So, I’ve been playing music since the age of 6, and have been full-time music since late 2006. Now, in early 2008 I’m incredibly busy doing my own promotion and writing, recording, producing and hand-making CD’s of my music mostly to sell at gigs, although I sell also on the relatively maintenance-free i-Tunes , Napster and so on (made possible by the highly recommended CD Baby ).
Now playing: James Hollingsworth Feel free to listen, but if you like it, please buy it, even if it’s just one song.
Life is good, I’m living in a flat in Bristol with plenty of loft storage, a small herb-garden, off-road parking and situated near a patch of ancient woodland conveniently within two miles of the city centre. And it’s reasonably cheap being a converted council house on the edge of a (fairly peaceful) estate, and bought to be let to wayward people, including itinerant musicians such as myself.
I remember someone else’s gig in Swansea in about 1990 when I was at University living with an eclectic bunch of other boho’s and drop-outs, and one of the band members launched into a passionate Christian monologue about how the band getting a lighting rig for free was a miracle. Uncomfortably skeptical at the time, I later realised that such serendipitous grace doesn’t appear to know the difference between religions.
Anyway, I stayed in Swansea playing in various bands, until, jobless, in 1993 I made a near prodigal return (having graduated with a BSc 2.2 hons in Marine Biology), spent a few months in London catching my breath, saw Jeff Buckley play a solo set at The 12 Bar Club in Tin Pan Alley, London, which inspired me to relaunch myself following an offer to play bass guitar and sing in a West Country-based rock band, The Electric Druids . I’d known them in Swansea. I also had friends in the area, so accepted the offer, did a cluster of gigs with them, but left the band 9 months later (for a number of reasons) and I’ve remained here in Bristol ever since. In the latter half of this period I have been able to leave the temp jobs and part-time (yawn) salaried employment and move to sustaining myself through making original music, mostly solo, but I now sing with JEBO , a rock band produced by John Burns whose work includes definitive albums by Genesis, Jethro Tull, Burning Spear and John Martyn in the 70’s. We’ve played at the Royal Abert Hall and are building a strong following in Germany. I’m also building my own acoustic band as well as producing a chaotic Catalan poet/rhapsode, Xavier Panades and the CAT .
But I am still grateful for the skills I learned in my mostly admin-related, temp jobs which helped kick-start my practical ability to make a living from music. In the first year of professional life I have had to spend far more time on the phone, dealing with large amounts of the data necessary for the operation of the business than actually playing guitar. But at least I’m working for myself and I’m pleased to say it’s starting to pay off!
I can’t afford a mortgage. I love it anyway.
Bristol is fast gaining a reputation for being a Music-City and is a convenient central point to base myself. Meanwhile there is an increasing necessity for me to travel all over the place in order to find live audiences, which I enjoy as a kind of reward for all the hard work I do. I’m mostly working the pub circuit, but have a few festivals in 2008 including Priddy Folk Festival , which is a fairly big deal in the folk world. I supported Hazel O’Connor last year, which was great.
And, my website says the rest, really!
As well as writing songs, I’ve been interested in the profound implications of these sorts of things: John Pilger , Permaculture and Terence McKenna and Rupert Sheldrake . My songs reflect such interests, as well as the usual influences such as love, hardship, random events, cups of tea, punctuation etc.
So, I can let you know if/when I’m playing in your area (or whatever area you specify!), if you sign up to my mailing list .
I hope you like my sound. Peace!
James
www.jameshollingsworth.com
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"Probably the first thing to strike every listener is James striking voice. The only comparison I can readily make, is to the voice of Tim Buckley, and this is something I do not suggest glibly. Listen to the songs offered below and hear the vocals rise clear and pure, soaring high as they deliver the words. But listen carefully, in places they will drop in pitch to bring emphasis to certain lines and phrases. This is a talent few singers possess and in the right hands it becomes a most effective tool. It is little wonder that legendary producer John Burns (Genesis, Jethro Tull, etc) recently exclaimed "What a voice!" I only wish I’d heard it before now." - Woven Wheat Whispers .