The rise of st.james
Photo credit Jellan (Clash Studios)
st.james has released her brand new alt-pop song ‘Aquarius’, the song marks a shift for st.james from her earlier work; but it’s ultimately a brilliant deviation. This rising, multi-talented pop star is determined to keep pushing herself to achieve the things she has dreamed about since she was a little girl. Talking to st.james you instantly see why this breath of fresh air, independent artist is making huge gains. We asked st.james about ‘Aquarius’, the moves she’s made so far, and of course her stint on Byron Baes.
For those that haven’t heard st.james before, how do you describe your sound? How do you label your music?
I would call it somewhere between synth-pop and alt rnb! It’s a hard one to pinpoint exactly because each song has so many different influences and there are a million sub-genres! But it’s definitely pop music. High polished production with (what I hope are) hooky hooks!
“I saw a sign at this cafe down the road that said Margs and Vibes and just thought about how much this generation can simultaneously sit in our pain and also vibe off of it.”
You have just released your latest track 'Aquarius'. Tell us about your new song? What was your inspiration for the song?
I wrote it super quick and I didn’t have a strong idea about what I wanted to say but I started with the opening lyrics ‘God, I love this era… we get high on the vibes and the pain.’ I saw a sign at this cafe down the road that said Margs and Vibes and just thought about how much this generation can simultaneously sit in our pain and also vibe off of it. Then it spiralled from there and I started writing about why our generation is like that, and how we’ve all lived through so many major world events. Just moving into the new age of thinking for ourselves and how heavy and yet enlightening the truth can be. It’s kind of a modern day reflection on the astrological Age of Aquarius. I can definitely feel a sense of movement and restlessness, collectively.
'Aquarius' is a change in direction for you. Is this a new path you will be exploring or is this a one off divergence?
I wish I knew the answer to this! My producer will say “oh, you’ve found your sound and style, let's explore this more!” and the next song I bring him is totally different. My moods change like the Melbourne weather. I can be so into one thing and then jump to the next really quickly. I want to stay in the pop realm but I would love to try for some more stripped back sounds. Create space in the instrumentals so that lyrics can shine through. What I visualise in my mind when I start something is rarely what it ends up being in the end, with the exception of Aquarius, where my very first demo sounds just like a budget version of the finished product; the spirit of it was there, straight off the bat.
“I would shoot grand, elaborate film clips with their own little story for every piece of music I created but, as an independent artist, I have to be smart about where every cent goes”
Will there be a music video coming for 'Aquarius' or do you find them unnecessary in the age of streaming?
Honestly, my favourite thing about music when I was little was music videos. I’d get up at 5am on Saturday mornings religiously to watch Rage before my family got up. If I had a budget for it, I would shoot grand, elaborate film clips with their own little story for every piece of music I created but, as an independent artist, I have to be smart about where every cent goes. Fingers crossed in the near future that will all change :)
Can we expect a full length album or even an EP out soon from st.james?
As soon as humanly possible! I share my producers with some other incredibly talented and busy musicians so finding studio time is hard. I write each piece of music like it’s going on an album and I also find myself daydreaming about my album release and what it would look like. For now it’s one single at a time.
Will you be touring for the new song to showcase it live for fans?
I hope so! We’ve got some logistics to work out, show and scheduling wise, but it’s 100% part of my up and coming plans. I have so many cool ideas for stage shows and I feel most at home performing live, so to get to put a show together will be incredible.
'Aquarius' has a sound that would be at home in a festival environment, so are there plans for st.james to hit the festival circuit here or overseas?
Yes! Festivals just have such a cool energy, because there’s so much talent in one place. I have friends who do all the festivals and love watching them but I can’t wait till I get to be the one performing.
Names are so important in a creative world. Where did 'st.james' come from and what made you decide on it as your recording name?
My sister and I made alter egos when we were in NZ as kids, and they’ve stuck to this day. She’s Milo Russel and I’m James Chips. She’s always called me James, and I wanted a beautiful and mysterious name like Lana del Rey or W. Axl Rose so we came up with L. st James. I dropped the ‘L’ and kept st.James.
Who do you credit as your musical influences?
I love Halsey, FKA Twigs, Kim Petras, Lorde, Banks, Lana del Rey.. Strong ass women who’ve taken raw, honest songwriting and experimented with sounds, synths and instruments and made it into the mainstream. But I’m also hugely inspired by old rock music, maybe because it’s a comforting sound for me. I grew up listening to Bob Dylan, Bowie, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel. They’re just cool AF.
“If I could work with anyone in the industry it would have to be Jack Antonoff”
You are friends with a lot of big names in the music industry, does collaboration with any of them ever cross your mind? Who would be the ultimate Collab Partner for st.james?
I am always so flattered when I hear an artist who I admire and respect wants to work with me! Even when they’re my friends, it makes me feel like I have a talent and something to give. I would love to get in the studio with Ben (Boo Seeka) . We share producers and we’ve talked about it. Micci (who sings with Peking Duk, Flight Facilities) is such a darling and we’ve been chatting about a collab. Her solo stuff is just amazing so I'm pretty excited about that. If I could work with anyone in the industry it would have to be Jack Antonoff. He’s co written some of my favourite albums ever (Norman fucking Rockwell, Solar Power, Folklore and Evermore) I’d probably get so starstruck and freeze up though!
You made the move from Melbourne after 6 years to the Gold Coast. Do you find the GC a better place for creating and releasing music or is it strictly a weather influenced decision?
That’s kind of the reason, actually! I didn’t realise until I left Melbourne but I was chronically depressed there. Not having a big network of creators around me was definitely stunting my creativity and the weather played a huge part as well. Once I moved back and was in a better frame of mind everything started to fall into place and I realised just how necessary it is for me to feel content, in order to work productively.
People may also recognise you from your stint in the TV show Byron Baes, what was that experience like and will you be pursuing more on screen opportunities?
I’ve always wanted to work in showbiz, so singing, acting and dancing are all passions of mine and to have a career where I can explore all those things is all I want. Baes was hard, it was a really isolating time in my life. We signed NDA’s so I couldn't really branch out and make other friends there as I couldn’t tell them what I was getting up to in Byron, day to day.. I am so happy I did it, it was a huge opportunity for personal growth and to collect an international audience for my music. I am really proud of it. We’d love to shoot more seasons but it will depend on scheduling as music and touring would take precedence over that.
“To know a great photographer, radio host or publicist is invaluable.”
In your journey as a performer/musician have you changed? Is life much different for you from when you started out?
I never think that I’ve changed as a performer until I see footage of old live gigs resurface and then I’m like wow. What is happening here?! I think I’ve gotten more comfortable with myself and my stage presence and have learned to connect with my audience without just jumping around like a maniac the entire time! As for musically, I’ve spent so much more time writing, creating, shooting content for socials etc. that my piano skills are probably not what they used to be! I used to sit at the piano for literally hours a day, I WISH I had that kind of time now. Life has changed in the sense that I am recognised a little bit and also I just have more connections which makes every aspect of this journey that much easier. To know a great photographer, radio host or publicist is invaluable.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
My manager Pixie. Although I tell everyone in my team weekly how much I love and appreciate them. But Pixie goes above and beyond. The level of support is like no other. For example, the dress I wore to the Aquarius listening party was hand sewn by her 24 hours before the party because I couldn’t find anything that fit me. Finding that level of care, dedication and love is just so rare and I never for a second take her for granted!
What's next for you? What’s in store for st.james going forward?
Working on more music! Just getting better at everything in general. I take vocal and dance coaching, as well as mental coaching just to prepare for all the huge things! I’d love to go play some shows for my American audience and collab with some artists and producers over there. I’m so excited for the future.
Interview by Michelle Symes
July 2022