James Bay (singer)
James Bay | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | James Michael Bay |
Born | Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England | 4 September 1990
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instrument(s) |
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Years active | 2013–present |
Labels | |
Children | 1 |
Website | jamesbay |
James Michael Bay
Early life
James Bay was born to Jill, a former fashion illustrator for Marie Claire, and Nick Bay, a wine merchant.[7][8] He has an older brother named Alex.[9] Bay's parents brought him up in Hitchin, Hertfordshire where he attended Hitchin Boys' School. Aged 11, Bay was inspired to play classical guitar after hearing Eric Clapton's "Layla".[10] He used an old rusty guitar with five strings he found in a cupboard in his house.[11] Bay is a supporter of Newcastle United F.C.[12]
When he moved to study in
Bay caught the attention of Republic Records A&R after a fan uploaded a video to YouTube of him performing at an open mic in London, and within a week, he signed to the label. His first EP, The Dark of the Morning, was released in 2013. Within a year, he was selling out his first UK headline tour.[10]
Career
2013–2017: Career beginnings and Chaos and the Calm
Bay released his debut
Bay recorded his entire debut studio album
In January 2015, Bay released his fourth
2018–2019: Electric Light
Bay released his second studio album,
2020–present: Leap
In the spring of 2020, Bay began making his third studio album in Nashville at the historic RCA Studio A alongside producer Dave Cobb, and collaborated with Brandon Flowers of the Killers during recording.[31] He released the single "Chew On My Heart" in July 2020.[32] Later that month, he streamed a live performance in support of the #SaveOurVenues campaign, to support efforts against the economic threat posed to grassroots venues during the COVID-19 pandemic.[33][34]
He released his third album, Leap on 8 July 2022.[35]
Gear
Bay endorses and plays Tone King amplifiers, a boutique amplifier brand of Premier Builders Guild.[36] In 2017, he released his Epiphone Signature "1966" Century Outfit, an accurate recreation of his customized 1966 Epiphone Century guitar which has James Bay's "Hat Man" logo on the headstock and custom strap.[37]
Personal life
Bay has been in a relationship with music promoter Lucy Smith since he was 16 years old.[38][39] The couple have a daughter named Ada Violet Bay who was born in October 2021.[40] They were married in August 2022.[41]
Discography
- Studio albums
- Chaos and the Calm (2015)
- Electric Light (2018)
- Leap (2022)
Tours
Headlining
Opening act
- Toured with ZZ Ward and the Wild Feathers. North America (2013)
- Toured with Kodaline UK and Ireland (2013)
- Toured with HozierNorth America (2014)
- 1989 World Tour (Europe) (2015)[45]
- The Rolling Stones - No Filter Tour (2018)[46]
- Ed Sheeran - ÷ Tour (Europe) (2019)[47]
- The Lumineers - Brightside World Tour North America (2022-2023)
Awards and nominations
Year | Organisation | Award | Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Brit Awards
|
Critics' Choice
|
Himself | Won | [48] |
MTV UK
|
Brand New for 2015 | Himself | Nominated | [49] | |
BBC | BBC Sound of 2015 | Himself | Nominated | [50][51] | |
MTV Video Music Awards
|
Artist to Watch | "Hold Back the River" | Nominated | [52] | |
MTV Europe Music Awards | Best New Act | Himself | Nominated | ||
Best Push Act | Nominated | ||||
GQ Men of The Year | Breakthrough Solo Artist | Himself | Won | [53] | |
Q Awards | Best New Act | Himself | Won | [54] | |
2016 | Grammy Awards | Best New Artist | Himself | Nominated | |
Best Rock Album | Chaos and the Calm | Nominated | |||
Best Rock Song | "Hold Back the River" | Nominated | |||
BRIT Awards
|
British Breakthrough Act
|
Himself | Nominated | ||
British Male Solo Artist | Won | ||||
British Single of the Year
|
"Hold Back the River" | Nominated | |||
British Album of the Year | Chaos and the Calm | Nominated | |||
Echo Music Prize | Best International Newcomer | Himself | Won | [55] | |
Ivor Novello Awards | Most Performed Work | "Hold Back the River" | Won | [56] | |
Q Awards | Best Solo Artist | Himself | Won | [57] | |
2019 | GAFFA-Prisen Awards | Best International Artist | Nominated | [58] | |
Best International Album | Electric Light | Nominated |
References
- ^ Bay, James Michael. "Songwriter/Composer: BAY JAMES MICHAEL". Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Retrieved 4 July 2017.
- ^ "New Music – Kimberley Anne, James Bay, Little Bear". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ "BBC Introducing – On the playlist: James Bay". BBC. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ Young, Richard (28 May 2010). "Hitchin guitarist 'One to watch' says EMI boss". The Comet. Archant Community Media. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- ^ "Brit Awards 2015: Winners list". BBC. Retrieved 26 February 2015
- ^ a b "Brit Awards 2016: Adele dominates with four awards". BBC. 25 February 2016.
- ^ "British Singer James Bay is Ready to Conquer 'the Biggest Prize of All' -- America". Billboard.
- Independent.co.uk. 20 March 2015.
- ^ "James Bay: What I know about women". 14 July 2018.
- ^ a b "Who is James Bay?". 4 December 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
- ^ Maeve Quigley (9 October 2015). "Modest James Bay not carried away with his quick-fire success". irishmirror. Archived from the original on 31 October 2015.
- ^ Mitchinson, Rory (2 September 2019). "'The atmosphere was incredible in there' - James Bay on United's win at Spurs". Newcastle United F.C. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "A Name to Remember: James Bay is a voice that you just won't forget". Her. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ "James Bay premieres new single 'Hold Back The River'". Music-News.com.
- ^ "James Bay, artist". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ^ Bayley, Leanne. "James Bay sang at Burberry SS15 show – but who is he?". Glamour Magazine UK. Archived from the original on 6 January 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ^ Bedian, Knar (14 November 2014). "Painted Faces and Fantastic Pipes: James Bay". Sound of Boston. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ^ "James Bay announces debut album". NME. 11 December 2014.
- ^ "James Bay, Chaos and the Calm, Album - bpi". Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 (29 March 2015 – 4 April 2015). Official Charts. Retrieved 21 July 2015
- ^ "BRIT Certified". BPI. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- The Telegraph. 26 June 2015.
- ^ "Electric Light by James Bay". 18 May 2018 – via itunes.apple.com.
- ^ "James Bay Chart History". Billboard.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
- ^ Duerden, Nick (8 March 2018). "James Bay interview: 'Do I really want to wander around the world with the hat and the long hair for another four years? No'". inews.co.uk.
- ^ Bassett, Jordan (18 May 2018). "James Bay – 'Electric Light' album review". NME.
- ^ "James Bay, Alicia Keys - Us (The Voice 2018)". 23 May 2018 – via YouTube.
- ^ "James Bay - Peer Pressure (Audio) ft. Julia Michaels". 21 February 2019 – via YouTube.
- ^ Moss, Rich (13 May 2019). "Atwood Magazine". James Bay's Beautifully Heartbreaking 'Oh My Messy Mind' EP.
- ^ "James Bay on new single 'Chew On My Heart'". 9 July 2020 – via NME.
- ^ Pipa, Alexa (14 July 2020). "Song You Need to Know: James Bay, 'Chew On My Heart'". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Moore, Sam (27 April 2020). "Music Venue Trust launches 'Save Our Venues' campaign". NME. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ "In support of the #SaveOurVenues campaign, I'm going to be performing a live set online for you this Thursday!". Instagram.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Shutler, Ali (8 July 2022). "James Bay – 'Leap' review: self-assured songs about satisfaction". NME. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "'Chaos and the Calm': James Bay Talks Songwriting, Opening for the Stones and More". Guitar World. 12 June 2015.
- ^ "James Bay Epiphone Century". Epiphone. 30 June 2017.
- ^ "James Bay on the 'fantastic drama' of fame". BBC News. 11 July 2020.
- ^ "James Bay: What I know about women".
- ^ Slater, Georgia. "James Bay Welcomes First Baby, Daughter Ada Violet with Partner Lucy Smith: 'We Are So in Love'". People. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ "Hitchin singer James Bay marries childhood sweetheart of 15 years". 15 August 2022.
- ^ "Chaos and the Calm Tour Dates Announced! – James Bay". James Bay. Archived from the original on 23 November 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- ^ "Electric Light Tour Dates Announced – James Bay". NME. 7 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ "James Bay announces new UK tour and shares moving video for 'One Life'". NME. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ "Taylor Swift Announces James Bay And Vance Joy As Support For 1989 Tour | MTV UK". MTV UK. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- ^ "Rolling Stones announce huge list of special guests for their 2018 UK tour". Independent.co.uk. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
- ^ "Ed Sheeran's 2019 UK and European tour support acts announced as The Darkness, James Bay and Zara Larsson". officialcharts.com. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
- ^ "Critic's Choice Winner Announced". Brit Awards. 4 December 2014.
- ^ "MTV's Brand New For 2015 Nominees announced". MTV. 24 November 2014.
- ^ "BBC Music Sound of 2015 longlist revealed". BBC. 1 December 2014.
- ^ "BBC Music Sound of 2015: James Bay". BBC News. 8 January 2015.
- ^ "2015 MTV Video Music Awards Nominees Revealed: Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran & More". Billboard. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
- ^ "BREAKTHROUGH SOLO ARTIST: JAMES BAY". GQ. 8 September 2015.
- ^ "Bay picked up Q Best New Act, presented by Orange Amplification". Q. 20 October 2015. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- ^ "James Bay wins the ECHO for International Newcomer". ECHO Awards. 15 April 2016. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ "Winners Announced for the 61st Ivor Novello Awards". The Ivors. 19 May 2016. Archived from the original on 23 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- ^ "Q Awards 2016: Muse, Bastille and James Bay win big as Madness enter Hall of Fame". London Evening Standard. 22 November 2016.
- ^ "GAFFA-Prisen – Og vinderne er..." gaffa.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 4 March 2020.