James Guilmartin’s Facebook page sums it all up “nicey”. Under genre it reads “alternativey, rocky, jazzy, trippy, melty, arty, nicey”. James doesn’t take generic stamps too seriously and rightly so. He says, “I find it very hard to define what I do besides saying that I create all sorts of songs and pieces of music. Genres are hard to avoid and to be put into one doesn’t concern me because I know deep down that titles like rock, jazz, pop, folk etc, they’re just little subtitles for the big one…. ‘MUSIC’. It doesn’t bother me to be honest. I find it quite funny hearing people trying to define what I do. Ha ha. But that’s just me. Some other musicians find it easier to work in a genre; they feel safer. Like knowing what dogma they follow”.
Right, well this would be the point where I attempt to describe James’ sound but judging by the fact that he can’t even describe it himself and will laugh at me if I try… I think I should opt out of this one. Instead I’ve posted one seriously amazing link that comes highly recommended by yours truly. Have a listen and you can hear his music for yourself and see just what he’s capable of.
This video depicts his step-outside-the-box qualities spectacularly. To be able to play one vocal melody line and one completely different melody on guitar simultaneously shows quite the talent. He’s got the Guilmartin brand of enigmatic polyphony down to a fine art alright. His work is definitely unique and he enjoys pushing at the boundaries to see what else is possible. He says “With songs like ‘Wise up’ it is hard sometimes at the start but when you follow your imagination and catch up with it’s madness and ideas it’s so much fun to see what you’re capable of doing when you focus on it”. He adds that he tries to keep an open mind when it comes to creating something new and says “I always want to grow, grow, grow as a writer and try not to repeat myself for the sake of ease. Creating something fresh and original is hard but unbelievably rewarding mentally and spiritually.”
James remembers the exact moment when he conceived the idea for “Wise up”. “I just knew I wanted to write something to burn a fire under my ass and make me go ”holy fucking shit!!!” ye know? Make me really react! If I don’t react to a piece of music in a big way then I know its not going to last the day. So ye now I put a lot of pressure on myself to constantly keep surprising myself. An evolution of imagination and responding to it, like responding to your dreams.” Well, he must have lit one hell of a fire that day. The track has got some seriously, searing potential to make you stop in your tracks and think… wow!
He finds inspiration for his music in “the fear, pain, loneliness, loss, worry, heart break, love, questioning your environment, inability to express myself… those existential questions. After years of writing songs I do find that any occasion can give way to your art. I truly believe that if u constantly exercise your imagination you’ll always be creative. Transforming negativity into a positive song is truly a great achievement… and my therapist agrees too!”
James has been strumming away at his guitar since the tender age of 13 and has been a regular on the Dublin music scene for nearly as long. “There have been many ups and many downs for sure [along the way] but you’ve got to keep ploughing through if you believe in what you do, despite the odds. I do have a strong sense of self belief, plus I enjoy it big time too.” His favourite artists at the minute include “lots of local Dublin bands and friends of mine… brilliant stuff. Kate Bush, Tom Waits, Messugah, Mr. Bungle and Joanna Newsome.” However, he won’t be listening to any of these tracks on the go due to a “drunken incident” in Camden where his i-pod broke!
This will be James’ first time at the Soul Festival. He’s excited and says, “I love musical affairs of all sorts”. James likes to keep busy, to put it mildly! Or to put it in his own words, “as busy as a bumble bee”! He only released his debut album less than four months ago and is already passionately talking about his next. He says, “It’s only the first of many, many more different types. The second one is nearly finished; the writing is anyway. I’m mad excited with the new more dynamic direction. Plans for the future are constant. More writing, more recording, and gig, gig, gig, gig, gig. I don’t see myself stopping for a long time. I don’t see any reason to. It’s too interesting and way too much fun”.
James’ favorite venues include Vicar Street and the Voodoo, when it was open. He played the Knockanstockan festival last year and is back again this year. “Amazing festival. It’s like a smaller Electric Picnic. Playing there again this July. Plug, plug!”
Best album you ever bought? ‘Messanine’ by Massive Attack. I never get bored listening to that amazing album… timeless. (Too true)
Worst album you ever bought? Ha! It was a Panpies cover album… holy Jesus… it was unreal. I ended up getting mad frustrated and ended up testing its aerodynamic ability and fucked it out the window when driving…that felt good. I think that’s what they mean when they say ‘the devils music’ haha!
By Aine Gilligan
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Fantastic article. Very well written. Keep them coming Aine.