Having achieved huge success as a member of Busted, James Bourne is no stranger to the music business and has also written songs for several big-name bands and artists. With a passion for music that is truly undeniable, he’s now beginning the next chapter of his adventure in the industry and has launched a solo career, re-introducing himself to the world earlier this month via debut single “Everyone Is My Friend.” PopWrapped caught up with him to find out about his upcoming debut album, his thoughts on social media why he felt now was the right time to take the next step in his music career.
You are of course best known for being one third of pop-sensation boyband Busted. Given that both of your bandmates went solo several years ago, why have you decided that now is the right time to do the same?
I was going to go solo 7 years ago. I had no idea about any supergroups or reunions. I randomly played in Manchester by myself at a McFly show and the reaction was so positive that all these supergroup/reunion offers came off the back of that. I played 3 songs by myself, 2 Busted songs and “Beautiful Girls Are The Loneliest” which was one of the songs I had written for my solo album. It ended up on a McBusted album instead.
To what extent if at all has the Corona Virus impacted your plans? Might you have launched this solo career several months ago had the world not fallen into chaos or has the introduction to you as a solo artist always been set for here and now?
Like I said, I was going to do it 7 years ago but you have to adapt to the things life throws at you and make the best decisions you can. I might not be allowed to play shows right now but I can release my music and I have all the time in the world to write new songs and that is just as much fun for me!
What made you decide that “Everyone Is My Friend” was and is the right choice for a first single? Is there a particular story behind the track and what do you want fans to take from it when they hear it?
I’m so bored of albums and new music coming out at Christmas..so I wanted a summer release and “Everyone Is My Friend” has that chill summer positive vibe. The song chose itself as the first single!
The song was produced by John Fields, who has worked with the likes of Selena Gomez and Jimmy Eat World, and co-written by Stephen Bishop, whose credits include Phil Collins’ “Separate Lives.” What was it like to work alongside the two of them and what did they bring to the creative process?
They both brought so much. John is a producer I keep going back to because he has all the rare qualities any songwriter would want in a producer. His contributions as a producer are so valuable that I believe he crosses over into the writing realm and he is also a co-writer on my songs. Stephen is a new friend of mine who I enjoy to write with! He has had such an interesting life and it’s equally as fun to just hang out, as it is to write with him. Whenever we hang…. we write a song!
The track is also a teaser for your upcoming debut album. Without giving too much away, what can you tell me about it?
The album has lots of different sounding songs that somehow exist well together. As a songwriter I’ve travelled a lot and spent a lot of time in transit so a lot of the songs have been inspired by my experiences on the road or places I’ve lived or been.
You’re one of the most prolific and established songwriters in the business, responsible or partly for several of Busted’s huge hits. But what people might not know is that you’ve also written for artists including Pixie Lott, 5 Seconds of Summer and the Backstreet Boys among others. Which of the songs you’ve written for such acts might you say you’re most proud of and why? Was there any one song that surprised you at how successful it’s gone on to be?
“Year 3000” is without question my most famous song. Mainly thanks to the Jonas Brothers for introducing it to an American audience. But I’ve written some great lesser known songs with some incredible people for example Pat Monahan from the band Train. We wrote a song together called “Great Escape” which went on his solo album. He’s an amazing singer and a Grammy award-winning rock-star. Sessions like this are always a blessing!
Busted split at a time when social media was yet to enjoy the “boom” that would follow a year or so later, but you’ve grown up in a very technology and audience-based business and have been on Twitter since 2009. To what extent do you believe social media is now necessary for bands and artists to achieve success and build a platform, and do you think there are any pitfalls to society’s ‘obsession’ with being so interactive and connected to and with each other?
It’s super necessary! Especially if you want younger people to discover you. You have to embrace change and keep an open mind. Arrogance will end your career.
With so many years’ industry experience behind you, what advice would you give to bands and artists just finding their feet in this ever changing, cut throat business? Is there anything you wish you’d been told or any piece of advice you were given that you still reflect on today?
You have to have real relationships with people. Call people back and do what you say you’re gonna do. Don’t expect anyone else to make it happen except yourself.
Finally then, with the single out now, and the album coming, are there any other plans in the pipeline or are you just enjoying this new chapter of your life as it is right now and given the current crisis, taking things on more of a day by day basis?
I’m really enjoying this new chapter! I’m the most excited I’ve ever been about music! I’m 100% committed to by solo career for the foreseeable future.
Check out the lyric video for “Everyone Is My Friend” below and for more information on James Bourne, give his page a like on Facebook or follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
