1. The First Song I Wrote
Oh, God… I think the first song I wrote was about a break-up when I was 17. I don’t recall the title, but I know it was a super cheesy lament in the key of G. I may or may not remember how to play it. Maybe if you get me drunk.
2. The Last Song I Released
I’ve recently put out ‘Heaven’ – the first single from my forthcoming album. It features some dreamy pedal steel lines by Shane Reilly (Lost Ragas and Voix D’or) and was mixed by Tony Dupé (Grand Salvo, Jack Ladder and Holly Throsby) in an old parish hall.
3. Songwriting Secrets
I usually write a melody/chord progression first, which lends itself to certain words and sounds. The most liberating thing for me is to forget about key signatures and structure and allow the unborn song to possess me, even if it’s unintelligible at first. You’ll find that your subconscious has a way of leading you through the dark.
4. The Song That Makes Me Proud
I’m not sure I have a favourite song – it’s kind of like asking a parent which of their children they love most. It also depends on the mood I’m in, the audience I’m performing for and the emotions I’m feeling. Currently, my favourite song is the new single, ‘Heaven’. I’ve written a clarinet part for my friend Seb to accompany me with. It kills me.
5. The Song That Changed My Life
So many moments come flooding back; the time I discovered XO by Elliott Smith and revelled in his beautiful gloom for weeks without coming up for air. There’s also the early morning on my way back from an altered state, when a friend of mine put on Venus In Cancer by Robbie Basho – that record really changed me, but I couldn’t articulate how. His music is like an Eastern-influenced impressionist painting that transports you to another world entirely.
James Teagueappears at Petersham Bowling Club on Friday August 28.
