James Wesley – Running

By starrymag | July 22, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I would describe my sound modern music with a traditional voice.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Some of musical influences are old school like Marry Robbins, Merle Haggard, Elvis Presley and then to bring it up a little Dwight Yokam, Keith Urban.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Running.”

 

A) Zack Wrixon, Marcum Stewart and myself got together to write for the first time and none of us had really any ideas that morning other than just meeting and possibly coming up with an idea or a start of a song. What ended up coming out of that write was “Running.” It’s a relationship gone wrong song where this guy thinks if he keeps running from her memory it won’t catch up with him….

 

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

 

A) I think fans can connect to it because everyone has been in a relationship at least once in their life that hasn’t been the best where in the between time before that special someone great finally comes along that person’s memory still comes back that you try to forget.

 

Q) Can fans expect a video for the song in the near future? 

 

A) Right now, we haven’t discussed doing a video, but it sure would make a great one.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? 

 

A) Ha! Well, you always hope you have an idea, but sometimes it doesn’t happen until the day of the write when you meet your co-writer or co-writers.

 

Q) Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) It is different every time. For me, it’s an idea then lyrics and music start to blend with it. It’s like and empty canvas then the paint starts to flow.

 

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

 

A) As far as having a hand in the production, I try and have as much input and ideas as I can especially if it’s a song of my own because it’s really your baby… [laughs] I think any artist would agree.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live James Wesley performance? 

 

A) Fans can expect a lot of energy, great music from my band and a personable show.  I like to make my shows personable and to make my fans comfortable and have fun. I like it to be able to read the crowd and feel the energy from the audience.

 

Q) What songs off your new self-titled EP are you looking forward to performing live? 

 

A) [laughs] Of course, I would have to say “Running!” They to me are all great songs. “Cornfield With Vegas Lights” is a high energy thumping song that is a lot of fun to do live. I wrote this song with Vickey McGehee and Brian Davis. “You Should Be Here With Me” is an amazing song written by Andrew Dorf, Rodney Clawson and Jon McElroy. This song gradually builds from a ballad to a mid-tempo. I always say if I was a woman, this is the song I would want someone to sing to me… [laughs] It really is a beautiful song!

 

Q) What made you decide to go with an EP over a full album? 

 

A) This EP was a labor of love and also a surprise from my band. These five songs I have been wanting to cut and make them my own for a while. I had several things going on and it wasn’t the best time in my life. My bandmates Michael Blakemore, Jesse LaFave, Bryan Tewell and Matt Morgeson laid down the tracks and surprised me with them. Michael Blakemore played a huge part in putting it all together from arranging instrumentation to production. Jesse, Michael and I did the final production together to make it complete. I have some super amazing guys in my band that I can say are true friends.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to the EP as a whole?

 

A) I hope listeners will take away with them when they listen to my EP that all my songs are relatable, real and that they can feel the passion that I have for music and that I have lived what I sing. Not only that, but enjoy the music and lyrics and know someone else has lived what they have yet put it to music.

 

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

 

A) I love to play Upstate NY because they really love country music. It’s not what everyone thinks. It’s beautiful country and a lot of farms. Also, the Midwest because that is where I grew up and it’s always good to go back home. Mound Valley, KS is my hometown. When I play there the support is overwhelming because the last time I played there we had a crowd of over 5,000 show up. I really love it all and am very blessed anytime I get to play anywhere.

 

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

 

A) I think it would be an honor to collaborate with a legend like Willie Nelson. His style, voice and sound wild bring it all full circle.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) Right now, I have been listening to several bands and artists like One Republic, The Script, Willie Nelson and Don Williams. I know that is a big difference in sound and style, but it’s always the lyrics, vocals and production that get my attention.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) I feel that it is important to do my own socials, because it’s part of me relating to my fans and friends and not someone that really doesn’t know me or them.

 

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

 

A) I would like to tell everyone that is a fan and supporter of me, my music and my band thank you for all the support, kind words and spending your hard-earned money to come see us. Believe me, I know how hard it is out there trying to make it in this crazy world.  I would also like to say you all make a difference calling the radio stations and spreading the word. God Bless you all and look forward to seeing you on the road. Thank you!