Interview - Lucy James
Lucy James, welcome to Image 34 and Spill the Tea magazine. You are the first artist to be featuring on both sides, congrats! Getting right into it, when did you first discover you wanted to make music?
Thank you so much for having me, and what an honour that is!
I’m not exactly sure of the moment I discovered my love for music, but I think my fearless toddler-aged self knew exactly what she was doing. My earliest approach to music was definitely having fun, whether I was teaching myself harmonies by singing along to Madonna CD’s in the car, re-writing nursery rhymes (in my head, because I couldn’t write), or twirling around with a corded microphone, getting tangled mid-performance and being completely unfazed by it. I found so much love and curiosity for music at a pretty early age, and I was always emotionally absorbed by whatever I was listening to.
I actively sat down and wrote my first “song” when I was nine years old- understandably it was pretty awful, and only consisted of a vocal melody and merely rhyming lyrics, but in reflection it was such a healing process, to be able to convey all of my questions, fears and excitements about life through something that felt bigger than myself. From there I was completely fascinated with how music was constructed to be so emotionally transcendent, so I started teaching myself how to play piano, and then any other instrument I could get my hands on followed! I just continued to spend my spare time sitting in my room writing one song after another for years on end, and I think the fact that this was the only consistency and real grounding technique I had in my childhood, was what made me realise that was what I wanted to do forever.
What is your process when making music and how involved do you like to be in the process?
For me, the process of making music can be a bit of a mixed bag. I find that 90% of the time when an idea pops into my head, it'll likely be either a lead or backing vocal melody, or a few lines of lyrics (or both if I'm really feeling it), then I'll proceed to explore that on the piano, before delving into a bassline, and then fleshing out all my extra rhythmic and harmonic layers through whatever palette of instruments I’m envisioning. Strangely enough this can often be influenced by a colour scheme that I’m imagining the tonal qualities of my composition to reflect- I think I know whatever I’ve written is doing its job if it’s very synaesthetic and visually translatable too.
With regards to my solo material, I’m absolutely the type of creative who likes to direct and fine-tune every aspect of my creative process- so I do all of the musical and lyrical composition, arrangement and production independently. In terms of the instrumental performance, I often enlist the help of my very talented foster dad to accompany me on the drums or guitar (which is an absolute privilege)! Whenever my music is at the mixing/mastering stage, I’ll then hand it over to an engineer. This is largely because mixing music is the thing I have least experience with, but also because I’m a hypercritical perfectionist (also known as a capricorn), so listening to any of my work as much as a mixing/mastering engineer needs to, desensitises me from the original love and meaning I felt in my work to start with.
How would you describe your music?
In terms of categorising my music by genre conventions, I think my sound will always continue to develop and grow, so my answer will be very different in a year’s time, or maybe even in a few months time. However, currently I think I’m best described by a blend of soft pop acoustics, soul ballad inspired vocal stylings and ambient jazz chord voicings. My artistry is ultimately focused on the aspects of storytelling, and in its deepest intention, I would describe my music as an invitation to feel emotionally validated. I create music to better understand the world, and perform it to connect, and build a safe space where our defining moments as individuals are open to become a shared experience.
“My artistry is ultimately focused on the aspects of storytelling, and in its deepest intention, I would describe my music as an invitation to feel emotionally validated.”
Your new single Cloudy Vision is out now, describe the single to us.
I’m so excited it’s out! Cloudy Vision is an ambient pop track, driven by lyrical and harmonic storytelling. It’s a reflection of how so many of us are chronic over-thinkers- we can often revert to analysing and micromanaging ourselves in moments of doubt, to the extent that it can be pretty difficult to enjoy our own company. This song became five minutes of mindfulness for me, as a reminder of the parts of myself that have the introspect to drive forward and keep going, even when my conscious mind is stressed out, worried or alone. I really hope this song can act as a healer for anyone needing to re-ignite the hope in themselves, after the crazy year we’ve been through.
What were the inspirations behind the track?
Contextually speaking, I wrote Cloudy Vision back in 2019, during a time where I was really impatient and frustrated with myself. I had been so busy working on the final year of my degree studies, but I was also feeling a complete emotional disconnect and overwhelming doubt that I wasn’t where I was supposed to be. It felt like life was constantly getting in the way of me being able to enjoy the little things (little did I know what 2020 would have in store). I constantly and unhelpfully reminded myself that it had taken so much hard work, emotional energy and sacrifice to get where I was, and under no conscious control of my own, I felt like I was wasting it. The day I wrote this song, I began recognising so many of the psychological patterns that developed as a result of my care experience, living through the lens of mental illness and being closeted for most of my life, and how those patterns didn’t serve me anymore. Cloudy Vision is inspired by the healthy reminder to navigate your mind with kindness- to know that even though your difficult moments may seem so definitive, they are so temporary.
Describe the track in 3 words and 1 emoji!
Astrological Queer Pop 🌌
Can fans expect more music from you?
Absolutely! I can announce that as part of my freelance composition work, I’ll be scoring Derby Theatre’s stage adaptation of ‘Home Girl’, an award winning novel about care experience, by the incredibly talented Alex Wheatle MBE. It’s a narrative that’s very close to my heart as I am also care experienced, and I’m so honoured to be part of such an incredible production. I’m also working on a lot of other exciting things as we speak (solo project included), and I can’t wait to be able to share them all with you!
Your Instagram proudly boast that you are Queer. When did you first realise you identified with the queer community?
I knew I definitely wasn’t straight relatively early in my highschool experience. I didn’t understand many of the other girls’ constant desire to be dating boys (I would talk myself into fake crushes and dates to try and avoid what was inevitable) but I didn’t come out to any degree until I was about 17. The labels I’ve used have changed as I’ve grown up and realised what fits me best, and it feels like a weight off to be so open about it. For a long time I wasn’t necessarily in the safest environment to come out, but when I started connecting with our wonderful queer community and all the potential we have to offer, it really helped me find the people I trusted most, and extend my chosen family.
Do you think being Queer influences the music you make?
Definitely- I’ve been encouraged by seeing and hearing so many wonderful and proud queer artists, who voice a range of LGBTQ+ experiences, allowing all of us to feel more represented and welcomed into the world by what they do. Whether that’s through music, theatre, literature, film, or any form of creativity- every facet and outlet of sharing LGBTQ+ stories is fundamental to reach a place of greater normalisation. I feel very privileged to be in a space and time where I can proudly speak on my identity and beliefs, and I’m so conscious of the fact that so many queer people live their lives without having the space, time or support to feel the same way. My goal is to give those people especially a space to feel that they’re as important and valid as they truly are.
We briefly spoke about this when we jumped into your DM’s when discussing the feature together, but please tell everyone your long-term goal as a composer.
In the long term, my goal is to compose music for drag performers- whether that’s writing for studio material, scoring for theatre or film projects, or writing arrangements for live accompaniment- anything, I’m there! Witnessing drag as an artform has helped me understand my identity, navigate being queer and find confidence. Going to drag shows (before these strange times we’re in) felt like a safe space for me- I’ve been so lucky to meet many wonderful friends through our love of drag shows, so I have everything to thank drag artists for. It would really be an honour to be able to contribute towards their work, and support their artistry in the best way I can!
Now we have to know top 3 Drag Queens, go!
This question is SO difficult for me as I feel like I have more of a Top 20, but my musical interest means I tend to connect most with the queens who are also vocalists, musicians or in musical theatre, so with that in mind- my top 3 would be Jinkx Monsoon, Ginger Minj and Shea Couleé.
If you could work with one Queen right now on a track who would it be and why?
It would have to be Jinkx- they have released two albums in particular, in collaboration with Major Scales, which really inspired me to be creative with my storytelling, arrangements and influences. They have an incredible way of articulating such a range of important topics (gender identity, sexuality, love, loss and growth) through the lens of their stylistic influences, their undeniably powerful voice, and a perfect blend of humour and unfiltered sincerity. Jinkx and Major are both ridiculously talented and I will always return to their music!
Any last shout outs?
Shoutout to my wonderful chosen family!! You all inspire, encourage and invest in my talent endlessly and I’m so excited to be able to give you something to remember. Also for my care experienced audience, check out the resources and online community space created by The Young People’s Network (@CareExp_YPN on Twitter). We hold an open conversation on the first monday of every month called #CareConvos, for those who have experienced any angle of the care system, and those who wish to learn more about it.
