Downtown Kids: David James Album Review and Interview
David James had a busy summer playing stages and putting together his new EP, Downtown Kids, to share with the country music world.
We’ve listened to the album (a few times) and had the chance to catch up with David on the phone as he prepared for the album launch, a new single release, and the video to go along with it. To say he’s a busy guy would be an understatement.
I asked David about the summer, and making a record while working a busy road schedule, and he told us that it was both nuts and exciting.
The recording was done with producer Dan Swinimer (Madeline Merlo, Jojo Mason) in his studio at his home. David told us about the experience and being made to feel like part of the family. It sounds like a pretty great way to make a record – comfortable, relaxed, and with experience.
The resulting album is a lot of fun packed into 18 minutes. The six songs work together for a listening experience that will work for listeners, and should work very well for David James too. The new single, and lead track on the EP, Sun Set On It is quick hitting, and the kind of song that makes you want to dance in your sock feet at home. There are shades of the things we love about Dan Davidson here, and that ain’t a bad thing. David’s voice works in the song – it’s a banger – and we’re into it.
Fans and country radio listeners may already be familiar with two of the songs on the EP, with What If I Don’t and Later already hitting the airwaves with releases earlier in 2017. Both songs are a great fit for James, and we’re certain that we’ll be seeing people sing along to them the next time we see him on a stage performing.
Six songs is about five fewer than we wish we were listening to on Downtown Kids… but here’s hoping that this means we’re not going to have a long wait before the next project from the Manitoba boy comes to us!
While we were on the phone we also touched on working with his new producer, having the chance to play at home, and we played a round of 5 Quick Questions with the Manitoba country singer.
5 Quick Questions with David James
Q1) What album can you play on repeat without skipping songs?
David: The Very Best of the Eagles
2) What is your favourite Tragically Hip song?
David: Blow At High Dough
David also said that he loves Ahead By A Century, but the band has been playing Blow At High Dough forever and he’s pretty sure he loves it most.
Q3) What is your favourite late night fast food joint?
David: Johnny G’s in Winnipeg – open til 4am.
Q3b) Go to menu item?
David: Chicken Fingers
David asserts that he is a chicken finger connoisseur and Johnny G’s has the best in the world.
Q4) Did you have a childhood nickname?
David: DJ
Nothing fancy or complicated, but it gets the job done.
Q5) What artist do you think people should be listening to more, or paying more attention to?
David: Canadian country as a whole.
David told us how much he believes in the talent in Canada, and that we should all be pushing for more exposure and celebration of the music coming from our home country.
Big thanks once again to David James for taking the time to catch up, we’re hoping to see him again soon, and we’ll be here to tell you all about it.
David James, Downtown Kids Tracklist
1. Sun Set On It
2. Staring At Stars
3. Turn Me On
4. Downtown Kids
5. What If I Don’t
6. Later
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