Gavin James (singer-songwriter)

Gavin James
Born (1991-07-06) 6 July 1991
Dublin, Ireland
Genres Pop, acoustic
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Years active 2013–present
Labels
Website gavinjamesmusic.com

Gavin James is an Irish singer-songwriter. In March 2013 and March 2016, he won the Choice Music Prize Irish Song of the Year award.[1] In July 2015, it was announced he would be a supporting act for Kodaline, Tori Kelly,[2] Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran on their tours.[3]

Musical career

James released his debut album Bitter Pill on 20 November 2015 through Warner Ireland. It was awarded Platinum certificate for sales in Ireland. Subsequently Bitter Pill has won the Choice Music Prize for Best Single released in 2015.[4]

In May and November 2015, James appeared on James Cordon's Late Late Show[5] and Jimmy Kimmel in December 2015.[6] In January 2016 James appeared on the BBC One Show, C'est A Vous and RTE and was included in Buzzfeed's [7] and The Sun's 'Ones to Watch 2016' lists.[8]

In 2016 James performed at RTÉ's Centenary Concert to mark the 100 year anniversary of Ireland's Easter Rising.

Spotify have announced Gavin James to be a 'Spotify Spotlight Artist of 2016'. On January 21 James set off on his debut European headline tour, starting with three sold out back-to-back dates at the Olympia Theatre in Ireland. James travelled back to America to support Ben Rector on his US tour in March 2016. James' cover of David Bowie's "Changes" relaunched the new Virgin Radio UK at 11am GMT on 30 March 2016, he later performed live and was interviewed for the show.[9]

James is set to headline his biggest show to date in Ireland when he performs 'Live at The Marquee' June 10 in Cork, Ireland.[10]

Early life

James was born in Dublin and grew up in a household surrounded by music. James' dad would play Cat Stephens, Sam Cooke and Bob Dylan whilst his sister Emma sang and toured with a musical in Ireland.[11] The performing talents in his family go back to James’ great grandparents who were opera singers and his granddad who was a stand-up comedian and whistler.[12]

James began playing music in a rock band at the age of 14 and writing his own songs. The rock band was short lived, however James continued to perform solo, playing numerous gigs for years and building his audience. By age 21 he was focusing on his songwriting and playing open mic nights. In 2013, James independently released single 'Say Hello' won the Meteor Choice Award for Song of The Year. By 2015, James had signed deals with Sony in Europe and Capitol Records in the US.[13]

Bitter Pill

Work began on his debut album Bitter Pill album in 2015. It was recorded in London and LA with Producers Fraser T. Smith and Cam Blackwood. James on the album, "I've always wanted to hear how my songs would sound properly produced, but I didn't want them to lose the edge they had live. We recoded the song Bitter Pill first and once we found the sound for that the rest was easy."

Simon Neil plays the guitar on '22'[14] and James’ big sister Emma provides backing vocals on the song 'Coming Home'.

The album was released in Ireland on November 20, 2015 and has subsequently been classified a Platinum selling album in Ireland.

Bitter Pill was released worldwide on 11 March 2016.[15]

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Notes
IRL UK
2016 Bitter Pill 5 52
"—" denotes a title that did not chart.

Live albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Notes
IRL BEL
(Vl)		 NED UK
2015 Live at Whelans
  • Released: 6 January 2015
  • Label:
  • Formats:
— 70 35 —
"—" denotes a title that did not chart.

EPs

Title and details Notes
Remember Me
  • Type: EP
  • Released: 2014
For You
  • Type: EP
  • Released: 2015
The Book of Love EP
  • Type: EP Remixes
  • Released: 2015

Remixes

Singles

Year Title Peak positions Album
IRL BEL
(Vl)
[16]		 BEL
(Wa)
[17]		 NED
Dutch
Top 40
 NED
Single
Top 100
[18]		 UK
2012 "Say Hello" — — — — — —
2014 "The Book of Love" — 10 22
(Ultratip)		 35 31 — Bitter Pill
2015 "For You" — — — — — —
"Bitter Pill" — 4
(Ultratip)		 — — — —
"22" — 53
(Ultratip)		 — — — —
"—" denotes a title that did not chart..

References

  1. ↑ "And the Winners Are ...". choicemusicprize.com.
  2. ↑ "Gavin James: ‘There was no plan, let alone a master plan’". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  3. ↑ "One to watch: Gavin James". London Standard. 3 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "2015 Shortlist | Choice Music Prize". choicemusicprize.ie. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  5. ↑ "Gavin James renews acquaintances with James Corden | Music | News | Hot Press". www.hotpress.com. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  6. ↑ "Gavin James to perform on Jimmy Kimmel tonight | Music | News | Hot Press". www.hotpress.com. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  7. ↑ "15 Artists To Look Out For In 2016". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  8. ↑ "Gavin James featured as ‘One To Watch’ by The Sun | Good Soldier Songs". goodsoldiersongs.com. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  9. ↑ http://virginradio.co.uk/highlights/video-were-back-relive-launch-virgin-radio-uk-1603302282
  10. ↑ http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/music-news/gavin-james-announces-summer-date-at-live-at-the-marquee-cork-34453983.html
  11. ↑ "Gavin James". www.hotpress.com. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  12. ↑ "Gavin James Plus Guest Support". Brudenell Social Club. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  13. ↑ "Gavin James signs to Sony Music in Europe - Collective Management & PR". Collective Management & PR. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  14. ↑ "Premiere: Gavin James - '22'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  15. ↑ "Gavin James - Biography | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
  16. ↑ "Gavin James discography". ultratop/be/nl/. Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  17. ↑ "Gavin James discography". ultratop/be/fr/. Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  18. ↑ "Gavin James discography". ultratop/be/fr/. Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 December 2015.

External links

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