Interview: James Humphrys on his upcoming new EP and lessons from lockdown

Interview: James Humphrys on his upcoming new EP and lessons from lockdown

Posted on: 08 Jul 2020

The renowned singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist chats to 365Bristol ahead of the release of his second EP.

 

Bristol-based artist James Humphrys is fast approaching the release of his brand-new EP, Memory Palace, the first full-length project since his 2017 debut, Sun Mantra.

 

Due out this Friday 10 July, Memory Palace represents another journey into Humphrys' unique and infectiously upbeat songwriting style. Written and arranged off the coast of Alaska during his time working on a cruise ship, the four-track EP is the result of months spent isolated from the outside world.

 

The project's combination of creative lyricism and energetic instrumentation is yet another extension of Humphrys' now-trademark sound, and perfectly exemplifies his progress as an artist over the course of the last few years.

 

With just days to wait until the new EP lands, we caught up with James to talk Bristol influences, adaptation to life under lockdown and the inspiration for his latest release.

James Humphry's new EP, Memory Palace, is out Friday 10 July.

Memory Palace is out on Friday – what was the inspiration for the project?

 

The inspiration for the project began when I was away with my girlfriend, working as a musician in an acoustic duo on a cruise ship around Alaska. We didn’t have internet out there and there would be days where we’d obviously spend the majority of time at sea, so it was actually the ideal situation to sit down and write some music.

 

The ocean, the Alaskan landscapes and the scenery we experienced every day were expansive and completely freeing, but the monotony and regimental tendencies of ship life conflicted with those feelings. The EP embodies those influences and reflects on friendship, positivity and the time away.

 

How does the EP compare to your previous releases?

 

My overall sound has come a long way since my debut EP, even though I still really enjoy playing some of those songs live. My voice has come on a lot and I think I play it less safe and try not to worry about the small things as much now.

 

All of my previous releases have just been recorded in a bunch of different bedrooms over the years with a super minimal setup, so it's been a really fun and interesting process to work in a studio, with other people and a deadline to make something cool.

 

The workload was intense but that’s definitely how I like it - if we’re in the zone I just want to keep on going.

 

You’ve released two tracks from the EP already – ‘Colour’ and ‘All the Same’ – what’s the reaction been like so far?

 

So far, the reaction has been great. It’s obviously been a slightly stranger circumstance than usual but overall, the feedback and love have been brilliant. I’m just excited to get the whole EP out there.

 

It's been in the oven cooking in many different forms for a while so I’m just excited for people to hear the tracks. So far it's been cool to look over the stats for the last two singles - 'Colour' appears to have gone down a treat in Mexico, while a lot of people seem to be digging 'All The Same' in Israel. Madness!

 

 

What can people expect from a James Humphrys EP if they’ve never heard your music before?

 

When I listen back, I feel like each of the four tracks embody different things and different feelings, but together they represent a really cohesive and balanced release. Memory Palace is essentially a collection of songs that will get you up on your feet and take you away for 15 minutes.

 

Everyone I've played it to so far has a different favourite song (which is good news, I guess?). I'm really proud of it and I'll always have fond memories of making it.

 

Would you say Bristol influences your music at all?

 

I would definitely say Bristol has influenced my music. I moved here to study Songwriting at BIMM back in 2015 and when you’re in your early twenties, you’re already like a sponge ready to take everything in and be influenced as it is.

 

Living in a forward-thinking city surrounded by like-minded, creative individuals has definitely influenced me in a major way.

 

And do you take much inspiration from the music scene here?

 

I take and find inspiration in anything that connects with me and Bristol is all about that. The scene here is very diverse yet also feels very inclusive. I feel there’s room for anyone and lots of different subcultures and scenes scattered about, which is exactly what you want from a city when your aim is to nourish creativity and hone your craft.

 

 

How has the coronavirus outbreak affected Memory Palace

 

I guess it’s difficult to not find anything that the coronavirus outbreak hasn’t disrupted. At the start of lockdown when I got the track masters back, I was unsure whether or not to go ahead with the release or to push it back.

 

Music and new releases from my favourite artists have been a massive solace for me during lockdown, so I feel we need music now more than ever.

 

The main thing is obviously the collapse of live shows. I would have ideally put on a show for the EP release but we've had to put plans on hold - there might be room for a belated release party some time down the line.

 

The band and I had a few shows lined up but as of now, the only remaining show is with VC Pines in September at The Crofters Rights. It’ll be a proper goodun’!

 

What have you been up to during lockdown?

 

For the first month or so I was really making the most of time I could just spend making music without having to do anything else. I think the time at sea accidentally prepared me for this pandemic! Initially I was trying to improve and expand my production skills and techniques, aiming to record at least one idea or groove every day.

 

Eventually I had a bit more of a concrete plan on the release of this EP so for the past couple of months my energy has actually shifted towards promo and getting all the bits together. I think a lack of general distractions has served me well in terms of productivity - I’ve actually worked harder than before lockdown!

 

Outside of music, I’ve been getting into bird watching and gardening - I made a raised vegetable bed in my parents' garden, which was a nice little project to get stuck into.

 

What are you looking forward to most when life starts to return to normal?

 

I'm most looking forward to getting settled back again in Bristol with everyone, but I'm being cautious to not look too far ahead. An artist I've really gotten into over lockdown is Alice Phoebe Lou, so if she finds her way over to the UK at some point in the future, I’d love to catch her show.

 

James Humphrys' new EP, Memory Palace, is due for release on Friday 10 July. Find it on Spotify or head to James' Facebook page for news and updates.


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Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.