Former Gypsies On The Autobahn lead singer James Smith has released his debut single, I'm Sorry. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
With the break-up of his previous band, Smith has taken on multiple remixing projects under the name Yurn, and features on Zaska's debut album and Kojaque's album Deli Daydreams.
Speaking about his new song, Dubliner Smith says. "I’m Sorry was written for a friend years ago. They had recently broken up with their long-term partner out of the blue and they felt they couldn’t deal with it.
"I got a call soon after, telling of their despair and that they had talked themselves out of doing something regrettable. The song was a hand on their shoulder, to let them know that I was thinking of them, that I was trying to place myself in their shoes."
Tell us three things about yourself?
I’ve been playing music since I was five, thrust into piano, guitar, and whistle lessons.
Trained as primary school teacher, but became a chef; wanting longer hours.
Officially won the cutest baby at the Cavan county fair 1990.
How would you describe your music?
A fusion of folk and rock which is vulnerable, raw, exposed. I find I work through a lot of my own heartaches and elations lyrically and give a lot of myself over to people. I take inspiration from singers who let a song breathe and speak for itself such as Nick Drake or Julia Jacklin.
Who are your musical inspirations?
My family, and I don’t mean that in a corny way; all my brothers are exceptionally talented musicians, producers, arrangers. My mother has instilled a lot of self-belief in us and passed on her powerhouse lungs down to her four boys.
How are you occupying yourself during the coronavirus lockdown?
Building a wall. There’s a reason why artists are artists and builders are builders; I’m not saying it’s particularly pretty; I’m saying it’s not structurally sound. Took me all summer.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Setting Son - Gemma Dunleavy.
Favourite lyric of all time?
'I can live growing old alone if push comes to shove, But I can't live without my mother's love’. Sun Kil Moon - I Can’t Live Without My Mother’s Love.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
Jeff Buckley - Last Goodbye.
Where can people find your music/more information?
I’ll be releasing my first single off my album on February 16th, called I’m Sorry.
