James Leonard Hewitson is a 22-year old male from Hartlepool in the North East of UK. He decided to start playing solo around 2 years ago because he moved to Newcastle for university, away from my old band (Arcs & Trauma), and he felt like he had to keep making music. He started playing solo gigs around Newcastle once he had some songs, and, from his friends who would come and watch, he managed to form a band to make his debut single, ‘Care Less, Love Less’.
James is very young but full of potential, that’s why we asked him some questions!
What is your all-time favorite song?
My all time favourite song… That’s tough. I am going to have to go with ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ by Oasis, since I’ve known it from a young age (3 or 4 years old) and I first learned guitar through playing Oasis songs, plus it’s simply just a great song.
Which song is perfect for a Road Trip?
Crash by The Primitives – because it’s on the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack, which depicts the perfect road trip – I like to think I am in the movie.
To which song do you like to clean?
Amazing question! ‘Man In The Mirror’ by Michael Jackson – ‘if you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change’ – so I change my kitchen by cleaning it, whilst dancing.
What’s the perfect song to wake up with?
I Am A God – Kanye West – motivational (in ways) and it doesn’t have a consistent groove that I can fall back asleep to.
What’s your favorite artist from your home city?
I am from a small port-town called Hartlepool in the North East of England. Therefore, I would have to say either myself or one of my friends because I know basically everyone, but I don’t want to, because I will sound cocky and bias. So… I will say my old elementary school teacher, Eddy Huntington, who first encouraged me to get up on stage and sing when I was 10 – he was a famous pop star in Eastern Europe in the 80s – see ‘Eddy Huntington – U.S.S.R.’ I’m not sure where he is from, exactly, but I like the fact that I don’t know. I think he’s brilliant.
Which artist do you think is too underrated and which one is overrated?
Overrated– The Hunna, they are basically an advert.
Underrated – The Hives, I don’t understand why they haven’t headlined Glastonbury yet, they are the greatest band in the world.
If you could be one artist for a day, who would that be?
Christine and The Queens – her live show with all the dancers is amazing, and it makes me want to be her.
©Chris Stessens
What’s the best song to make love to? (…to ask someone out?)
4’33” by John Cage.
What’s the most beautiful lyric you’ve ever heard?
‘Life doesn’t have to be so automatic so that you can’t see the honey for the bees’ – we get stuck in our structures and sometimes we need to be reminded not to always do the same thing over and over. This lyric, by Ross Millard (Drifts), does exactly that, which is why it is beautiful.
At which place would you love to play a concert?
Your the house of Dansende Beren. Because I think you guys are great.
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