With over a billion streams of his tracks to his name to date and having performed with some of the biggest names in the industry right now including Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith, there’s no denying Gavin James has long since solidified his place in the hearts, minds and ears of music fans around the world with lyrics and performances that are both captivating and inspiring. Like many of his fellow artists – and much of the world – his plans for this period of 2020 have been somewhat waylaid, and PW caught up with Gavin to find out how he’s been keeping busy and to chat about his latest single “Boxes.”
Given that you hail from Ireland, do you ever feel any pressure to live up to the legacy and success of your fellow artistic counterparts such as U2, The Script and co, or are you just happy to do your thing, come what may and just go along for the ride?
Gavin James: I’m really lucky to have so many Irish musician friends, most of us have play the streets busking and in the pubs at night seven days a week. There’s a great community of Irish musicians and we all help each other along the way. Kodaline took me on tour of the US and UK when I was starting out and I try and take new Irish acts with me too.
If you had to sum yourself and your music up in a few words – as if you were being advertised on a billboard – what would you say?
Let’s go for pints, hugs, laughs and songs!
Who or what most inspires the music you create, and do those influences tend to change much at all?
A lot of my songs are about my friends and family. Being around them all is really important to me and they keep me grounded.
Is there a particular story behind your latest track “Boxes” and what made you think it was the right choice for a single?
The message of “Boxes” is to not listen to anybody. Just listen to yourself and follow your dream. I went to an all-boys school in Dublin where if you wore the wrong shoes you had to walk around in slippers all day. I was a bit mad at school – for years I had people saying I couldn’t do anything, it was too hard to make it in music, I shouldn’t try. SO thankful that inspired “Boxes” so it all worked out in the end!
What to you – in terms of elements – makes a song truly great, and with that in mind, and this might be difficult for you to answer, which song, from the scores released over time, is the greatest or most iconic song ever?
How a song connects or relates to you is what makes them really special. I could not pick one as there are just too many!
You’ve had over a billion streams of all your songs – did you ever imagine that your music would connect with fans on such a huge scale? Why do you think your songs can and do so indeed fare so well?
It always is amazing to hear people sing your songs word for word back to you, that is an incredible feeling and even more so when you’re in a new country or city that you have never been in. I don’t know how that magic happens but it’s very special.
As an artist who has toured with Niall Horan, Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran among others, which band or artist from across history would you most like to or wish you could share a stage with?
I was really lucky to have had the chance to support Niall, Ed and Sam they are all legends and I had a great time touring with them all. I’m a massive Frank Sinatra Fan how cool would it have been to support or duet with him in Vegas back in day, that would be class!
You’ve received global praise and attention from fans and critics, but what’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said or written about you, and how do you handle any comments that might not be so positive? Do they bother you?
The nicest thing anyone has ever said…. that would have to be my Mam & Dad, they have supported and encouraged me from day one. As for negative comments, it just amazes me that people have the time and care that much to go post something negative; it’s great to see them!
How have you been passing the time during this virus pandemic and what’s the one thing you’re most looking forward to doing once normal life resumes?
It’s great to be home as I do so much traveling, so I’ve been chilling, writing and cooking and doing a lot of charity work by streaming gigs from my house. I also got a dog for the first time; I called him Bruce after The Boss.
Finally then, given that this virus crisis has badly impacted the music industry, as it has many others, how do you think it can and will recover? With that in mind, where do you see the future of the music industry going in the months, years and decades ahead? What little part do you hope to play; what legacy do you wish, many, many years from now, to leave behind, in and on an industry that brings pleasure to so many?
No one knows what’s going to happen, but I have decided not to wait around as my team all need to work, so I put a drive-in tour of Ireland together starting next month and it’s sold out; 12,000 tickets. So we are all delighted to be going back to work, drive in’s are not an answer but for now that all we can do, I’m also looking at some outside social distance concerts in September. But I hope all will be back to normal as soon as possible.
Check out “Boxes” below and for more information on Gavin James, visit his website, give his page a like on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.
