James Walsh (musician)

James Walsh
James Walsh in 2008
Background information
Born	(1980-06-10) 10 June 1980
Origin	Chorley, Lancashire, England
Genres	Rock
Occupations	Vocalist, guitarist, musician, actor, songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano,
Labels	EMI,
Associated acts	Starsailor
Website	Jameswalshmusic.com Starsailor.net
Notable instruments
Fender Telecaster

James Walsh (born 10 June 1980, Chorley, Lancashire, England) is an English singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist and frontman of the band, Starsailor.

In 2009, he started recording his first solo album, working with American songwriter and singer Suzanne Vega, and making his first film collaboration with Powder.

Including his work with the band, Starsailor, he has sold over three million albums globally^[1]

Biography

When Walsh was aged 12 he started to play the piano and by the time he was 14 he wrote his own songs; he enjoyed listening to groups like The Charlatans, Oasis and Jeff Buckley.^[2] A shy and lonely personality, he looked for artists that had, or have, an influence on the musicians of his generation.^[2]

Eventually he got attracted to artists and bands such as Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Nick Drake and The Beatles. Walsh was so impressed by the music of Tim Buckley, that he decided to name his own band after the title of Buckley's 1970 album Starsailor. He met fellow band members, James Stelfox and Ben Byrne, when he studied music at the Wigan and Leigh College in Wigan.^[3]

Some rumours said that Starsailor members Ben Byrne and James Stelfox were in another band. One day,when their vocalist did not turn up, Walsh asked them if he could sit in with them and sing for this rehearsal. This was the first incarnation of Starsailor as a band.^[4] Walsh decided to play the guitars for the band after the "frustration over not finding a musician right for the group".^[3]

On 31 March 2009 The Sun announced that Walsh will appear in the movie adaptation of controversial rock and roll novel Powder by Kevin Sampson. He will play the role of the singer of The Grams.^[5] On 3 April 2009, Starsailor's website administrator, confirmed part of the information stating that "James had been in talks with the Powder author about providing the vocals for the actor in the film" and else adding that "James himself won't be acting or appearing, but might provide the vocals for the songs in the film". The film will be released in Autumn 2011, after a premiere on 19 May.^[6]

James Walsh performing in a pub in Sallynoggin, Co. Dublin. October 2013.

In 2009, he started recording his first solo album, working with American songwriter and singer Suzanne Vega.^[7] His first solo EP, Live at the Top of the World was recorded in Tromsø with a chamber orchestra from Norway, and was released in November 2010.^[8] He has also contributed to a mini-album Robotic Heart Foundation by Nikolaj Torp Larsson and Andreas Olson, after he met them at a studio when working on a film.^[9] Larsson and Olson have continued to work with Walsh on his debut album, which is expected to be released in 2011.

Recently, Walsh has worked together with Belgian band Andes on the song "één dag meer" ("One More Day").

During June 2011, Walsh supported Simple Minds on their "Greatest Hits Forest Tour".

Personal life

In the middle of 2002 there was a feud between Noel Gallagher of Oasis and James Walsh (who was initially musically inspired by the sound of Oasis). Gallagher had called the Starsailor singer a 'cock' in an interview for NME magazine; something denied by the accused. However, when Walsh confronted Gallagher at the T In The Park festival in 2002, Gallagher claimed that if he said it, then it must be true. Noel's brother Liam got involved, allegedly squaring up to Walsh on the same day. In live shows following this, most notably at the 2002 V Festival, the Starsailor front man announced 'it is nice to be good, and good to be nice'. Gallagher went on to declare that the incident was 'the most fun Walsh has had in his life'. The feud was resolved at Glastonbury in 2004.

Walsh has been married to Lisa McNamee since 2003 and has a daughter called Niamh (born 8 August 2002). On June 30, 2008 he became a father again when his second son was born. The baby was named Cillian James.^[10]

He is a supporter of Liverpool F.C. and used to play concerts for the other supporters and leave comments about the development of the team in his Myspace and Twitter.^[11]

Filmography

Discography

• Live At The Top Of The World EP (2010)
• Lullaby (2012)

References