James Bay has said he won’t be letting his Brits Critics’ Choice award go to his head, but realises that the recognition can only help his career.
The honour is voted for by a panel of industry insiders and goes to the artist they think is most likely to make a splash in the coming year. Previous winners include Adele, Florence + The Machine, Emeli Sande and Sam Smith, with James chosen as the next big thing in 2015.
“I suppose it means I’m doing something right, doesn’t it?” the Hold Back The River singer said. “I don’t make music for awards, and I don’t think a lot of other people do either, even if some get caught up in that world.
“For me, the Critics’ Choice is a great bit of recognition. The Brits are a big deal, globally, and at the same time, as a Brit myself, it’s great that my music resonates on home turf. I like the idea of pushing boundaries and doing unexpected things in music, but that’s all ahead of me. For now, I need to make a mark.
“It’s by no means the-be-all-and-end-all, but it’s very cool,” added the Hertfordshire-born 24-year-old. “I’m not going to turn my nose up at something like that, I’d be mad to.”
Bay’s forthcoming debut album, Chaos And The Calm, looks destined for number one on pre-orders alone and he will embark on a sold-out tour in April.
He’s currently in the US performing his first headline tour there. His first show was a sold-out gig at the Bowery Ballroom, while his Los Angeles concert is at the 1,200-capacity Fonda Theatre. It too sold out within a few hours of tickets going on sale.
“It’s crazy to think I’ve sold those tickets. I mean, I’m not complaining, but it does baffle me. I don’t know how this happened. America is like five countries in one,” he said.
“It’s one thing to be selling out gigs in London and Glasgow and Manchester, they’re not that far apart and we have national radio, but Seattle to New York is a tremendous distance. Culturally, too.”
His forthcoming debut follows four EPs that have helped win him a huge following, but he believes Chaos And The Calm is the true picture he wants fans to hear. “I finished it last year and have been sitting on it for a while, so I can’t wait for people to finally hear it. The last eight months have gone like lightning, since I first started getting played on the radio. That is a very scary thing, that instant feedback.
“But on the other hand, it hasn’t gone fast at all, because I’ve been making an album for a few years. At the moment, I feel like we’re firing on all cylinders.”
James Bay releases his debut album Chaos And The Calm on March 23. He begins a UK tour on April 7.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article