Getting to Know… Cody James | Interview 🎤

In the 306^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from a do-it-all, Wisconsin-based pop/rock solo artist, Cody James.

“When you listen to my songs and hear drums, bass, keys, strings, etc… that’s all me.” 🎙 Cody James, a do-it-all musician – mad respect! In response to our first burning question, the Midwest pop/rock musician (Wisconsin) expounds, “I’m playing the drums, the bass, and so on. You’re getting my entire perspective.”  #COOL. Like our many other Getting to Know Q&As, we get the inside scoop on James’ beginnings, goals, musical influences, and of course, current, and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into 🎤 Getting to Know… Cody James: Interview No. 306!

For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes you distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

🎤 One thing, is that for now, everything is me. When you listen to my songs and hear drums, bass, keys, strings, etc… that’s all me. I’m playing the drums, the bass, and so on. You’re getting my entire perspective.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did your music career begin, and what were some of the goals or visions you had early on?

🎤 It’s just me solo for now. From 2003-2019 I was in bands, usually the lead singer. In late 2018,  I had been going through some deep personal issues and had decided to embark on my own. I was still in my band, we had toured the country and released several records. We went on tour in March of 2019. I left the band when we got home. I was officially a solo artist. Fast forward to today, and here we are.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

🎤 Many of my goals haven’t changed and will never change. Things like improving on guitar and writing more songs. I think those things have pretty much stayed consistent. How I go about reaching them has definitely evolved and changed, which I think is a good thing. You learn as you go and adapt accordingly. It’s really the only thing to do. On the other hand, I’ve reached other goals like making music my full-time focus and income. Now it’s more about how I can maintain that. After nearly a year, it’s gone pretty well. Now that I know I can do it, it’s time to take a step up. I’ve survived, and now I’m ready to thrive a little.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

🎤 I’d say my biggest musical influence is probably Paul Stanley. I fell in love with Kiss when I was like 6, and he’s always been so cool. The ideal rockstar, larger than life. He’s always done what he wanted and not cared what anyone said. I’ve always liked Jim Morrison as well, he taught me to keep things a little mysterious. Don’t put it all out there but leave the ‘door’ open just a bit. I like John Mayer because he is very concise and eloquent in his music and speaking. I’ve always been kind of sloppy with a natural lisp, so, I suppose the opposite always seems cooler.

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

🎤 Last show of the last tour with the band. They didn’t know it at the time. We had met up with another band from Chicago called Black Road and did a run of shows with them. Our last stop was in Ames, IA and we got rowdy after the show. We got two hotel rooms which were joined by a door, and we let all hell break loose. We were shoving each other into the walls, breaking stuff. At one point I shoved our drummer through the bathroom door where one of the other band members was shitting. It was great. We then had a pool party until the sun came up, which the attendant was not too happy about.

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

🎤 I’d say it’s my new single, 🎵 “Everything In Me”. It just encapsulates where I’m at. When I wrote it I was at a really critical turning point in my life for many reasons. I didn’t even really write it, it’s more like it poured out of me.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

🎤 I really love Pokémon. My wife would say I’m obsessed (haha!) but I love buying the cards. I have tons from when I was a kid and a bunch from the last few years. I’m also really big into health and wellness. I love to exercise and go outside in nature.

Closing out, what are you currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

🎤 So, I’m getting ready to release this single, 🎵 “Everything In Me” on September 30th with The Animal Farm. They’ve been really great to work with. We’re gonna be releasing multiple singles in the coming months and I’m excited. I’m also working on playing as much as possible and getting tour plans ready for next year. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with me!

Follow… Cody James: Instagram • Facebook • Twitter • Spotify • Website

Getting to Know… Cody James: Interview No. 306 [📷: Brent Faulkner, Cody James, Darkmoon_Art, luis2500gx, The Musical Hype, Pixabay, OpenClipart-Vectors]