On Tuesday, December 13, 2011, Suite101's Markos Papadatos spoke with American Idol Season 10 fourth place finalist James Durbin. He discussed his latest CD, new single “Love Me Bad,” and shared his future goals.
James Durbin Talks “Memories of a Beautiful Disaster”
According to James Durbin, he remarks, “Memories of a Beautiful Disaster is about looking back on moments of my life that, growing up, I thought were disastrous, but now that I am older and wiser, I can look at the memories and see beauty in all of the pain, since it made me who I am today, and I never want to change that.”
“It’s been an incredible journey being on American Idol, to being on Wind-up Records, and to have an album out. It’s doing great on iTunes and on Billboard. It debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard Rock Charts, and that’s all thanks to my fans. There are a lot of people to thank for that,” he says.
Regarding the song selection process of his new record, Durbin states, “some of the songs I co-wrote myself, and some were written for me.”
“ My favorite song on the CD is “‘ Higher than Heaven.’ It’s about my life leading up to when I met my fiancée Heidi. Prior to that, I was digging myself a ditch. After I met her unexpectedly, everything in life turned right side up. I was going down the wrong path, and she lit up my life,” Durbin shares.
James Durbin Talks “Love Me Bad”
“‘Love Me Bad’ was written by Marti Frederiksen, who wrote songs for Aerosmith, Pink, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Chris Daughtry. It’s a power rock ballad and it embodies wanting back something that you’ve lost,” Durbin says.
“The music video for ‘Love Me Bad’ was great. I was able to get on the phone with the director, Roman White, and we figured out how to do it all. Basically, he and I formulated the idea,” he adds.
James Durbin Talks “May”
“‘May’ was written by an extraordinary songwriter called Doug Brown from the band Safety Suit. It’s about a widowed father having to raise his daughter, and sure enough, she grows up to look like his past wife. It’s a really heavy subject, and it was the toughest song to record,” he acknowledges.
James Durbin Talks About Mick Mars
Durbin’s album features a spellbinding collaboration with Mick Mars, the lead guitarist from Motley Crue.
“Mick Mars is absolutely unbelievable!” Durbin exclaims. “He approached us from the kindness of his heart and he believed in me as an artist. He reached out and wanted to play on a song on the album. There is no greater fit than ‘Outcast.’”
James Durbin Talks About “Stand Up”
Memories of a Beautiful Disaster closes with “Stand Up.”
“I was approached by the NFL with the song ‘Stand Up.’ I was completely honored and thankful for the opportunity to be interested in that. We decided to put it on the album. If you like hard-hitting songs like that, then you are going to love the whole album.”
James Durbin Discusses his Proudest Accomplishments
“Performing with Judas Priest on the American Idol finale was a huge honor! I was thankful to them for accepting me as a singer, artist and performer. I was really honored by them. My greatest accomplishment so far has been that I have put out an album. That has been my dream my whole life: to put out a CD and to be a working musician, as well as to support myself and my family by doing what I love to do, which is music. It’s the only thing I know how to do, and the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do,” he says.
James Durbin Opens Up About Fatherhood
“When I’m home, I’m home. I try not to bring too much business when I’m at home. Sometimes when I have to do business, I go up to my desk upstairs and do my work, and then come right back down. I really cherish the moments I have with my family and my son Hunter. It’s tough and I am new to the business, and I’m still learning. There’s a lot to be done when you’re starting out in the business,” Durbin states.
James Durbin Talks Future Plans
“We’re currently working out on doing a tour, which will hopefully start this upcoming year. I’ve been writing a lot of songs lately, and we’re practicing a lot. We really want to give my fans the greatest show that we possibly can, since it’s the fans that got us here, and we owe them everything. I want to give them nothing but the best,” he reveals.
When asked about his dream duet choices in music, Durbin discloses “Steven Tyler and Patti LaBelle.” “I draw a lot of inspiration from both just for what they do. I have so much respect for how they make their living,” he adds.
For his fans, Durbin expresses his sincere gratitude towards them. “Thank you for everything. Thanks for staying true to who you are.”
James Durbin Gives Advice to Hopefuls in Music
For hopefuls who wish to make it in the music industry, James Durbin underscores, “Believe in yourself and really put that energy out there. Energy is like money. Don’t put it somewhere if you don’t have the full belief that this is what you want. I put all of my energy and belief in succeeding in the music business. I put a great deal of belief into getting on American Idol. I believed in every moment of every day, and put that energy out into the universe. I prayed and I really focused on the power of believing that it’s possible, and living as though you already have it.”
“I feel successful because I get to go home to a fiancée and a son that love me. I am able to be a working musician and a father. We’re getting married in a couple of weeks,” Durbin concludes.
Many thanks to James Durbin for granting this interview!
For more information on James Durbin, visit his official website.
Source
- Telephone Communication with James Durbin. December 13, 2011.
Markos Papadatos - Markos Papadatos holds over six years journalism experience, authoring over 700 articles, many of which are feature profile interviews.
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