Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: Music was a big part of my childhood. My parents played in a cover band, owned a music store and my dad was a piano tuner. Being around music all day showed me what an incredible life it was to be a musician.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “James Coates”?
A: I am old-fashioned and my way of connecting with new fans is in concert. I play over 100 shows a year and nurture the relationship further with social media. New fans should expect authentic songs written by one songwriter, played on real instruments and created without the use of AI.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: Cory Wong’s enthusiasm for music is infectious and I’m really excited by a lot of the things he’s been doing. Music offers me the opportunity to express thoughts and feelings that I, otherwise, would not have an outlet for. That’s my inspiration, to express myself.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Buy My Mom A House.”?
A: The song is a rejection of toxic masculinity and a celebration of the love, empathy, compassion and kindness that was instilled in me by my mom.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Authentic.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Buy My Mom A House”?
A: The biggest challenge any recording artist faces in 2025 is budget. Independent artists make virtually no streaming revenue from their songs, so the challenge is finding capital and choosing where to spend it wisely.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: My message is: Let love guide the way. No matter what choice you’re making: picking a career, choosing a life partner, voting… lead with love and you’ll always make the right choice.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: My dream was always to play with Tom Petty. He will always be my favorite and, when he passed away, it saddened me that his legacy of incredible craftsmanship of song was over. RIP Tom.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Get on stage and play in front of real people in real life. There’s no substitute.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: “Everything will be okay.”
