The Artist Explains: James Leonard Hewitson - 'Only The Noise Will Save Me'
We’ve chatted to the artist James Leonard Hewitson on his debut album ‘Only The Noise Will Save Me’ and how life in a defeated area in the North of England inspired his 10-song LP.
So your debut album ‘Only The Noise Will Save Me’ is out now, can you tell us how it came about and why you decided to start the project?
I had been experimenting with songs and gigging for a few years as a solo artist and with a band, after which I felt that I should probably make a decision to either leave it behind or make a larger body of work. I chose the latter, because I thought I owed it to myself and the songs!
Can you tell us about some of the underlying lyrical themes and the message you’re trying to put across?
The turbulence of your early 20s had a lot to do with the moods I created in this album. But ultimately, it's about the mundane, crap jobs, wanting it all but not knowing how to get it, dating apps, deprivation in the North East of England and so on. My message is that the part of the world that I live in is deflated in many ways, but it won't stop me from writing in a major key.
What was the recording process like? Did you have the tracks banked and ready to go or was it a lot of creativity in the studio?
I think it was a bit risky as I didn't even demo some songs before going in. I just sort of wrote them beforehand then did them in the studio. Luckily, Chris at Blank Studios has known me for a long time so working together on it all was pretty seamless, despite going insane doing rhythm guitar tracking.
If someone was hearing you for the first time, which tracks on the album would you say represented you the most?
I think 'Deader' is a good mean for me and my style, as there's a few different types of songs on the album. Start there, then move outward. 'My Art Is Usually Better' is probably the coolest song on there, 'Only The Noise Will Save Me' just sounds like triumph, and 'Shy Of Hard Work' is a barrel of laughs for how short it is.
Can we see you playing the album live anywhere?
10th March - London, The Finsbury
11th March - Manchester, Wilderness Recs
12th March - Glasgow, The Old Hairdressers
13th March - Newcastle, Bobiks
14th March - Hartlepool, The Studio
What else does the year hold for you?
More writing, more gigging, more recording.