In Conversation With: James Deacon
South African newcomer James Deacon has just released his debut single ‘Not Givin’ Up’, which sees the Johannesburg multi-instrumentalist teaming up with Bad Future Records for the release. He took a moment to talk to us about the release.
Your new track ‘Not Givin’ Up’ is out now, what is the track about? What inspired the song?
The song is about following your passion regardless of setbacks or nay sayers. Basically, just do what makes you happy and never give up. In my opinion, pursuing your dreams and your happiness is what life is all about.
You suffered an accident that severed the tendons in your right arm, do you mind telling us what happened?
I was working as a bartender and during a Monday evening shift, I slipped and fell on a bottle of Roses Passionfruit Cordial and severed the nerves, tendons and arteries in my right arm. After six hours of reconstructive surgery and months of recovery I was able to play guitar and violin again even though I have no feeling and very little mobility in half of my right hand. I was saved by my best friend and bassist in the band, Daniel Pawson, who was working with me and wrapped his belt around my arm to stop the bleeding.
This accident affected you ability to play your favorite instruments, how did that feel at first, and what drove you to continue pursuing music after it?
It was devastating because my dreams were seemingly unachievable. I went through a deep depression as a result but through support and help from family and friends I was able to move past the injury, use it as a driving force to not waste a second of my life and go for broke on my dreams.
Your single sees you blending a lot of genres, where do you draw your inspiration from?
Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer, Stevie Wonder, Incubus... I have a relatively diverse taste in music and I draw from that when writing and always try to be honest in my lyrics.
This track is a taster of your EP, what can we expect from it and when will it be coming out
The second single will be released on the 24th May and the full EP will follow that on the 14th June. You can expect a whirlwind of different genres and styles with some amazing production courtesy of the team at Bad Future Records.