James Barker Band – Ahead of Our Time

By starrymag | March 5, 2024

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I think that we have a kind of blend of modern country with some traditional country and older rock influences.  Because we’re a band, no matter what we do it always ends up sounding a little bit like rock acts from the 70s, kind of like the Eagles a little bit maybe.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) We have a pretty wide range of musical influences. To name a few Keith Urban, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Led Zeppelin, Matchbox 20 – the list goes on and on.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Step on His Boots.”

A) We really like to think about capturing a vibe and a feeling when we write, as much as we think about having clever lyrics, and this song was one where we tried to do both. It really stems from that country charm kind of mentality, if a guy who isn’t treating his girl right, then he better be prepared to lose her.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I just think it’s the honesty of our music that connects to fans. Country music is and always has been real stories for real people. We’re just a bunch of working-class guys telling stories from our perspective, and I think that makes it really relatable for a lot of people.

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) We’ve gone pretty deep on some of our videos in the past, but for this one we chose to keep it kind of lights, just light the song. None of us would consider ourselves actors, so it felt more natural to just have this one be focused around the band playing the song.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) For me, music and lyrics kind of. Come at the same time. Sure, sometimes you start with a lyrical idea or something you start with a musical idea, but I’ve always found the best songs are written when those two things happen simultaneously. You think of a line, and you sing it and usually whatever the first melody that you sing to it will be the most intuitive version of it…if that makes sense.

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) We’re heavily involved in the production of our music (I’m sure, sometimes to the announce of our producer Todd Clark [laughs]), but really, we are all version passionate about music in general and we love getting into the weeds about the little details. It sounds cliché but all of the little details really do add up.

Q) You have a new EP Ahead of Our Time out now. What are some themes you explore on it?

A) The Ahead of Our Time EP covers a wide range of themes. Everything from trying to get a new girlfriend to drinking to forgetting an ex to being heartbroken about the one that got away.

Q) Which song(s) hold a special significance for you and what makes them so close to your heart?

A) “Heartbeat” for me is one that feels special. We’re country dudes, and that means that we don’t really like getting too emotional, and anytime you can use NASCAR to describe how you feel about a girl, it’s a win-win.

Q) What song challenged you the most creatively when you were working on this EP?

A) Honestly, probably “Ahead Of Our Time.” That song without a doubt is the most emotional and exposed we’ve ever been as a group. It definitely pushed us out of our comfort zone.

Q) What do you hope lingers with audiences – either an emotion or message – when they listen to your music?

A) I think the message that we always try to leave with any audience is that we are one of you. We’re just a bunch of middle-class guys that picked up instruments and got lucky.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) There’s a handful of venues back home that we love to play, especially one called The Kee, which is a big old boat house that was converted into a venue back in the 70s. Every time we play it feels like it’s about to fall into the lake.

Q) Congratulations on the invitation to make your Grand Ole Opry debut! How does it feel? What does it mean to you?

A) It’s just such an honor. We’ve been country music fans our entire lives, and we’ve been to the Opry so many times just as fans sitting in the seats. So, the idea of getting to play music that we created, on the same stage as so many of our idols, is honestly unbelievable.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) That’s a tough question, since we’ve already had the chance to collab with one of our heroes Dierks Bentley, but both Hardy and Eric Church would be pretty amazing.

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why?

A) I’ve been listening a lot to Lainey Wilson. I know everyone is saying this, but she’s gotta be the be the next superstar in country. Everything about it is so, so good. The songs are great, the production is great, her voice is great and it’s all real.

Q) Why is social media such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) As artists we’re always looking for new ways to connect with the people who believe in our music, and in this day and age that’s through social media. I think it’s the single most important thing artists can use to get their art to their audience.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Just thank you so much for believing in us, and liking what we do, and allowing us to make music that we love. We’re the happiest dudes on the planets; we’re just happy to be here!