From Amersham to the O2 Academy: Kent musician using music to cope with grief

In less than two months time, Kent-based singer-songwriter James Kemsley will be taking to the stage at the o2 Academy Islington, supporting soft-rock band Toploader.

James’ collection of indie tracks first hit streaming platforms in 2020, with his single Banker Lamp one of seven songs in his roster.

His love of music stemmed from childhood, hearing worship at church and soaking up the songs that his parents would listen to. A passion for songwriting developing later in life, with James taking inspiration from industry icons including Frank Ocean and Damon Albarn.

But songwriting has also been an escape mechanism for him, after tragically losing his best friend aged just 22.

The singer spoke exclusively to Kent Buzz about his journey to the o2, and how his friend Michael lives on through his music.

What made you decide to get into music in the first place?

That’s a tricky one. I’m not sure I can really pinpoint one factor of why I got into music. I played piano from a young age, I went to church where there was always music. My family offered me a whole range of music exposure from my youth. Then really in my teens and when I got older, I fell in love with songwriting. So I’ve been spoiled really. Music has become a necessity in my life and definitely a way of expression.

Where do you get your inspiration from for songwriting?

My songs always start from lyrics that I write down on my phone in the notes. I often have my best waves of inspiration when travelling and reading. For example, I wrote most of the lyrics to my upcoming single Men Without Women whilst actually reading the book Men Without Women by the Japanese author Murakami on a plane journey. It’s a book of short, compelling tragic love stories. One of the stories resonated with me particularly about a plastic surgeon called Dr Tokai. There was also a lady sitting next to me on the plane, and she had long acrylic nails. They were tapping really loudly on the phone, so I wrote the lyrics ‘nails drumming screens like rain hitting water’. So it could be anything really. It’s a feeling of adrenaline when all the lyrics come to me. It’s like they’re coming from a part of my brain that I don’t really have control of. It’s my job to quickly write the notes down so I don’t forget it, but it’s really fun when it happens, and it’s kind of magic because I can’t control it. I just know when it’s coming I need to make the most of it, I suppose.

What song of yours means the most to you?

This would be the single I released last year called Michael. This is a song about my best friend who died at 22 after being hit by a car. He was more of a brother really to me. So the song Michael is both exploring my anger and my pain and my frustration in the early days of my grief. But it’s also sort of a promise to Michael that I will live life to the fullest and do the most I can for him and for me, as if it’s sort of him on the journey with me.

How did you react to finding out you’d be supporting Toploader at the o2 Academy?

It was great news, it was really exciting, and we’re really looking forward to it, me and the band. We’re really grateful to all my friends and family, to all the people that have come to my gigs in the past, and I’m really looking forward to putting on a good show. It’s also a good opportunity here to share my music with strangers.

How did it come about?

A booking agent heard one of my songs on BBC Introducing, I think about a year ago. They got into contact with me about doing a gig at the Amersham Arms in London. I sold it out, it went really well, so I got offered to do this gig supporting Toploader at the O2 Academy Islington.

Who are your role models/inspirations in the industry?

Okay, I really love this question. Of course there’s a whole list I could do, a massive rant, but for me it always comes back to Frank Ocean, for his ability to tell a story in his lyrics, in such a poetic but also an accessible way. The Strokes because they made me want to be a rockstar, to write songs that get people moving, and for the way Julian Casablancas is able to control crowds so simply. But lastly, and most importantly, is Damon Albarn. For everything he’s done for music: Blur, The Gorillas, his songwriting, his anthems, and the whole range of collaborations he’s done. He’s worked with so many different artists from so many different genres, and I have the utmost respect and envy for him and of him. He has the best job in the world.

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James Kemsley was speaking ahead of his performance supporting Toploader at the O2 Academy Islington on Saturday 4th March.