Brendan James
an Ink 19 interview
by Randy Radic
Troubadour, pianist, nature aficionado, world traveler, and devoted family man Brendan James recently released his sixth long player, entitled Chasing Light, an exploration of leitmotifs including long-term relationships, mental health, love, and appreciation.
Talking about his music, James says, “What I hope to do is calm, strengthen, and transport my listeners to a better self, and in turn maybe I get there, too.”
James’s talent is enormous, and his sound is authentic, corroborated by signing with Capitol Records at age 25 and with Universal Records three years later. His music has topped iTunes again and again, along with millions of streams on Spotify and legions of fans around the world.
He has collaborated or shared the stage with John Mayer, John Legend, Cat Stevens, Carly Simon, Keb Mo, and Andy Grammar, and his songs have been featured in numerous major television shows and films.
Set apart by an aura of elusive yet evocative grace that wafts over his compositions like sweet smoke, James’s songs are suffused with the lingering, genuine essence known as human compassion.
I spoke with Brendan James to discuss the inspiration behind Chasing Light, his uniquely alluring sound, and why he makes music.
• •
Randy Radic: What three things can’t you live without?
Brendan James: Coffee. My Korg SV-1 88. Running Shoes.
What inspired your new album, Chasing Light?
Time stuck indoors, time re-discovering the outdoors, my wife’s open-heart surgery.
Is there one song on the album that means more to you than the others? If so, why?
Probably “Peacemaker.” Ever since I was young, I’ve tried to be the diplomat in the room, searching for common ground, and just listening. But with the state of things in this country right now, it’s hard to even know where to begin with that anymore. So I wrote this song as an open letter to a storied peacemaker… asking him to show me the way.
Which singers/musicians influenced your sound?
I guess I look towards artists like Amos Lee and Brandi Carlisle a lot these days for purity and honesty in sound… but I’ve also been loving Rayland Baxter, Dawes, M. Ward, Monica Martin, and my original guiding lights- Bob Dylan, James Taylor, and Paul Simon.
Did your sound evolve naturally, or did you deliberately push it in a certain direction?
I’ll say it definitely tends to evolve naturally… but this group of songs came together with a real intention to follow my “golden thread,” delve deeper into who and what I offer, rather than getting distracted with the coulds and shoulds.
If you had to describe your sound to the uninitiated, what would you say?
Calming, honest, hopefully, replenish your soul type stuff.
Serious question: Why do you make music?
Making music is a process I can get so lost in… find a flow state in. It keeps my brain stimulated, my soul calm… it makes me feel like I matter. And then performing the songs to an engaged crowd is a spiritual, emotional dopamine explosion that I’ll never get enough of.
What can you share about your writing process?
My writing process moves from hot and heavy to low and slow. I never quite know when that diamond will be uncovered, so a lot of times I don’t even push it. I just know if I’m living a full life outside of music, I’ll have much more to pull from when it’s time to write… and I’ll most likely turn out material way more relatable to others and grounded in who I actually am.
Which artists in your opinion are killing it right now?
Well, artists like Jack Johnson, and Amos Lee, and Ben Harper still remain near the top of that list for me in terms of “killing it.” They seem to be able to draw big crowds when it’s time to tour but clearly value their personal, family, and recreational time just as much if not more. And so do I.
Knowing what you know now, if you could go back and start your music career over again, what would you do differently?
Honestly, I don’t know if there’s much I would change, other than maybe starting the songwriting and piano playing process earlier in my life. Starting late with it all around the age of 18 meant that it’s taken me longer to be the artist I dreamed I could be, and that I wasn’t quite ready for some of the big opportunities I got in my twenties. Which is in one breath a little frustrating, but in another really exciting. As I’m now the artist I dreamed of, and I still have some time left.
How do you define success?
Success to me is following a path of my choosing, having fun along the way, finding a partner, raising children, adventuring, doing good, and seeking contentment in daily life.
What’s next for Brendan James?
Well, I’m moving to the mountains of North Carolina. My wife is quitting her job and working with me, and I’m gonna take the next decade or two by the horns — pursuing my life and music career with more passion than ever. ◼
Featured photo by Kim Lange.
