1. Hi Jamie, we love your new single “Like What I See” – what was the inspiration behind the track?
I’ve started to feel a big change going on inside of me. I could feel myself knowing myself more than ever, and it feels clear who I am, what I stand for and where I want to go. I’d been saying for a month or so before writing the song that I like my reflection in the mirror for the first time.
2. You’ve got a really soulful voice – when did you first realise you could sing?
I knew when I was really young that nothing made me feel as good as singing. I didn’t really understand it, I just felt so happy when singing. I for a long time though have sought the approval of others, so it’s not until recently, if I’m honest I really think that I’m a good singer and am comfortable saying that. My mother always played soulful singers when I was a kid, so those were the first voices I ever heard. Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston even Michael Bolton, it was always singers who really sang with 110% passion and had huge voices.
3. You co-wrote James Arthur’s track ‘Falling Like The Stars’ – do you find the music comes first or lyrics when you’re writing?
For that song I was playing the guitar riff around and the chorus melody and lyrics just fell out of me in one go. I was missing my wife and wanted her to know how much I loved her.
4. What’s your relationship like with social media – do you enjoy it? Or loathe it?
It’s a bit of both really. I never want to be someone resistant to change or how technology evolves. I’ve found it difficult at times to hop on trends or get involved in content that has been seen to be working better than others because it has felt like I’m being disingenuous, and that doesn’t sit well with me. I’d be lying to say I hadn’t tried stuff because it might work, but I just end up looking back down the line and cringing at it. I’m very active though. I appreciate my fans deeply, so I respond to every single one of them and message back regularly. I post a lot also, but lately I’m leaning very much towards the quality over quantity method when it comes to what I post. This just coincides with knowing the type of artist I want to be much more.
5. Which artists have been your biggest inspirations?
It depends for me. I’m not one of these artists who can just name you their 3 biggest influences because I go through such phases of loving lots of different music. As a young child, I first heard my sister playing the Tracy Chapman self-titled album, and I fell in love with it. Her raw honesty in the writing and her way of making me feel I knew exactly the type of person she was and what her life looked like. I love that sort of autobiographical style at times. Eminem did that for me also when I first heard the Marshall Mathers LP it literally blew my mind. Right now, I’m diving into a lot of older music that I missed or wasn’t exposed to as a kid. Listening to classics from the 60’s and 70’s. I recently watched the Billy Joel documentary and dived into his catalogue. It’s all I’ve been listening to and has me so inspired.
6. If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?
Again tricky, I like and respect so many artists. I really do appreciate all the greats who have amazing bodies of constant work spanning over a long time frame. From a Stevie Wonder to a modern-day Ed Sheeran or Justin Bieber. I’d say Eminem and Tracy Chapman have special places in my heart because they were the first 2 albums I fell in love with, but I also have dreamt of sharing a stage with amazing singers like Bryan Adams or Michael Bolton. Vocal harmony groups like Boys II Men or Paolo Nutini. There are honestly so many. I just love real artists who I can tell music is in them.
7. What’s the best thing about playing live?
It’s my favourite thing to do. I feel totally it’s where I’m supposed to be. It’s indescribable!
8. What would you like to achieve in 2026?
I’ve never been this excited about entering a new year. To know yourself fully like I feel I do now, is such an exciting thing for me as an artist. I’m less focused on results than I’ve ever been and I’m focused on making art that feels timeless. Like it’s full of care and craft and sounds like it pays homage to the greats who have paved the way.
Author: Andrew Braithwaite
Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He’s also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.
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