James Bruner Talks Latest Single, His Voice And More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Duff Press
Illinois born; Nashville based singer-songwriter James Bruner has released his new single “Switchblade” before playing 21 dates across the EU and UK throughout October and November 2025. James chatted to us about the song, his voice and more:
When did you begin singing/songwriting?
I’ve been singing as far back as I can remember. My older sister used to sing all the time, so it was something we bonded over. As far as songwriting goes, I have been writing consistently since the age of 18.
What is your earliest musical memory?
There are so many, but one of the earliest ones I can remember was the melody of “My Little Demon” by Fleetwood Mac. My mom played the live CD of ‘The Dance’ and that was definitely an impactful and extremely early musical memory for me.
You have your new single ‘Switchblade’ which is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?
I was in a situation where someone I had once trusted took advantage of me. I wanted to write a song that encapsulated that feeling of being betrayed and backstabbed. Ultimately, the inspiration for the song was punk rock and being backed/stabbed.
Was it a difficult song to write?
For the most part, no, I feel like when you are songwriting, that is your moment to confront feelings and emotions that you might be uncomfortable with, so I went ahead and let them all fly.
Will the track be accompanied by a visualiser?
Yes, it will! There is a visualiser for ‘Switchblade’ up on YouTube right now!
Where did you record the single, and who produced it?
I recorded this song at Curb Studios @ 43 in Nashville, TN, while recording my new EP. The song was produced by my guitar player, Zach Mears, and my drummer, Sam Jenkins.
Do you have any interesting, funny, or memorable stories from the recording sessions?
We all had such a fun time making this up-and-coming record. Aside from the fact that the band and I consumed a lot of Thai food during the recording sessions, people may not know that my guitar player Zach’s Dog Ellie was present for every session. She definitely made the vibes better with her presence. We couldn’t be grumpy while looking at a cute dog in the studio!
Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, or recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?
We definitely used some tape delay on my vocals as well as a 1976 Marshall JMP 50-watt amp for the guitars on ‘Switchblade.’ We were also blessed to be able to mix the record with a Fairchild compressor!
Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest, and c) most reflective?
1. The happiest track has got to be ‘Redlight.’ It just has that classic rock n roll sound with a going fast and feeling good vibe.
2. The angriest would be ‘Endless’. You can definitely hear it in the lyrics, and when I scream the words “I’m not done.”
3. The most reflective track would be ‘I Get Everything.’ Those lyrics were a reflection of the feelings of greed.
Do you have any further music releases planned for 2025?
Most Definitely! Without giving too much detail away, after this episode, there will be plenty more music.
What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?
The two things that I would hope would be that the audience gets more than their money’s worth, and that I gave it everything I had while out there.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones, etc?
I love the SM7dB microphone, a Scarlet Audio interface, and my vintage II Fender Stratocaster. That guitar has been my go-to in rehearsals lately, and I can’t wait to take it on the road in the fall. I also feel like those three pieces of equipment are perfect for recording anywhere you are.
How do you look after your voice?
Hydration is key, so first and foremost, I drink a lot of water. I also use a vocal nebulizer for my throat if I feel dry. I got it from a brand called VocalMist, and I love it. And lastly, Sleep! My voice always feels so much better when I get the proper amount of rest.
You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?
It would have to be “Tarantula” by Bob Dylan. It was his only work of fiction, and he wrote it when he was 24. It’s a collection of spontaneous lyrics, poetry, and stories that is wild and sometimes very hard to understand. I would need his help, so maybe we could co-direct the film, that way he could help me understand what he was thinking better, haha.
Where is your hometown, and could you please describe it in five words?
My hometown is Springfield, Illinois. If I could describe it in 5 words, they would have to be Small, Historic, Cornfield, Simple, Horseshoe. A horseshoe is a sandwich dish that Springfield created. Look it up and thank me later.
Do you have any live dates in the UK/Europe planned for 2025/2026?
Yes! I will be supporting Those Damn Crows on tour in the UK and Europe in the fall, and I can’t wait!
What makes James Bruner happy, and what makes you unhappy?
Making and performing music will always make me the happiest. What makes me unhappy is sleeping in when I had intentions of getting up early.
Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Duff Press
James Bruner’s latest single ‘Switchblade’ is out now.
Listen Here: https://james-bruner.lnk.to/switchblade
October and November will see James supporting Those Damn Crows across the EU and UK – playing 21 dates across six countries. Full tour dates are as follows:
Fri 3rd Oct 2025 Luxor, Koln GERMANY
Sat 4th Oct 2025 Matrix Bochum, Bochum GERMANY
Sun 5th Oct 2025 Beatpol, Dresden GERMANY
Tues 7th Oct 2025 Hole44, Berlin GERMANY
Wed 8th Oct 2025 Bahnhof Pauli, Hamburg GERMANY
Thurs 9th Oct 2025 Das Bett, Frankfurt Am Main GERMANY
Sat 11th Oct 2025 Mokka, Thun SWITZERLAND
Sun 12th Oct 2025 Viper Room, Vienna AUSTRIA
Tues 14th Oct 2025 Poppodium 013, Tilburg NETHERLANDS
Fri 17th Oct 2025 o2 Academy, Leicester UK
Sat 18th Oct 2025 Stylus, Leeds UK
Mon 20th Oct 2025 Boiler Shop, Newcastle Upon Tyne UK
Tues 21st Oct 2025 SWG3, Glasgow UK
Wed 22nd Oct 2025 Albert Hall, Manchester UK
Fri 24th Oct 2025 Crane, Bristol UK
Sun 26th Oct 2025 Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth UK
Tues 28th Oct 2025 Engine Rooms, Southampton UK
Thurs 30th Oct 2025 o2 Institute, Birmingham UK
Fri 31st Oct 2025 Shepherds Bush Empire, London UK
Thurs 6th Nov 2025 Limelight, Belfast UK
Fri 7th Nov 2025 The Grand Social, Dublin EIRE
For further information www.jameshbruner.com
