James Kirby feat. Johannes Köppen
Biographie James Kirby feat. Johannes Köppen
James Kirby
From one of his earliest memories James Kirby remembers strumming his guitar as his father played away at the keys of a piano and his brother held the rhythm on the drums. But the six string that he now comes to play so magnificently was not his first instrument. From the age of four, James was encouraged to play more classical themed instrumentation such as the Piano, Cello and Viola. Though in hindsight he expresses a thought of not being "as good" at these in comparison to the drums and (of course) the guitar, which were both introduced to him at the age of eight.
The man is a multi-instrumentalist and the refined method in which he now plays (knowingly or not) salutes his introduction to his earlier and more formal instrumentation.
And music, seemingly for him, was not just a stay at home pass time. Even in earlier days James has been a part of choirs, orchestras, Jazz/Rock and Indie bands. All these styles, settings and genres aided his understanding and development in music... But they were aided too by his natural, almost perfect pitch ear for music and dynamics.
As life went on James came in to the world we all know. One of four letters that binds our lives to paper and restricts our dreams... Work. His music continued as an overlay to the 9-5 lifestyle with regular gigs 5 times a week between Kent and London. Exhausted and shattered from the fine lines between what he did (work) and what he was (a musician) the then suppressed flame of his passion burst beyond its confinement. It was time for for a change and a time to be all that he was. He pushed his music, utilising the 9-5 to get him where he needed.
His efforts were rewarded with a contract to play full time in bars, clubs and restaurants in Europe & The Middle East. With every note played it seemed he took another step forward and with his new found knowledge and experience a life on the road became a reality rather than a dream. The doors to touring across the UK/Europe were opening.
James Kirby holds a story so many don't see!!
Here we have a man who some actually refuse to call a "Guitarist" even with all this hard work in practice and talent... James Kirby IS a Musician! He is a Composer and an Artist!
And he is his own. He has made what once may have seemed impossible an actual life.
Hard work, determination and as you have read, sacrifice. Admittedly it is not a life of glamour, more so one of a diary, equipment and petrol receipts.
It is a world James himself built and though he gives great thanks and appreciation to those along the way, if you look deep into the core of what he has done, he has done it alone.
This man alone separates those who want to be musicians from those who actually are! And he is a beacon to those who hold the passion of music as close as each and every drawing breath, that there is a life that can be achieved. And you don't need to bombard labels to do it nor sell your soul. So drop the glam, roll up your sleeves, definitely drop the ego and get some good old hard graft in.
And there is more to come from James in the near future, from collaborations with other artists to his own EP and album... And not forgetting another self made European Tour.
