INTERVIEW: Loraine James — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Loraine James

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I know a few artists who mix disparate genres…

and make it hang together – few do it with the same skill and beauty as Loraine James. She tells me about her new album, Detail, and what themes/stories went into the songs. I find out about her influences and how the London-based artist has progressed. She reveals her road into music and whether there is more material afoot; what her songwriting process involves – and the new artists she recommends.

James talks about her background and upbringing; the great venues/locations she has played in already – and what she has planned for the remainder of the year.

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Hi, Loraine. How are you? How has your week been?

I’m good thanks.

Just chilly for the most of it. Haha. Job-hunting: that lovely kind of thing

For those new to your work; can you introduce yourself, please?

I always hate introducing myself. Haha. So, I’ll try...I’m a producer/musician from London who makes sometimes glitch; sometimes ambient - and sometimes in-between Electronic music.

Detail, your latest L.P., was released back in May. What was it like putting the album together? What were the kind of things that inspired the songs?

It was really fun and stressful.

I started producing the album at the end of December 2016; around the time of finishing my dissertation - and starting fully focusing on it in the New Year. It was really cool making this album as I’d always work on my own when it came to my own work – so, to collaborate with people on the record was fun and I’m really happy with the turnout...

Artists such as Aoki Takamasa inspired me because I was just listening to all the intricate details in his drum-work - and that really was an inspiration to really focus more on every single section of my songs.

Are there going to be new releases from Detail? Any more singles arriving?

There’s a new single out this week called Silver (featuring Sadie Sinner and Le3 bLack).

This song was an idea (idea-number-nineteen, to be precise) for the album I did late last year - and came back to mind only recently (like a few days ago). So; I made it into a song and here it is. Haha. Yeah, this is going to be the last song for a while from me because of creative/mind-block when making music under ‘Loraine James’; so, I’m going to be doing other things like more gigs, workshops; collaborative music projects and my other music project with my mate Will Primett (called Hydra).

It seems like you source from genres such as Math-Rock and Ambient. Is your record collection more attached to modern sounds – or do you dip into the archives and source from the classics?

Erm. I’d say most of my record collection is from the 1990s-onwards; with early Aphex Twin albums etc. - but I also do love listening to Steve Reich’s work.

Who are the artists most influential and important to you?

Telefon Tel Aviv, Aoki Takamasa; Circa Survive, Deftones…the list goes on.

I love the attention-to-detail on quiet sounds in tracks - to the spacey calm and somewhat soothing vocals from Chino from Deftones. I don’t sing that often but, when I do, I definitely draw inspiration from him.

Do you remember when you got into music? Was there a moment where you knew you had to pursue this passion?!

I started learning the keyboard when I was six - but I think I was around fifteen when I wanted to pursue music for a living. I think what triggered it for me was when I performed a piano piece that I had made the night before for assembly - and the response I got was great.

I am interested learning about artists’ songwriting process. Do you consciously set time aside to write – or do you react to immediate inspiration and creative spark?

My brain, sometimes, does this annoying thing where I set myself time to do something and, when it comes to it, I don’t do it – so, I’m definitely more inspired immediately and spontaneously.

London, and its eclectic spirit, seems to impact your music. Are you influenced by the city and the people around you?!

Definitely. The diversity of people, music tastes and weather. Haha. There’s a lot that can get you inspired but, sometimes, it’s also nice to get away from it.

Already; you have performed at some great venues and made impressions in the music world. What has been your proudest memory so far?

Being a part of The Cocoa Butter Club has been one of my highlights because there’s always so much love - and I’m about everything they stand for! (….check them out).

IN THIS PHOTO: Yaeji

Which new artists do you recommend we check out?

Yaeji is an artist I randomly came across on YouTube. She does amazing straight-to-the-point Electronic music - and she’s also just released her second E.P…so check that out.

IN THIS PHOTO: La Leif

La Leif is an awesome Electronic musician/producer who I saw live when we were playing the same bill at Rye Wax recently. She performs her music analogue and has a great E.P. out called Nest.

Are there any tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

The only live date I got at the minute is in Leicester on 25th November at The Shed.