 albums that changed my life Grace-Jeff Buckley Astral Weeks-Van Morrison Parklife-Blur
AMBY: What do you do outside of music for fun?
James Walsh: I love Liverpool FC and attend as many games as I can. I also like swimming. I enjoy spending time with my kids of course. They make me laugh a lot.
AMBY: What has you excited for 2013?
James Walsh: I’m excited about finally getting an album ready. Its been a long process! I’m also excited about some of the artists I’ve worked with releasing stuff too. Fingers crossed.
AMBY: If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
James Walsh: Another huge question! The biggest injustice in the world is that a tiny percentage have all the money and the resources. There should be more opportunities for people to get out of the situation they are in.
AMBY: And last but never least, what’s something about James Walsh that nobody knows?
James Walsh: One thing about me that nobody knows. Mmmm. Despite being 33 years old I don’t have a driving license and have never taken a lesson. I’m impractical and llogical when it comes to anything except music. I would infuriate other drivers by going to slow and losing my way. Best kept off the roads I think.
***
Thank you James, for giving us your answers!
Alicia Atout