“I’ll never stop trying to give to others what music gives to me every day,” singer/songwriter Jamie Grey summarises how passionate and deeply he feels about making music. Continuing the line of heartfelt singles, Grey shares the new seize-the-moment-eqsue track, “Like What I See.”
Checking in with Jamie Grey, hailing from his home studio, he perceives the fast-paced, oversaturated state of the industry through a hopeful lens: “Every day working in the current landscape of the music industry feels like a day something huge can happen, so that part of it is really exciting.”
Following his previous releases, “Chains” and “Hold Me I’m In Heaven,” in which Grey embraces self-awareness, letting go of his old self and cherishing safe moments with his wife, the new single “Like What I See” arrives, building on themes of gratitude. Grey aims to encourage his fans to make the most out of the limited time we have on this planet.
Appreciating the intended timeless sound of “Like What I See,” Jamie Grey elaborates on the collaborative relationship with Ben Lythe and Charlie Dempsey and the traits he looks for in musicians.
Having grown up as a sensitive child who kept his feelings and interests to himself to avoid looking weak, Jamie Grey has matured into a confident artist with his heart in the right place. Driven by pure love for this craft, Jamie Grey curates sonic packages of aid for the soul, helping others to let go of detrimental demons. “Like What I See,” alongside his previous singles, is a testament to when an artist upholds their ‘aha’ moment at full capacity.
How are you spending these last couple of months of the year?
I have loads of new songs that I’m going to start to lay down demo vocals for. I want to begin gathering a folder of unreleased music. I’m planning on taking some time off from mid-December to be present with my wife and 2 young children away from music.
Will you get to slow down for the holidays or are you planning to spend it creatively stimulating yourself?
I’m sure as my wife will tell you that I’ll still slip away into my studio here and there on some downtime. Just to either strum a guitar, brush up on the piano or try to write a little something.
How was your headline candlelight show at St. Pancreas Old Church?
It was great. I got to try out a lot of new music, which was what I was most excited for. The audience was lovely, and the songs seemed to go down really well.
Could you please elaborate on the backstory of your new single “Like What I See” and how it helped you to accept yourself and embrace your flaws?
I could feel something changing in me a few months prior to writing it. I’ve been working hard on just letting go. Without sounding morbid, just fully understanding that we’re all going to die. Why therefore waste any more time living in fear of judgment or holding on to any demons that only hold me back.
What was different about your mindset when approaching this particular writing session compared to your other ones?
I felt like I knew myself more going into the session. I’d just come off my UK tour, I felt strong and confident. I therefore approached the session just wanting to be more transparent than maybe I’ve ever been and that really paid off.
What was it about working with Ben Lythe and Charlie Dempsey that allowed you to unlock your full potential?
I feel like I know early on if the energy matches mine in a session. With Ben and Charlie straight away I felt like I’d known them both for years. Humility is a big trait that I look for in musicians. A quiet confidence, but a down-to-earth feeling and both Ben and Charlie have those. I also knew I was in the room with two musicians. Two players of instruments who really respect the craft like I do, and that was exactly what I needed.
How do you feel listening back to the song now?
I love it. I’m really proud of the message in the song and the production from Ben feels timeless, which is exactly what I wanted to achieve with it. I’ve always wanted to make records that feel like they can stand up in any era and we really achieved that with this one.
Can you share more about the themes of your previous singles, “Hold Me In Heaven” and “Chains”?
Chains I suppose, is slightly similar to the energy of Like What I See, in that it’s a positive song with confidence. It’s a statement about becoming free from the shackles of my old self. Me knowing confidently who I am and what I stand for.
Hold Me I’m in Heaven is a love song. Maybe it’s not as typical for a man to talk about when a woman holds him. It’s usually the other way around. The song is about how it feels to be with the one person you love the most. Those moments where you feel safe with your partner and truly understood. That to me is what I imagine heaven feels like.
What were some aspects of your childhood that were the early indicators of you growing up to be an artist?
I remember I was always quite confident socially, but early on I knew I had this feeling of sensitivity and a side to me that I would only let come out when I was alone.
I’ve always felt really deeply about things and had feelings that felt so pressing that I knew I needed a way to express them. I loved English language at school, words and poetry. It felt beautiful and pretty to me but again that was something I didn’t let anyone else know about. I remember well having a fear that it made me look weak or something or too sensitive. That also applied to my singing. I absolutely loved to sing and how it made me feel. I always thought I was half decent but never had the confidence to be totally sure. I sang quietly and privately in my bedroom for a long time until I couldn’t hide my “big secret” any longer.
Who encouraged you the most to keep chasing your dream?
I have amazing people in my life like my wife and my parents who have always believed in me 110% which has been the biggest blessing.
I have to say though and I realise this as I’ve matured. The reason I’m still chasing a “dream” if that’s what we wanna call it, is because I can’t do anything else. Not in a way that I’m physically unable to do something else but in a way that I love music too much. I feel too passionately and deeply about it, it’s who I am and has always been deep inside of me. I feel indebted to music somehow for the feeling it gives me.
If huge global success doesn’t come my way then so be it. To sit with my guitar or at a piano and express myself, beside my wife and kids is the greatest gift on earth. I’ll never stop trying to give to others what music gives to me everyday.
Can you speak about any plans you have on the agenda for next year?
There will be lots of shows I’m sure. A UK tour and a European tour also as well as a lot of new music going into the world. Those things though usually fall into place. For me each year is about growing personally and as a result as an artist. How can I improve my songwriting? My voice? My ability to be truly myself with my audience. Can I work harder? And be more focused than last year? That’s how I’m approaching next year.Hopefully, I will meet you at one of my shows, somewhere!?
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Words: Karolina Kramplova