Packed Full Of Talent

If you’ve ever seen an episode of ‘Packed To The Rafters’, you’ve probably heard his music. If you live on the Gold Coast, you’ve probably heard his music. If you have two pieces of skin on the side of your face (commonly known as ears), you’ve probably heard his music.

James Grehan is a household name, or he should be. With three albums since 2004, oodles of award nominations and three Q Song Awards, this Gold Coast lad is an independent artist who has had a whole lot of success. But somehow, he’s managed to stay grounded.

“My biggest achievement so far is still playing music to be honest. I’m an independent artist, so I fund everything, I do everything for the releases, so to still be writing and releasing is a bit of a privilege.”

James’ second album ‘Sketches and Silhouettes’, released in 2008, is responsible for such privileges. Tracks from the album featured on Channel 7’s ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Packed to the Rafters’ and even won him the ‘Best Alternative’, ‘Best Regional’ and the ‘Courier Mail People’s Choice’ gongs at the 2008 Q Song Awards.

“The song ‘Hold On’ has just done amazing things, considering where it was recorded. It was basically recorded in a lounge room and it just went through the roof. It got so much airplay and television play and now to get nominated for an APRA award. I was very surprised; I had no idea that was going to happen.”

His latest release, ‘Long Road’, is part of the evolution of James’ music. Though it keeps the same blue/ roots/ folk sound of ‘Sketches and Silhouettes’, this EP was recorded in his house at Southport rather than a professional studio. Listeners can almost feel the chilled-out vibe radiating through the music.

“It was a really relaxed atmosphere; we’d start late evening or early afternoon and run through the evening when it was quiet. We set up mattresses and that sort of thing around the lounge room and drank red wine and built the songs from the ground up, rather than actually going into the studio and having a clear idea of what we wanted to do.”

JAMES GREHAN PLAYS THE BASEMENT AT THE ARTS CENTRE GOLD COAST ON THURSDAY JULY 8 AND THE RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, TUESDAY JULY 27. ‘LONG ROAD’ IS OUT NOW.