Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
James Mayes : I heard about exposed vocals through twitter. I decided to sign up because I wanted my song to be noticed and me to be recognized for an artist.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
James Mayes: I grew up in a town called leamington spa and I decided to become an artist because music gives me something nothing else does it makes me feel I have purpose and I can express ny feelings. I have always enjoyed singing and have been good at it.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
James Mayes: my artist name is just my name but if you mean how did I come up with the song name then I was thinking about my life and how it’s been and thought about something that I have been treated like and it made me think of a shop window mannequin and that if they were a person it would be horrible. That was my inspiration for the song. Also a song from John Newman called outta my head helped me write the song with a top studio in London.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
James Mayes: I think online music sharing is great to connect your talent and music with others but I would never give my music away for free because I am a artist and the Music you write should be part of you and so why give part of you away.
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?
James Mayes: At the moment I have also just started up. My advice is to make sure you have your album at least lyrically written in rough at the least and find a song with the most emotion to take to a music studio. Before you take it to a music studio make sure you phone around and find someone who understands your vision and you can connect with through talking to them this will help with getting the best results for your song. After your song is made get on the radios around and get your song more well known. If your a band you shouldn’t have a problem getting a gig once it’s played on radio and is on thr internet just make sure you phone around bars and places with stages to ask for gig’s. If your a solo artist then my advice would be to make sure that you gig when you have a full album of songs done so that you can make use of that time that you are given in airtime or gigging.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
James Mayes: I have done a few times, I usually try to carry on and catch back up to myself. It is very stressful and worrying of course.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
James Mayes: I don’t tour yet as I am still working on my first album and I need it to do well in order to tour.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
James Mayes: for song writing inspiration I usually listen to lots of different types of music and try and find one that hits me emotionally so I can channel that emotion into how I am feeling and that can help me write a song. My songwriting process would be thinking about my life and the now and thinking what I can write about, then writing what comes into my head down and then rewriting it to become a musical piece.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
James Mayes: I dont have a band website as I am a solo artist and am still working on my first album so a website is a bit pointless ATM. I use YouTube, facebook, twitter and soundcloud you promote my music as well as the radio.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
James Mayes: Taylor Swift-blank space, corona- baby baby.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
James Mayes: I would invest It into my music career and give some money to my parents to help them out. Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
James Mayes: I am currently working on my first album and am roughly making the soundtracks then I am going to take It to my studio and see if they can help me patch it up.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
ATM twitter has been the most effective way I’ve gained 110 followed in 24 hours. I am going to promote my song more through the radio and making a music video.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
James mayes: I would love to perform at the 02 arena In london or the Wembley Stadium with Christina Aguilera or Paloma faith. The reason why is because Christina Aguilera has an amazing voice and I grew up listening to her music as well as many other artists and genres. Paloma Faith because she has a similar voice to me in a sense and I really have taken a liking to her song only love can hurt like this.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
James Mayes: so I am writing my first album About my life and feelings and emotions of what I have went through the past two years and then I will be gigging once the album has been made.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing
James Mayes: I’d probably be a manager, a teacher or a fitness instructor.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
James Mayes: truth is I never have bought anyone’s albums in my life haha. I dont Know why I just haven’t bought any. I do need to so I can answer this question better if I get asked it In the future.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
James Mayes: as an artist it isn’t easy to manage with other things when you are songwriting and going out and performing or going to radio or studios to record. How I juggle it is I take days off to manage my other responsibilities and then I can catch up with my music.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
James Mayes: I certainly think they should look out for my album. Which I am hoping it will be out before December this year but I would say to look out for some incredible talent and to make sure that you support all talent and their efforts towards music.
