Nate James Interview

Suffolk born Nate James burst onto the scene in 2005 with his debut album Set The Tone which sold 125,000 copies worldwide earning him two MOBO nominations for Best Newcomer and Best R&B Artist.Since this early success the 28 year old soul singer/songwriter has been quiet for the last 18 months but is set to return later this month with a new album.How different was it recording the second album compared to recording the first?It wasn't alot different I recorded all of the vocals in 6 days. This time around I managed to grab a holiday and as soon as I got back my manager said I had to get into the studio. I did alot of the backing vocals to. It was a more enjoyable experience I wasn't being told to record this, this and this I could do my own thing.Where did you get the title Kingdom Falls?From the first single. It was based on my experience in Rwanda/ It's just a song that makes you think you know what if you had built a kingdom for yourself only to have everything you own ripped away like what happened in the genocide in Rwanda.What was it like recording in the studio where Michael Jackson's Thriller was recorded?Unfortunately it was only mixed in LA and I wasn't there which was a shame. The producer was really experienced he had worked with the likes of Dr Dre so I knew the album was in good hands. I could have done with a nice trip to LA.

Who is your inspiration?

Anyone from Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Prince they are all artists that like to push the boundaries of their music.

What were the MOBO's like in 2005?

It was good 2005 was the year when I broke threw and reached the public but I had been doing things before that. So being nominated was a stepping stone to reaching a wider audience. It was great being nominated alongside people like Mriah Carey and John Legend.

Frofunk is your own label? Why go with n independent label? What are the pros and cons?

I set up Frofunk when the label I was on previously was taken over I was given the choice to stay or recieve a pay off. I decided if I took the money then I could set up my own label. I had offeres from other companies. I had been with both major and independent labels before.

Everything I earn goes back into my company so I don't have billions and billions of pounds to spend on billboards of myself. But I'm not anyone's puppet. Having my own label has enabled me to learn about the industry, the business and the side of the industry.

What are you doing to promote the album?

I'm performing at Scala in London on 14 June then there's all the regular stuff such as radio promotion and interviews all the normal stuff then I'm performing in Europe. It's all got to be done.

Nate James' new album Kingdom Falls is avaliable from 18th June.

Helen Earnshaw

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