1. Could you please tell where are you from? Where were you born?
James: I was born in Eastbourne, Sussex. My parents were
both English.
2. What is your education? Where did you study?
James: I studied in a preparatory school in Eastbourne,
where my father also taught music and languages, and the school
choir. Later I went to Harrow School. I wasn't hugely enthused
about the whole public school thing, but I played drums in a rock
band trio there called "Waste of Time".
3. Who has influenced you most in your music and why?
James: I was a huge fan of the Who. It was therefore a
great boost and honor for me when Pete Townshend asked me down
to his studio, and offered to produce my first single. I also
then went on to play drums on his
Empty Glass album. But lots
of other music influenced me too - classical - especially Chopin,
Debussy, Holst and Scarlatti for example. I've always been fascinated
by drums of all kinds and this has gone on to the present day.
4. Your albums are rather different between each other.
"Dance Of The Light" is a healing meditative "keyboard"
music.
"Tigers Of The Raj" belongs to the world music
with a strong percussion section. Towards to which genre of music
do you gravitate and why?
James: Towards any that draws me at a time. The rich diversities
of music exist as a reflection of the richness of the planet itself.
Any rigid sticking to any small area robs one's perception of
the whole which is broad.
5. What are your musical preferences?
James: Although it is easiest for a record company if an
artist only has one identifiable style, the realities are often
rather different, even if not publicly known. I like world music,
especially rhythmically oriented. I also enjoy spacey thoughtful
music, and get very absorbed creating both of these two genres.
6. Among the musicians released by "New Earth Records"
there are a lot of "Friends of Osho" who are living in
Poona, India. Have you any relations with Osho, that music and
those people?
James: I have not been to Poona, nor very familiar with
the teachings of Osho. The Osho followers I have met are nice
people, with nothing to distinguish as being very different to
any other people. In spiritual circles, you might say "All
Roads lead to Rome."(Apart from the ones that lead to Hades!)
7. What has inspired you to create
"Dance Of The Light"?
What is the concept of this album?
James: The music was written to accompany meditations given
by Mike Booth of Aura-Soma. The last track was composed as a live
duet with the dawn chorus at the beautiful home of Aura-Soma in
Tetford, Lincolnshire. This is deep in the English countryside,
and delightfully attuned to nature
8. What is the concept of
"Tigers Of The Raj"?
James: A romantic view of India. Having been to Rajasthan
and been inspired by the highly colorful and majestic history
of the palaces etc., I wanted to create music to capture the splendor
that was and indeed is.
9. What does your music mean to you?
James: Music is a natural and intuitive means of expression
for me. It encompasses all the range of mysteries of relating
to the muses, and what they wish to inspire me to write.
10. What do you want to pass on to your listeners through your
music?
James: Hope, imagination, vision, optimism and love.
11. What concepts are you expressing in your creative work?
James: It varies of course with the project in hand. My
music relates a lot to different atmospheres and energies. I feel
a good piece of music is one that takes you on a journey. Having
listened to it, you aware of having moved on somewhere else through
the process of absorbing the music.
James: What are you working on now?
James: Recovering from jet lag after a two week visit to
the States! For some reason it's really hard making the journey
back this way. I will be starting soon on
"Feet in the Soil 2". I'm excited to be resuming this area, which I find very
exciting
12. What are your interests in life?
James: Walking, nature, the sea, cinema, drumming, the
internet, new technology, drum circles, new age philosophies,
reading, theater, travel etc............
13. What religious and philosophical views are you close to?
James: Any that are open and don't become too dogmatic.
Live and let live.
14. What is your spiritual search?
James: Ongoing and persisting. It's not like somewhere
you arrive at and stop. The process of searching is like being
in gear in itself, and your motor is running.........
15. Are you practicing any spiritual exercises (techniques)?
James: Breathing, when I remember
16. Do you belong to a particular religion?
James: If you call a participation in the whole planet
as a holistic entity yes, otherwise no.
17. What is important for you to express in your music?
James: Positive energy, humor, vibrance and sometimes mystery
18. What long-term goals do you have in your life?
James: To continue to have fun, to write the best music
I can, and live life to the full.
19. What is the new age music in your view?
James: I don't have strong feelings about this title. Music
is music, and it's as good and strong as the energies and intentions
that go into it, whatever genre it's in.
20. How could you define it?
James: I wouldn't try, as it holds no great promise as
a name.
21. Could you please tell me about your meetings with Craig Pruess
and Al Gromer Khan, and also about your mutual work on the album
"Tigers Of The Raj?"
James: Craig Pruess was someone I'd known for a few years
- just as a friend who had similar musical tastes, and had produced
some great sounding music. I knew he had a passion for Indian
music and had studied sitar for quite some years. I contacted
him halfway through the creation of "Tigers of the Raj."
He was very sensitive and helpful in making suggestions for arrangements
of the tracks, and he played some great sitar and also some brilliant
keyboards. He is bubbly and vibrant, and was a very positive force
in providing supportive energy at a stage where I had almost lost
the plot with the project- as it had gone on for so long. He made
a great contribution to the album and he is a warm and caring
individual.
I met Al first in Munich when I went to discuss the album project
that would become Tigers with Bhikkhu and Waduda of New Earth
Records, who at that time still lived in Germany (they now live
in Colorado). Al was immediately engaging as a personality - passionate
about his music, and the holder of profound values in his approach
to music. He visited England a few months later and I invited
him over for tea. He came with his sitar. We jammed together and
I got a feel for the tempo and key he liked. I wrote a piece for
him to play on, and he returned soon after and played some sitar.
It was quite amazing - the emotional intensity and deeply expressive
performance he gave were totally inspiring. He is a sweet guy,
and I count myself lucky to know him.
