Author: Kat Skaris
Date: 2008-03-31


Interview:
There are few places New York City based singer/songwriter Derek James hasn't been. Performing live for the very first time in Australia, James soon found himself paving his way through the streets and clubs of Southern France with an assembled band of French musicians in toe, playing these catchy original compositions that were constantly bouncing around in his head. His music encompasses his experiences, and his experiences have been anything but ordinary. Stray, James' debut album, was written in the basement of a family's home in the suburbs of New York, where he worked as a live-in nanny after returning from Europe. Unusual job yes, but you name it and he's probably done it - bar mitzvah and wedding video's editor, spa package salesmen, and once even passed out bottled water at malls to name a few. FanBolt's Kat Skaris had the honor of sitting down with Derek James, and here's what he had to say:

Influences?

In no particular order: Bob Dylan, Josh Rouse, Martin Sexton, Prince, Queen, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, David Gray, Roberto Benigni, Martin Scorcese, John Starks, Neil Young, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jaymay, M, Pink Martini, Lynard Skynard, Tom Robbins, the woods, Australia, France, Thailand, Sugar, People, n more...

If you could tour with any band or artist (dead/alive) who would it be?

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - in a heartbeat. Petty's great songs are endless and timeless. The band boasts an all-star cast with Mike Campbell on guitar (favorite lead player), Steve Ferrone on the drums (hits like no other, an amazing pocket), Benmont and the rest. Petty knows how to put on a rock show and is a road warrior. Would love to open for him and soak up as many stories, wisdom, vibes as I could get!

What artists have you shared the stage with?

OKGo, Ben Kweller, M.O.E., Blues Traveler, Sugar Ray, Matt White, Alexa Ray Joel, Switchfoot, Jesse McCartney, Pete Francis (Dispatch), Eric Hutchinson, KC & the Sunshine Band!