Connie Constance – 'James'
Rising singer-songwriter Connie Constance gets up close and personal on “anti-drug, drug song” ‘James’.
To a laid-back setting of smooth soul rhythms infused with the indie rock twang of sticky guitars, ‘James’ keeps it real. Extremely hard-hitting lyricism forms the heart and soul of the track as Connie’s poetic narratives serve as a safe space for a much-needed confession - “I hope the drugs make you feel better whilst you try to stay alive. I’m using mine to feel deader.” But as ‘James’ soars into a catchy, beat driven chorus, there is a much deeper underlying message to uncover.
“The song starts with lyrics that were taken directly from a text message I sent to a friend. Only for them to reply with similar symptoms, however in contrast with my recreational use, their drug experience is a result of a lifelong health battle, which I will never know the full extent of,” Connie says about the track. “And there it was.... the conundrum answered and the notion changed. How dare I treat myself this way. What kind of example does this set to young girls like me?...to the people that listen to my songs and resonate with my stories...Showing them that instead of getting therapy or working on themselves, they should just have self-destructive weekends. ‘Ew. Not cute Cons, this is not the life little you aspired to live.’ Especially when there are people who don’t have the luxury to get absolutely shit-faced when times are tough and might happily trade places if freaky Friday was a real thing. I wrote out the story, as it was, to hopefully deliver the same epiphany to anyone who listens or even just so they might feel comfort in not being alone in those times of emotional warfare. And so here it is my anti-drug drug song. For people to relate to, but maybe will plant seeds of change to; ‘James’.”
Words by Laura Freyaldenhoven