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Photo – Mark Morgan

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Interview with
JAMES KEITH

(25th June 2023)

Interview by Dave Bruce

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Photo – Mark Morgan

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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you get the song writing bug?
I’ve been playing guitar since I was 8 and have always dreamt of playing on stage. I was in a band with my brother for 10 years and started writing songs for the band. I sustained a throat injury playing Rugby league and thought my singing days were over.
But when he didn’t want to sing country my only hope of getting my songs out there was to do it myself, and here I am.

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think people resonate with your music?
I love performing so my sound is a high energy brand of country rock, I’m still finding my sound but being the genre it is you can explore different avenues which i really enjoy. Also my songs are about positivity and were written to make you move.

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today? 
Zac Brown band were the band that got me into Country, so I owe them a lot. My all time Favourite band is “The 1975” their music, melodies and thought that goes into songs is genius.
Closer to home I grew up with 1927 the Living end and INXS

Your new single ‘NO HERO’ has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution. 
I co-wrote this with good mate, Kyle Pearce, ‘No Hero’ has been more than a decade in the making.
KP showed me a song way back in 2010. We were sitting at a Matchbox 20 concert in the Hunter Valley and as soon as I heard the start I immediately fell in love with that riff.
The song didn’t go anywhere and KP was never happy with it.
When I began writing for my forthcoming debut album I decided to unearth the old song and give it new life. “KP is now living in Germany. I showed him a revision of the song with a brand-new chorus, bridge, solo and outro, and he loved it.”

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Is there an EP or Album on the drawing board?
I have a 13 track Album already finished. And ready to go for later in the year.  It’s a story and themed and all tie in well together and I cant wait to get it out there. We are tweaking the mastering with Billy Decker in Nashville, but it’s ready to go.

Any tours or events coming up soon? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
I have several shows planned in Sydney, later in the year. I supported Jon Stevens earlier in the year and would love to get on the festival circuit. These songs were designed to play loud and live.
My shows are full of energy and positivity, we jump around. If you’re not having a good time at our show, You must be deaf and blind.

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why? 
Zac Brown. Huge inspiration, a fantastic musician and singer and think I would learn so much of him. I would love to write with Hardy. I met him at CMC and hes a great dude. So cool and one of the best writers out there in my eyes.

Do you have any long-term aspirations as a music artist? 
Absolutely. I have a landscape business and 3 kids. I feel like Ive got a head start. There’s nothing more I love doing than spending time with the kids and music so I make time… well that’s all I do.

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What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been the career highlight so far?
Having people singing my songs back to me. Ive always wanted to know what that feels like, because thats what I do at a concert. Even though I’m starting out its only going to get better.

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – The 1975 debut album
Artist – Zac Brown band
Movie – Happy Gilmore
Place to visit – Key West Florida
Venue to play – any stage
Food –  Oysters Kilpatrick
Drink – Pink Milk
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) I have just had my forearm done. It’s my whole life on my arm (in symbols) 3 kids, mum and dad, Leo, my debut album and guitar references and few other special things.

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Photo – Mark Morgan

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Follow JAMES KEITH
Website – Instagram – Facebook

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Photo – Mark Morgan

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Press Release 19th May 2023 (below)

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Country Music newcomer James Keith unveils his new single ‘No Hero’ – an uplifting toe-tapper about embracing the journey of life.

The singer-songwriter from the sleepy wine country of Orange, NSW has a penchant for optimism. His latest offering radiates that in spades. Inspired by James’ own musical journey, which has taken him around the world to Nashville, TN, the song revels in joy and aspiration.

“This song is all about a kid having a dream, chasing it, working hard and eventually fulfilling it,” reveals James. “All he wants, is to feel the heat from those Neon signs in Nashville, singing to a sea of stars and playing live on stage, taking the crowd on the journey with him. He wants you to feel alive with him while he’s onstage singing his songs.”

Co-written with friend, Kyle Pearce, ‘No Hero’ has been more than a decade in the making. “This was one of Kyles songs I heard back in 2010. We were sitting at a Matchbox 20 concert in the Hunter Valley and as soon as I heard the start I immediately fell in love with that riff.” It wasn’t until James began writing for his forthcoming debut album that he decided to unearth the old song and give it new life. “Kyle is now living in Germany. I showed him a revision of the song with a brand-new chorus, bridge, solo and outro, and he loved it.”

James tracked the single with producer Craig Honeysett at Dotted Eight Studios in his hometown. Playing alongside his band, the song went from just an acoustic demo to a full-blown production within hours. “I started acoustically then brought it to my band I have been playing with for years. Immediately the drums gave the song another dimension. That and the bass was all done in one session.” The track was then shipped off to Music City to be mixed and mastered by Billy Decker (Sam Hunt, Darius Rucker).

The accompanying video for ‘No Hero’ depicts a young James chasing down a dream, with help from James’ own son. “I made the video using my son Finny as the boy. It follows the journey of a young boy playing in his room dreaming of being on stage, looking at his inspiration on his bedroom wall, to playing on stage to adoring fans.”

When it came to finding a teenage version of the singer-songwriter, videographer Dave Smyth of The Studio Door Creative, suggested his own nephew. “Before I had even had the chance to meet him and his Mum, Therese, he already had all the words down pack, a level of commitment I admired. When I did meet him, he actually looked like a younger me – freckles, brown hair blue eyes so he was a great fit.”

In a previous life James was an accomplished rugby league player – coming from a long line of greats to play the game. Yet after suffering a footy injury to the throat he believed his singing days were over. What spurred him on was one simple realisation. “If I wanted my songs recorded, I had to do it myself. Now working around the clock with a vocal coach I’m finally doing something I never thought possible.”

Since releasing his debut single ‘Life is Good Today’ James has brought his messages of positivity to stages around the country. Most notably opening for Jon Stevens of Noiseworks recently in Corowa.

The joy in James Keith’s music is infectious. From the jangling guitars to the pounding drums and James’ unmistakable voice – everything oozes positivity. ‘No Hero’ is an inspiring song of determination and celebration, sure to resonate with listeners far and wide.

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Photo – Mark Morgan

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SHOW DATES
Saturday 19th August
Old Manly Boat Shed
Manly, NSW

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Photo – Mark Morgan

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AMNPLIFY – DB