Hiya James Percival, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
What got you into music?
I can’t really remember life without music. Most of my fondest childhood memories are music related, such as listening to A Rush of Blood to the Head in the tractor with my dad or bashing my hands on the floor to live music as an infant thinking I could drum! I don’t come from a musical family, except for my grandad, it was just a passion I have always had. I was fortunate enough to get piano, drum, and then later composition lessons, and I pursued all the opportunities I got.
What’s the live music scene like in Birmingham right now? Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)?
It’s an interesting one. It certainly isn’t dead which I am very grateful for. There are constantly new bands and artists playing every week, however, I get the sense that turnout has dropped significantly since COVID. Money is very tight, new acts are paid shockingly little, yet the music being performed is very good. There are different styles and genres coming back up as well such as folk and country which can provide a really varied and enjoyable show. Impressive, talented acts to look out for include Tom Leader, Passive Fix and L for Lobster.
It seems like being a social media curator has become added to the many jobs of a musician, how do you feel about this?
I guess you have to do what you have to. New artists are so low down the pecking order we don’t really have a choice to be stubborn about changing with the times, unless of course you can make that your brand and sell it! There are definitely big advantages to social media, like potentially being able to get your face or your music to millions of people for free. But it is a shame that you could have worked so hard for so long on your music, and be an incredible musician, but if you can’t pump out the right insta reels in just the way that hits the algorithm then your hard craft goes unnoticed.
How do you manage engagement on your socials?
I try to find the balance between making ‘content’ and being authentically myself. For example, I may post about upcoming releases, but I will also post reels playing ideas that I composed that day.
What’s your view on the Music industry today?
It feels as if the Music industry is at a weird moment of extremes. There has never been so much opportunity for new artists, and yet the opportunity is to be unnoticed and exploited; to practically pay to have people listen to your music unless you manage to be the 1% who make money from their music. There is definitely exploitation in the industry that really needs to be addressed. My personal view is that we should never have been able to stream music for free.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
That great lyrics often require suffering, but not the type you can control.
What was your best experience on stage?
Either nailing an amazing solo in front of friends and family, or the incredible cheer after finishing the set finale song ‘Know It All’ at The Victoria recently.
What was your worst experience on stage?
Any time I forget my own lyrics mid-song is never a highlight!
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about.
I actually grew up on a farm in Cornwall and for all the idyllic scenery, it wasn’t easy. But I hope to move back one day to take on the challenge.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
Yes, an EP called Curtains Closed about my sister’s dramatic deterioration in health due to Long-Covid and Chronic Fatigue. In typical artist fashion, the EP narrates how I processed it all, yet I see it as a chance to raise awareness and potentially help others process and heal through the music.
It is a thorough journey, from heartfelt alternative pop, to passionate prog-rock, jazz-fusion, and even therapeutic soft jazz. However, it is a concept EP. The different styles is what makes my style: instead of letting genre restrict me, I use genre to reinforce the story of the song.
For example, the opening title track, perhaps my proudest achievement to date, is somewhat simple and minimal, yet straight from the heart, so the instrumentation and style is simple and minimal to bring that out. Another song to note is track 5; just after the experimental chaos of ‘Disembodied’ (playing with quintuplet cross-rhythms), ‘What am I supposed to feel?’ was almost my own Nunc Dimittis. It recounts me reaching the end of words. Instead, the beautiful saxophone melodies from a good friend of mine transport you to a place where you are healing without even knowing it. If you don’t believe me, take a listen!
What was the recording process like?
I recorded a lot of the instruments in my home makeshift recording studio, which has nothing but fun connotations for me. But, I also outsourced several parts to better musicians than myself, who were able to lift songs to a new level, such as the saxophone in track 5. So on the whole, positive. However, I am able now to overlook the pain of having to re-record vocals three or four times, or thinking I’d finished a track like ‘Disembodied’ only to realise it was missing some piano octaves.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
That achieving the best production possible is really important today, and that if something niggles you now, it is worth fixing immediately, instead of hoping it will go away through mixing.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
There are definitely changes I am making to my writing style going forward, like being extra judicious editing song structure. But apart from the odd vocal moment, I am proud of it as a big step up on the debut album. Everything is a lot tighter and songs tend to hit the mark I hoped they would.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
I have plenty more music to release, some psychedelic rock and some jazzy, and I would love your thoughts on my latest ideas which I release on insta, facebook and TikTok all @jamespercivalmusic. Please also check out my Spotify and Bandcamp under James Percival, and my linktree which is linktree/jamespercivalmusic. Finally, don’t forget to donate to Long Covid Awareness and raise awareness for those for whom normal daily routines are anywhere from a challenge to impossible.
Thanks for joining us today, folks
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