James Durbin: Era 2.0

[Miguel]

Excerpts from an interview with James:

CrypticRock.com - Most contestants which have appeared on American Idol have been open to ridicule in public opinion... With that said, do you think it is sometimes difficult to find acceptance with fans in the rock genre?

James Durbin - Yes and no. I think more so when American Idol was happening, it’s been 3 years, I was a little bit more concerned with it. Now I am not really concerned. If people want to like me that’s great. These days I am trying to win people over with songwriting. I am focused more on writing songs. I am trying to get better at that because your voice can go away at anytime, but your ability to write songs and craft a good hook will never go away.

CrypticRock.com - ...you are ready to release your sophomore album Celebrate in April of this year. The first single “Parachute” is very catchy. What can fans expect from the rest of the album?

James Durbin - There are definitely more songs like it, in sense of pop hooks and pop sounds. Then there are the heavy hitting songs. I definitely want to go for a melodic overall record. I felt like on the first record there were a lot of downer songs and minor keys. I wanted to bring it up and put it in a major key. I just wanted to have something I could smile to. I kind of find that hard, singing songs from the first record. Even the title Memories of a Beautiful Disaster. I am done being a disaster, or having my life be portrayed that way. Now I am just focusing on having a good time and being happy for what I do have.

CrypticRock.com - Did you have the clear intent of making this more of a mix of pop and harder rock album going into the writing and recording?

James Durbin - When we set out to make the record in 2012 we were in Nashville. We were working with James Michael at his house for 2 1/2 months and wrote 40 songs there. Some of them were absolutely spectacular, some not so much. Not every song was a hit. So we kind of re-gathered ourselves and listened to those songs. We didn’t have a record that we felt really worked. If it was 2003 or 2004 it would have been. You have to think a little differently these days if you want to sell records and have your record label be stoked on you. We kind of regrouped and looked at some different songwriters which I hadn’t written with. Leaning a little bit more pop, less in the sense of Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance. I can’t really compare it to anything. I guess there are little hints of Muse in it which I love doing. There are other hints of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, MGMT, and a dash of Justin Timberlake. I went to a little more of a catchy radio friendly route. There are definitely songs that still hit hard, some songs are dance-like, and rocking with plenty of aggression put into it. There are songs like “You Can’t Believe” and “You’re Not Alone” which are fun, big anthem-like rock songs. There are also your heart on your sleeve songs like “Issues” and “Real Love” along with party songs like “Celebrate” and “Children Under the Sun”. It’s a much more well rounded record than the first.

CrypticRock.com - It does sound very dynamic. It’s clear you draw strong influence from rock and metal. I’d like to know what are some of your most significant musical influences?

James Durbin - After I say this there is kind of no point in saying anyone else, but The Beatles. That is where I learned to craft songs and melody. That is where I learned to give the drums, guitar, and bass their own part. They are all there and playing something different. They are all playing something that makes each member stand out, but it all works as a whole. I just love that. They were just so well rounded; from rock to country, to folk, to blues, and everything in between. They definitely broke free of genres. That is something that is coming full circle these days. Genre doesn’t really matter these days. That is why I wanted to make a record that defies genres.

CrypticRock.com - From your time now being involved in the music industry what is one of the biggest things you learned?

James Durbin - I think it’s not all the glitz and glamour you dreamed of when you were a kid. I have been asked this question a lot lately and I give the same answer because I want people who want to get into the music industry to understand, to study the ins and outs of the music industry. If you have these dreams of cars, houses, 6 record deals, and all this other stuff, it’s not that at all, it really isn’t it. Once you see how sad, painful, and fucked up it all is, if you are still into it and it’s the only thing you can see yourself doing regardless of the ins and outs. It literally hurts me inside to think of what my life would be without being in the music industry; without being an artist, putting music out there, playing shows, touring, and selling merchandise. If it really hurts you to want it, then do it, welcome to the club. Like everyone else in the music industry, we know how it is. We know it can suck sometimes, but you take all that and set it aside because you wanted to be a musician so you can play shows, so people can hear your music, so you can be an artist and recognized for your craft and artwork. It’s like any other artist, that is what it’s about. Unfortunately you have to support your family and think about the future. For the time being, live in the now and make good music or shitty demos and enjoy it.

http://crypticrock.com/interview-james-durbin/


"...live in the now and make good music or shitty demos and enjoy it."


I think "good music or shitty demos" suggests he is adopting the course Sia is taking and that Haley might be as well: Make a living writing (crappy) songs for others and make music you like for yourself. It makes a lot of sense since a writer makes more from royalties than a performer.