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Friday 13 March 2009 palatinate.org.uk
INDIGO 3
INTERVIEW
More than just a housewives’ favourite James Morrison talks to Palatinate ahead of his UK tour. Interview by Holly Wild and Charlie Booth Factfile: James Morrison «Born 19 August 1984 «Nationality British «Place of Birth Rugby, Warwickshire «Previous Releases Undiscovered, July 2006 Songs for You, Truths for Me, September 2008 «Trivia Attributes his distinctive voice to a severe bout of Whooping Cough which nearly killed him as a baby. Before being signed by Polydor, he built up a following by performing at open-mic nights at a pub called ‘Ryan’s Bar’ in Derby.
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ou Give Me Something,’ James Morrison’s debut single, became a hit in Europe, Australia and Japan and rocketed him to the top of ‘Most Listened To’ playlists of housewives everywhere. Film role offers and BRIT award recognition followed and both his albums, Undiscovered and Songs for You Truths for Me have proved critically and commercially successful.
“I’m not really an actor, I’m really not. I’m not very good at remembering lines. I’m just a singer you know.” >>>“When you’re a new artist the buzz to buy your album is a lot higher than people who are more known, I think. I think second albums are more difficult because people expect more than from the first one. >>>“There’s a hell of a lot of artists releasing albums and people haven’t got as much money or they’re downloading more, so I think people think a little bit more about if they actually want to buy an album before they buy it these days, whereas when I released the first one everyone was caning their credit cards.” >>>Morrison is fresh from a tour of the United States which saw him making guest appearances on the incredibly popular talkshows of both Jay Leno and Ellen DeGeneres. So, does this mean that cracking America is a main priority
of his? >>>“I think everywhere is a priority really - you want to be well known everywhere, but obviously America is important because a lot of the great music that I love is from there and it would be nice to crack America. I think this time around has gone a lot better than the first time people know me a little bit more. Broken Strings is getting a lot of radio play over there at the moment, which is great!
“You’re away from home a lot, late nights. ...Downsides? There aren’t any really!” >>>“It was hard work - I did a lot of radio shows during the day, and showcases and then shows in the evening. It was pretty full-on but I really enjoyed it - apart from the cold.” >>>James has already planned to play the T in the Park festival this summer, but also admits that he wants to do as much festival work as he can possibly fit in. >>>James’ long-term girlfriend Jill gave birth to the couple’s first child, Elsie, in September. Does James find the hectic and stressful world of touring an extra pressure on family life? >>>“Yeah of course man, because she’s changing all the time and so quickly so you miss the little things. But I’ve been at home recently for quite a bit so that was good and I got to watch her change a little bit which was great. >>>“But it’s going alright! I mean I’ve got extra bags under my eyes now but I’m doing alright with it. You’ve got to have a balance between the crazy nights that I’m doing on the road and the home life. It’s good to have both different lifestyles to put it all in perspective.” >>>James’s most recent single, Broken Strings, sees him dueting with Nelly Furtado. He himself admits she was a rather unexpected choice and explains that the background to this collaboration was frankly humdrum: >>>“It basically came from me writing the song and needing someone to sing on it, so I just tried to think of a contemporary female singer. She had ‘Maneater’ out and I just thought she’s so versatile she can pull off any style really. >>>She was kind of an unexpected choice really. I thought it was so cool when she said she was up for it and she’s so grounded and down to earth. Really great to work with.” >>>The single proved a success, only kept from the No. 1 spot in UK charts by relative newcomer Lady GaGa’s latest offering. Is James a fan of his usurper?
“Meeting Stevie Wonder was amazing - I never thought I’d get to meet him.”
>>>“Well I think she’s definitely kind of kooky and interesting and people obviously like her. I don’t mind being beaten by someone like that, number two’s alright, you know what I mean? I really don’t mind and being one away from the
top is good.” >>>It seems likely that working with another artist would affect the way James works, yet he denies this was the case: >>>“Well I wrote this song without knowing that it was going to be a duet so I think it worked better for that reason really. If I’d have known that it was going to be a duet it might have been harder to write it. >>> I try not to think about it too much and just let it come out and if it’s right for a duet then you can do that. I just wrote a song and then it kind of turned out that it would be good as a duet by chance. It happened naturally which is good.” >>>This most recent collaboration turned out to be a perfect partnership through luck. But what would be James’ dream collaboration? >>>“Oh man! That’s quite difficult. If I was going to do another one it would have to be with Stevie Wonder and I wouldn’t mind what song it was. We could do anything and I’d enjoy it! Meeting Stevie Wonder was amazing - I never thought I’d get to meet him. I met him at the Royal Naval College when he was doing a charity gig and I met him outside. >>> I was waiting for the gig and I was getting really pissed off with my manager because he kept saying “come outside” and I was like “I don’t want to go outside, I’m here for the gig” and he was like “just come outside”. So I went outside and Stevie Wonder was there and I got so nervous. I don’t get starstruck usually, but Stevie Wonder’s the main one. The only one where I’ve gone speechless when I met him.” >>>In 2007 James won the BRIT award for Best British Male Solo Artist. This year he was pipped to the award by Paul Weller. How does he feel? >>>“I’m gutted! But losing to Paul Weller is cool, you know what I mean? I’d rather lose to him than anyone else. I don’t mind. It’s not the be all and end all. I do this because I love it, not because I want to get awards. Obviously awards are nice!” >>>What did James make of Duffy’s runaway success?
>>>“Well she did sell a lot of records you know so you can’t take that away from her. Coldplay are a great band but they’ve won loads of awards already so they can’t begrudge Duffy winning, but I did want to see Adele win to be honest. I’ve just been on tour with her and she’s amazing live. I would have voted for her without a doubt, but Duffy still deserved to win.”
“I’ve got a lot of respect for anyone who joins the army... My dad used to be in the RAF. It was never really an option for me. I’m not really a fighter, I’m too small.” >>>Can he shed any light on the rumour that he was offered a film role prior to the release of his first album? >>>“I hadn’t even finished recording my album at that point. It was a film called August Rush. It actually came out a few
years ago and it had Jonathan Rhys Meyers in it - he got the part in the end. They wanted me to be the lead singer in the film. I’m not really an actor, I’m really not. I’m not very good at remembering lines in general. I’m just a singer you know.” >>>How does James, traditionally described as a ‘housewives’ favourite’ feel about his apparent following in the armed services? >>>“They must be going through a lot of emotional stuff when they’re out there and if my music helps them get through that then that’s wicked. I’ve got a lot of respect for anyone who joins the army and fights for their country. >>>“My dad used to be in the RAF. It was never really an option for me. I’m not really a fighter, I’m too small!” >>>Does he plan to take it easy after the tour ends? >>>“Well I went to Hawaii a few years ago and that was unbelievable - that was the best place I’ve ever been. I’m easy, you know. Last year I went camping with my brother and sister in France and it was wicked. I’d like to go back and take my little daughter with me.” >>>Morrison will be touring the UK until April, and will be performing in Newcastle on 24th March - no doubt to an adoring crowd of housewives and soldiers on leave.