Five Questions with James Blonde – Kingston Concert June 24
Article by Jason Setnyk | Submitted Photo
Kingston, Ontario – Music fans in Kingston are set for a treat as the renowned band James Blonde gears up to deliver a captivating performance at The Mansion in Kingston on at Saturday, June 24, where they will be joined by the talented band Lost In Japan.
Comprising the musical talents of Phil, Steph, and Neil, James Blonde has established itself as a force to be reckoned with. Hailing from Niagara Falls, the band entered the music scene on New Year’s Eve in 2017, opening for Sam Roberts Band and Serena Ryder. Their new album titled “Chameleon”, produced by Juno award winner Gus Van Go, came out March 31st and is available both digitally and in physical form.
Describing their sound as one that resonates through generations, James Blonde effortlessly combines elements of rock, pop, and soul. Drawing inspiration from acclaimed bands like Muse, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, Billy Talent, and MGMT, James Blonde takes listeners on an emotional journey with their confessional songwriting, high-octane rock guitar, electric pop grooves, funky basslines, and impeccable musicianship. The following questions were answered by Neil Carson.
Five Questions with The Seeker
1 – What are your musical strengths, and what areas do you want to improve?
“My main strength in music has always been melody, harmony, and chord progressions. My brain just seems to understand that language well. Learning or writing with these three elements is always like a fun puzzle. I love the colour, emotion, and tension/release it brings to the music. Considering how important melody is to me, I have also developed a pretty reliable vocal pitch. However, I would like to develop my rhythmic side. I’m not as naturally creative with rhythms and time signatures. That and jamming/improvising. I can learn things quickly and play consistently, but I could not keep up with a jam band that extends songs live with drawn-out solos and stuff. I wish I had that intuition in me.”
2 – Which instrument is your favourite to play and why?
“In the past few years, I’ve started to love playing piano. When I first learned “Martha My Dear” by the Beatles through a tutorial on YouTube, it was the most excited I had been about music in a long time. So much fun. It’s also a very liberating instrument creatively. It doesn’t come with the drawbacks of guitar, where you fall into the same chord and melody structures after a while. It can help you think outside the box melodically and harmonically, whether that’s with intent or by happy accident. I look forward to writing and recording more original music with piano.”
3 – Are there any musicians who inspire you? What qualities do you admire about them?
“Anyone who knows me knows that the Beatles have always inspired me. They evolved incredibly quickly through their eclectic career. Their songs are always creative and memorable. Their lyrics are great, whether it’s fictional storytelling, vulnerable confessions, vivid psychedelic imagery, or just kooky fun. The problem now is that I hold a high standard for my songwriting. I was always bummed out I hadn’t written my “Yesterday” by age 23. These days I admire bands who carry their torch in my eyes, such as Tame Impala or Arctic Monkeys.”
4 – What’s your process for dealing with performance anxiety?
“Unfortunately, there is no easy way to deal with anxiety. Anxiety only became an issue for me in recent years after much experience on stage without problems. So, a lot of it is just reminding yourself it is all psychological. You are actually safe, healthy, and capable. If it is severe, I would recommend cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which there are free resources for in Ontario, and anti-depressant/anxiety medication. It will also require an incredible amount of patience and courage. Neil Carson from James Blonde believes in you!”
5 – Tell us about an upcoming concert or tour.
“We will be touring through 2023 to promote our new album “Chameleon,” which is available now on our website for download. We will play Kingston, Ontario, on Saturday, June 24th, at The Mansion. Our fans are always ready to sing along to our songs and party hard. We can’t wait!”
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