Hi I'm Twaz, performing acoustically pseudonymously as James J Barrett, with the inclusion of the pretentious middle initial due to my namesake beating me to it with setting up a myspace. My middle name is Jonathan.
I'm a bit of a jack of all trades, ace of none. Can pick up most instruments, and have played most of them in various bands since forever, most noteworthy being trumpet in The Lock Up and bass in Seconds Out. At some point I started strumming an acoustic guitar, and was content mumbling over the top of it whilst sat on my bed. One day that progressed to recording a couple of tracks with a mate of mine - just for fun - which some how then developed into playing a show, and since snowballed into quite a lot more. I started out as this scared, nervous little kid, who never would've believed he could've performed in front of people - and these days... I'm still a scared, nervous little kid, but I've played enough shows that they're not really a shock anymore.
I believe in good honest music, being performed organically, with no mystery and no pretention. When I perform live, I try to avoid playing through a P.A system where possible, in favour of just strumming hard and singing loud. I find shows most enjoyable when people sing along, clap along, heckle, get involved... I'll have a go back - and everyone has a bubble. I like playing music, telling stories, and reading poems. I'd describe my style as being as down-to-earth as possible, pretty subjective, and accessible. I try to write about things that people can relate to, or at least might be interested in hearing about - which in my opinion, constitutes issues such as friendship, social culture, or even just silly stories. Not - 'woe is me, I'm a tortured artist, I got dumped and you'll never understand'. That's not my cup of tea at all.
The bottom line for me is that all I've ever hoped to achieve from playing music is a good time, and through getting involved in the acoustic scene, I've had this and more. I've made loads of amazing friends, and challenged myself to do stuff that I never would've believed I could.
I'll happily come and play any time, anywhere - house shows, parties, gigs, gardens, beaches... I'm a nice lad, I don't take myself too seriously, and I'll play for free. So get in touch - if you dig it...
