Exposed Vocals Interviews EAGLE JAMES
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
EAGLE JAMES: I was browsing n going through my twitter page, @The_KingBird, when I came across a handle @ExposedVocals and I got interested. I clicked on the handle so as to familiarize myself with Exposed Vocals only to learn it was a platform for helping artists get heard out there.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
EAGLE JAMES: I was born and raised in central Kenya in the late 90’s. I grew up listening to lots of urban music from a small battery powered stereo though my parents were against it. I loved what I hearing and I would get lyrics of a song by the first time it played. By the time I was ten I had mastered the art just by listening to music and had made several compositions of my own. I got a younger sister, Ruth, who loved what I was doing and always asked me to compose something for her just to listen. After completing my high school studies in 2011 I decided to record some of my works and the outcome was amazing and I got support from various quarters and that’s how and why I am where I am till to date.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
EAGLE JAMES: My real name is JAMES MBUURI KINYUA but I go by the stage name EAGLE JAMES THE KING BIRD. I got inspiration from the eagle’s story of how determined it usually is, soaring high in the sky, its strength and thus branded the king of birds due to its outstanding abilities. The story inspires me to date because I believe I too am an eagle and can soar to heights less imagined and thus decided to brand and call myself EAGLE JAMES THE KING BIRD.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
EAGLE JAMES: I think the largest platform for sharing music and getting a wide fan base is online and personally I have heavily invested in that to an extent of uploading my music to any site that submits music for downloads and viewing such as soundcloud, https://soundcloud.com/eagle-james-the-king-bird , you tube, spotify, mdundo and others. My music is for free as well as for sale since I want to reach out to lots of people and have my content heard far and wide.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
EAGLE JAMES: First and fore most I encourage an artist to have good lyrical content, get good production, good mastering of their works and register with relevant copyright boards and authorities. From there depending on your target audience, try to reach out to them and make you and your music easily available to your audience. Do proper packaging and branding and submit your music to media houses, DJs and try organizing small shows and doing small performances here and there. By having quality work, you will end up doing very well in the industry.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
EAGLE JAMES: Yeah I do make mistakes at times especially due stage fright. At times I panic and feel like everyone is seeing it bur I compose my self and bounce back. I always try engaging the crowd as this brings confident back. On stage if I make any mistakes I like behaving as if nothing has happened and bounce back because it can be really embarrassing if you fail to go over it.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
EAGLE JAMES: So far I haven’t toured but am looking forward to my first tour this year dubbed Grove tour and am really excited.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
EAGLE JAMES: My inspiration comes from what I go through on my day to day activities, my experience and those of friends as well, my thoughts and from what I read. While writing a song I first invest in critical thinking of an idea and once it has matured in thought a hymn always hits and lyrics will always flow in harmony and one accord. Since inspiration can hit anywhere, I always carry a small recording device with me so save in demo form any idea that may strike.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
EAGLE JAMES: Currently am working to have my own website but my music is available in various established sites such as Soundcloud, https://soundcloud.com/eagle-james-the-king-bird, Reverbnation, Mdundo, You Tube.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
EAGLE JAMES: Mhh…actually non because I have heavily invested in good lyrical content, good production, good mastering and before realizing a song I give much thought to it and ask my team how they feel about it.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
EAGLE JAMES: Oh God!!! That’s really quite a sum. I would use a percentage of the amount to improve my brand, invest in income generating projects and help the less fortunate in the society.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
EAGLE JAMES: I have been purchasing equipment randomly once I come across those of high quality so as to improve on production and my prowess. Currently am working with some equipment presented to me as a birthday present two years down the line by my cousin.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
EAGLE JAMES: Mainly I use social media for promotion purpose and the results are amazing as I end up reaching out to lots of people locally and abroad. I also use word of mouth but social media works best for me.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
EAGLE JAMES: I think it would be the late E-SIR and Nigeria’s ICE PRINCE in COKE STUDIO. I always looked up to E-SIR in my tender years and stills loves him and his works till to date. On the other hand I look up to ICE PRINCE and I admire him a lot. My performance would be in coke studio since av been dreaming and desiring to be part of COKE STUDIO since it was launched as it greatly supports artists and provides a platform for growth.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
EAGLE JAMES: I got an album titled OFF THE HOOK that will be out before the end of the year. I have already released two single from the album and I have just completed working on the third single from the album named SIFA and it will be released very soon probably next month.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
EAGLE JAMES: I would be studying as still am currently in my third year at The University of Nairobi where am taking a bachelors degree in Economics and Mathematics.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
EAGLE JAMES: The first album I bought was Nonini’s album GODFATHER. I admire the kind of work he does musically and since I had just completed high school, I wanted to do an album just like his and thus bought it so as to go see and analyze what made him so big and a house hold name since that too was my dream.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
EAGLE JAMES: Its not an easy task but along the way I have learnt a few tricks that helps me balance everything though music is my first love. A first it was tough and always kept me in the bad records of my parents but right now am really good at everything I do. No more arguments or me doing bad at my other chores and responsibilities.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
EAGLE JAMES: Am so excited to be completing my first studio album, OFF THE HOOK, and fans should be expecting great and good music from me and especially the album. More so, I will be doing more performances and I may come at your city within the course of the year.