“FAMILY, FRIENDSHIPS AND LOVE”: BALLAD SINGER-SONGWRITER JAMIE GREY ON USING HIS LATEST SINGLE TO EXPRESS “THE THINGS THAT MEAN THE MOST”

INTERVIEW | JAMIE GREY by Martha Munro

Jamie Grey: you might recognise the name and the syrup-smooth, passionate vocal style from this emotive singer songwriter’s appearances on The Voice, where his music career kicked off. Since then, he’s transformed from a secret bedroom singer into a highly accomplished and authentic ballad star, who has co-written huge tracks like ‘Falling Like The Stars‘ with James Arthur, along with other songs from the #1 album Bitter Sweet Love. But with his latest, reflective single ‘How Did We Get to Midnight’, Grey has taken a step back to gain some perspective and look at the life he leads and the time he has. We got to ask him all about this release, as well as his headline UK and Europe tour in October and his journey into the music world…

For those who haven’t heard it yet, tell us all about ‘How Did We Get To Midnight‘: What was the inspiration behind the song? How did that transform in the writing process and in the studio?

The inspiration behind this track is how I’ve been feeling lately in relation to time. I’m older now and have started to become increasingly aware of how quickly time passes. It’s recently hit me in a way that it hasn’t before. We don’t get forever here and therefore I want to spend as much of my time as I can doing what makes me happy with the people I love the most. I expressed that feeling to Ben (Lythe) and Charlie (Dempsey) in the studio and we said, ‘it’s kinda like a night you’ve been out and you’re like, how did it get to midnight.’ The song was born from there. 

Your lyrics are highly emotive and introspective, which really brings out this song’s balladic style. Do you have a favourite lyric from this single?

I’d say my favourite lyric is ‘I never slowed down to feel life, I suppose.’  That line is very true of myself in my 20s, which I suppose we all do at that age. The line acts as a reminder now though to feel what life is truly about. Family, friendships and love. The things that mean the most to me.

And of course, you’re set to embark on your first full UK and European headline tour in October – congrats! Are you excited? What are you most looking forward to?

This tour is a solo tour, just me and my acoustic guitar, and there my fans can really expect that raw and direct feeling which I’m super excited about. I perform best when I feel like I’m in a room with friends and I just happen to be the one entertaining everyone. I wanna make these shows feel just like that. I’m even thinking about having a section in the show where if your favourite song of mine isn’t in the set, I’ll take a request or two and just freestyle it out.

How did you decide that this close, personal, stripped back approach was the way to go for this tour?

For this tour I wanted to take it back to the start and where I came from. I grew up secretly writing songs in my bedroom on my acoustic guitar. I feel like it’s probably where my style as an artist hits home the best. The lyrics and my voice become more exposed which I thrive under, and I’ve been really craving that intimate style of show again. I can’t wait! 

What kinds of music and artists did you grow up listening to? Do they still inspire you now?

Yes, they definitely still do. I was by no means a student of music. My core memories of music as a kid were that my mam would always have music blasting whilst she was doing jobs around the house. She would be ironing and singing along to soulful power ballads from singers like Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Boys II Men and Michael Bolton. I started falling in love with certain types of singers: singers with soul in their voice that could impressively take you on a journey with their vocal ability. I then discovered Tracy Chapman’s self entitled album which completely rocked my world and drew me towards the acoustic guitar. Then came Eminem and I was soon falling in love with these sorts of autobiographical artists that I could hear really had something unique to tell you about their own lives.

Would you say this was how you became a singer songwriter?

It was from there I knew I wanted to do what these artists were doing. I loved singing so much, I was quite secretive about it but I knew I could sing similarly to what I kept hearing in the records my mam was playing. As I turned into a teen, I had things that I wanted to say and needed an instrument to say them. 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to anyone who wants to go on a similar journey to yours and pursue music?

My biggest piece is advice is to be bold. Have unwavering belief in your talent. If the passion is there and you truly love it, don’t let anyone tell you cant achieve something. 

And finally, what’s one thing you definitely don’t miss about working in finance?

Haha, to be honest I enjoyed it. I think I can find enjoyment in anything I sink my teeth into. I don’t miss having to clock in and out at a certain time, but the job itself was good. It was target-driven and I’m competitive, so I really enjoyed that aspect.

Tickets for the tour dates, listed below, are available HERE.

OCTOBER

1st – Glasgow, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut

3rd – Dublin, Unitarian Church

8th – Copenhagen, Rust

9th – Groningen, Nieuwe Kerk

10th – Utrecht, Stadsklooster

11th – Arnhem, Luxor Live

19th – Munich, Kranhalle

20th – Cologne, Blue Shell

21st – Hamburg, Nochtspeicher

22nd – Berlin, Mikropol

28th – Newcastle, The Cluny

29th – Manchester, The Deaf Institute

30th – London, The Lower Third

NOVEMBER

1st – Bristol, The Louisiana