James Durbin: Era 2.0

[Miguel]

Some upcoming tour dates for James:

http://www.durbinrock.com/tour-dates/

Wonder how he will mix up the old and the new.

---

Picture taken by Casey's dad:

caseybassy
I walk into my own house and see you playing this. Thee weirdest shit I've ever seen!

durbinrock
@caseybassy I love you Case

durbinrock
@caseybassy hahaha I brought your folks wine & chocolate & they insisted I stayed and party with them

caseybassy
Always a good run in wth the durbs

[Outcast]

Hi Miguel!

Thanks so much for updating this thread on my behalf. Been so hectic at work lately and I'm even working on Xmas day. Things will go back to normal for me from Jan.

[lauraliz]

That's really cool - James partying with Casey's folks. James & Casey have really stayed close friends.

The other day James posted his new dog on instagram. He adopted a 12 yr old dog from a shelter. I think it's terrific that he rescued a senior dog. The older dogs usually have a tough time getting forever homes and their fate is a sad one. Shelters are filled up for many reasons including the new landlord rule in some cities about certain breeds which are considered "dangerous". Renters are now being forced to find other housing or get rid of their dogs in short order. Doesn't matter that most of these dogs are loving family pets. As more dogs come in to the pound--others are put down--especially the ones who they don't think will be adopted.

Kudos to James & Heidi

[Miguel]

Hi Miguel!

Thanks so much for updating this thread on my behalf. Been so hectic at work lately and I'm even working on Xmas day. Things will go back to normal for me from Jan.

Hi, Outcast.

Hope you're doing okay.

Saw this linked elsewhere:

Durbin is on tour with Kelley James and tells the crowd at tonight's show that this is his warm up on the first night of the two month national tour it kicks off.

Durbin's intimate three man band performance includes recently released pop rock single "Parachute" which he almost has to play on a guitar "without a g string" as he jokes. Popping strings on stage is all part of the life of a rock star and in true professional fashion, Durbin tries to roll with it. He calls out to friend "Noah" for help and in a flash "Noah" pulls through, finding Durbin's black jeep--a lock easy to pick jokes Durbin--grabbing his other guitar and delivering it to the stage. With replacement guitar in hand, James Durbin treats the crowd to a rousing presentation of "Parachute" with a confidence the American Idol alum has clearly mastered.

34 seconds of Parachute:



http://lifeofarockstar.com/new_music/con...tcebs.dpuf

[Outcast]

Hi Miguel, just fine and dandy. First day off in 2 weeks, so lotsa catching up to do.

Thanks for posting that review and he sounds great in that clip. He's on an acoustic tour until the end of February so if anyone's interested in seeing him live here's the tour schedule:

http://www.durbinrock.com/tour-dates/

It's the Durb's 25th birthday today too.

[Miguel]

A day late but...Happy Birthday, James.

25 is still plenty young.

The next 10 ought to be interesting.

[Outcast]

New song!

Children Under the Sun:

[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.

[cherelann]

^^^^^

I must say I am very impressed with James' positive attitude. He seems to have his head in the right place...and who woulda thunk that he and Haley both consider the Beatles their strongest influence.

[Tusk]

James has always credited the Beatles as his primary influence