James Powell

Profile

Instruments

Genres

Influences

Equipment

What is music to you? What does it give you?

Music is life, with out it, life is quite boring. Explore and listen to as much music as you can. Let music enrich your life. Ever have a bad day and a song you listened to long ago cheered you up and turned your day around. There you go. Ever went to a party with out music? I want to see music be important again. Music programs need to be in schools. Music is the soundtrack to life!

What is your music dream?

I just want to get playing out again. I have always wanted to tour and go places. I have a family and they are more important. However, my kids are older now. My wife and I started a cover band called Little Deth Poets. We are just getting started to play out. We spent a few years getting the band solid. I want to do some traveling if things work out that way. I also, want to get back into writing and recording original music again.

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

The economy needs to be better. Art and music needs to really thrive again. Artists should be paid better than they currently are with itunes. Music needs to be back in schools. More opportunities for musicians to earn and develop. Music business education needs to be more accessible as well. You Tube is great, but the trend to de-monetize is disgraceful.

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

At the top of my head, I can not narrow it down. I was kid in 70's and 80's. I will have to come back to this one.

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

I have loved bands like Van Halen, RATT, Dokken, Metallica, Megadeth, Dream Theater, Lynch Mob, Extreme. King's X, 311, ZZ top. Steve Vai. I could go on and on.

What inspires you to make music?

New gear inspires me to make music. I just create it when I feel compelled to. I like collaborating when possible. Sometimes I wake up and have an idea.

What is the message you want to send with your music?

Write how you feel, angry about something? Turn that anger into a song. Sad about something, express it. Be real and do what comes to your heart.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

Well, I enjoy playing no matter how many are in the room. Obviously when there is a crowd it is much better. When you feed off the crowd it gets interesting. I have always tried to have as positive experience as possible.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

I have mixed feeling about being a musician today. To be really successful you have to do multiple bands, sell merchandise, own a guitar company, run a You Tube Channel, Twitter, Instagram. Musicians have to buy lots of gear. Places have unreal expectations of new artists or new bands. How many people can your band bring? People in general have no idea, the craziness involved to keep a band together, yet alone, squeeze people in a van. It takes a lot energy and time. Not being 20 years old anymore, really makes things tough!

What do you think of Drooble?

Kind of soon to ask?

What frustrates you most as a musician?

Club owners that expect you to bring a ton of people and do next to no promotion. Putting out FB announcements and about your gigs not reaching interested parties. FB charging to reach people. Not being comfortable uploading music, because you know you will not earn what you deserve for your music.

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

I try to go to shows if possible. I spread posts.

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

Great songs, best possible production, talent, uniqueness, original content, live videos, lyric videos, touring. All hard to do still without resources in 2019. Even though technology makes it possible to produce anywhere.