Tipperary singer James McGrath has released his new album, Can't Get Out. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
James was brought up in Nenagh around musicians, with his father Huey playing and touring in several bands, including Ebony.
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James left Ireland and headed to Nashville in 2023 after the Covid pandemic had sidelined his earlier plans.
While in Tennessee, he linked up with newly formed Shamrock Entertainment Group, with Can’t Get Out produced at Middlewalk studios by Peter Maher.
In the past 12 months, he has played shows in Sweden, the UK, Ireland and several stops in the United States including Nashville, New York City and headlining a show last March in Orlando, Florida.
Tell us three things about yourself...
I'm a God-fearing, complicated overthinker who used to be an over-drinker. Lived a thousand lives. Thankful to be here and to be addicted to music.
How would you describe your music?
I would find it hard to describe it all under one roof but the majority of my songs are just honest testimonies really, whether it be dealing with the drink and women or something a little heavier like faith, I like to keep it honest and enjoy finding and catching melodies that have come from a real place.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I could talk for days on this and each day would be a different answer, but I guess early on I got goosebumps listening to Van Morrison with my Dad and then as I became a teen, Eminem was like the equivalent of seeing a new colour. Throughout my late teens, Pearl Jam were my go-to rock band and I always go back to Tom Waits, Bob Dylan and Shane MacGowan; the giants of songwriting in my opinion and was lucky enough to have known Shane as a friend so that had a massive influence on me
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I have a core memory of a Joe Dolan gig where Joe rocked it in a white suit and another rocking gig of my dad's band Ebony playing a smoky pub gig both stick out not sure which was exactly the first.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I would say the first record (CD) I bought for myself was Eminem's Slim Shady LP or maybe Pearl Jam's Ten but to be honest I had all the Boyzone albums before that as a child, we had all the great albums in our house through my Dad. Like Paul Simon's Graceland and just some stuff that I really was engrossed by and Mam would have top American Country albums stuff like Trisha Yearwood and the Dixie Chicks but had all the old classic country playing as I was a kid. I was blessed.
What's your favourite song right now?
At the moment I am humming three songs in my head - Bob Dylan's Not Dark Yet, Johnny's Cash’s version of Beast in Me, and Bon Iver's new release, S P E Y S I D E.
Favourite lyric of all time?
That's like asking a mother of 20 their favourite child. I'm obsessed with lyrics, my favourite lyric would be whatever is helping me at the present understand a situation so, for instance, the lyric I'm most impressed with at the moment is from Not Dark Yet by Bob Dylan - "I ain't looking for nothing in anyone's eyes". I just relate to that right now but you could ask me next week and it could be from the other Bob, and I would say Could You Be Loved? It all depends on what's happening in the moment for me.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
Any song would become torture after an eternity but I guess I'd go with something from one of Van Morrison's big live albums so I could pick out parts so it wouldn't become monotonous and he always has that soul, ya know, let me say I Forgot That Love Existed.
Where can people find your music/more information?
@Musicbyjamesmcgrath on Facebook Instagram and TikTok and Musicbyjamesmcgrath.com is my website. My new album, Can't Get Out, is available on all major outlets Spotify, iTunes, YouTube etc.
Alan Corr
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