Love In London: An Interview With James Cooper

by tonydoug wright

Australian born singer-songwriter James Cooper has made a name for himself in his home country, but he has also gained notoriety in the UK and Europe, because Cooper spent two years touring those areas as a solo artist and with his three-piece band The Protectors. During that time Cooper worked on his debut album Second Season which earned him rave reviews. Second Season opens with a pop rock boom called ‘Everything to Everyone’ and from there it continues upon a solid pop influenced course. Comparisons can be made to the styles of Crowded House, Matthew Sweet, and Ryan Adams. Cooper is a competent songwriter with a knack for writing great songs about the ups and downs of relationships. Not only is he a singer-songwriter, he also a visual artist who has provided album art for Sir Paul McCartney and David Bowie.

James Cooper took some time to answer some of my questions via e-mail. Thanks to James Cooper for taking the time to do this interview.

Your official website (www.james-cooper.com) reports that you are in the studio working on a follow-up to Second Season. It may be too early to ask, but how would you compare the material of the new album to the material on Second Season?

Yeah we're three songs in. It's more story oriented song-wise. I'm drawing inspirations from a lot more American music than previously. Think Gillian Welch, Bruce Springsteen (Devils & Dust/Seeger Sessions period), Johnny Cash (Rick Rubin Period), Josh Ritter with a few UK acts like Richard Hawley (ex-pulp) thrown in. I'm trying to make a more cohesive album that runs as a piece of work rather than just a collection of songs. This album will be mainly guitar based folk pop/rock with a stripped back aesthetic to showcase the songs. And I want to draw on a fascinating legacy of music from blues (I'm loving the Chess albums of Howlin' Wolf) to Blue-Grass to country to folk.

Second Season was released in the U.S. by The Paisley Pop Label. Will you do a tour of the U.S. for the upcoming album or will it be a strictly U.K. and Australia tour?

I'd love to tour North America next year but I'm not thinking about that 'til we've made the record as good as it can be.

While listening to Second Season, I noticed a similarity to singer-songwriter John Wesley Harding. What singer-songwriters have been major influences on your career?

Interesting. I wasn't aware of him except for the Dylan Album of the same name. I've checked it out: nice stuff. I've so many! Martha Wainwright, Ryan Adams, Springsteen, Josh Ritter, Lennon/McCartney, Marvin Gaye, Lucinda Williams, Paul Kelly, Jim Moginie (Midnight Oil), Iva Davies (Icehouse) seriously the list goes on!

You designed the record sleeve for Sir Paul McCartney's 'Fine Line' single. Who approached you to do the artwork for the single? Also, are you doing (or have you done) any additional design work for other artists?

Yes that's right. I worked on Paul's album and single through Stylorouge London. Stylorouge have been designing record sleeves for about 25 years. I designed the cover for the recent Bowie platinum set spanning the 60s - 80s too. Whilst I was playing in London for 2 years I designed covers through Stylorouge. I'm designing now too in Sydney here and there working with indie artists here too and labels. I love that music and visuals can mix so freely.

Other than your own music, what bands or artists have you been listening to lately?

Well, I'm loving The Arcade Fire's Funeral album and am yet to get Neon Bible. I'm listening to Howlin' Wolf and Ry Cooder, and the new Bruce Cockburn actually. I like lots of different stuff.

If you are interested in purchasing Second Season by James Cooper, please visit his official homepage at www.james-cooper.com.