The future is bright for James TW, after heading out on tour with the mighty Shawn Mendes, 2016 has been his year. We caught up with James backstage at his headline show at Dingwalls in Camden to chat all things 2017, and what we can expect from his live shows.
Hey James! You’re back on the road again, how does that feel?
It feels great to be back on tour, especially as it’s my first headline tour. It has a very unique and different feeling to the other shows I’ve done.
What can your fans expect from these upcoming shows?
This tour is going to be unique because there is going to be music that people haven’t heard yet. They are going to hear this unreleased music before anyone else and I find this the best way to test how people will respond to it. I love playing new songs live and getting that immediate reaction.
What song are you most excited to play on this tour?
There is a song called ‘Ex’ that I am going to play on the piano. I’m very excited about that one.
Your EP ‘First Impressions’ has done amazingly well, what was your favourite song to write?
It is definitely ‘When You Love Someone’. The perspective and topic of it is so unique. It came from a very organic place, I was teaching young kids how to play instruments and I found out a boy’s parents were getting divorced. I wrote this song for him.
What can your fans expect next?
After the tour, I am going to relax with my family and have a nice Christmas. In the New Year, there will definitely be more touring, both supporting and headlining. The album will also be out next year which is a big step in my career. I’m sure there will be a bunch of surprises coming their way too.
We’re going to hit you with some quick fire questions. Firstly, who is your biggest inspiration when it comes to songwriting?
John Mayer
Who would you like to work with?
Tori Kelly
Handwritten or Illuminate?
Illuminate
If you could get a tattoo of one of your lyrics, what would it be and where would you get it?
Oh no, I don’t know. It would be really short and small, somewhere on my hand.
What is your favourite song right now?
It is called ‘Location’. I’m not sure who it is by but it is on the Spotify R&B playlist.
We’ve gathered a few questions from your fans on Twitter, too. @JamesTwHolland asks when and will you be touring Europe?
I am hoping it will be sometime in the New Year.
@Cherryxhoran asks when we will have our James TW album?
Next year! I am hoping around summer time.
@H0NESTMENDESS has asked what was your best memory from touring with Shawn?
We played a lot of ping pong. I remember feeling like I got a lot better at playing ping pong.
@toriquickk asks has there been a stand out moment for you in your career so far?
There has been plenty of things this year that have been such special moments for me. I think performing a mash-up with Shawn at the Air Canada Centre was definitely a highlight.
@Illuminatesoph wants to know what is the best thing a fan has done for you?
There has been lovely fan art that I have been given. I also love receiving letters. I think when someone writes something really honest, telling you how a song has helped them is a really special feeling.
A lot of fans have been asking if you will be supporting Shawn on tour next year?
I honestly don’t know yet. He hasn’t chosen but we’ll see.
Well, we hope he chooses you, James!