James Bruner

 James Bruner’s debut album ‘Can’t Keep Wanting You’ is out now. As he gears up for a November 2026 return to the UK as special guest to Then Jerico, he kindly chatted to us: 

You have your new album ‘Can’t Keep Wanting You’ out now. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

 

Mainly differently. I had the rough mix of “OMG,” the first song Shane and I wrote together, finished before the sessions for The Otherside had even started, so I got a taste of two very different approaches in a pretty short span of time. I love studios, but I also love bedroom rock, and I feel like this is where those two worlds meet and shake hands with my sound. More than anything, I wanted to do what was best for the songs and take as many risks as I could along the way.

 

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

 

The album was recorded at the home studio of my producer, Shane Weisman in east Nashville. Funny enough, it was actually located on “Inspiration Blvd.”

 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

 

There were so many. It was a lot of fun throughout the days and nights of its conception. We even brought in one of my best friends and guitarists, Zach Mears, to lay his magic down on some of the tracks. Every session was a journey.

 

OH! One story that really sticks out to me is recording the vocal parts for “It’s Too Late,” which is the highest I’ve ever sung. I was extremely sick with a nasty cold in the dead of winter. I went back in later to overdub some parts, but the majority of the song is vocals recorded while I had the cold. Sometimes I can’t believe my voice let me get away with that performance.

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

 

We used a bunch of different guitars. Five different guitars in total: my Fender Stratocaster, Gibson Les Paul Junior, and Gretsch Streamliner, plus Shane’s Fender Telecaster and Zach’s Gibson Les Paul Custom. For some of the guitar tones, we ran a LA-2A into an 1176.

 

For my vocals, we used a classic SM7B, along with some EchoBoy delay to shape the tone. Aside from that, the whole record has tape saturation all over it.

 

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most

reflective?

 

Ooooo… That’s a good question!

 

(HAPPY) “Take It or Leave It”: It’s a scream of gratitude for the life that I have.

 

(ANGRY) “Getaway” or “Hypnotized”: Both are about being in low places and screaming “NO” in the face of doubt.

 

(REFLECTIVE) “SMS”: It’s about evaluating how I lost sight of my dreams and reflecting on why I love what I get to do so much.

 

Who were the musicians who were on the album with you?

 

Most of the record is myself and Shane Weisman. For the drums, we had Chris Barber and Jay Cobain. Both are absolute killers on the kit, and I actually had the privilege of touring alongside Jay when he was playing drums for Yonaka on the first tour I did with Barns Courtney. Every time I watched their set, I was blown away by him. He absolutely beat the hell out of that kit night after night.

 

For the extra otherworldly guitar solo parts it was none other than the man himself making those strings squeal, The Reverend Zach Mears.

 

Does the album’s title have a specific meaning/significance?

 

The album title is, in a way, kind of a metaphor. There are so many different vibes throughout the record, but it all comes back to love and passion fuelling defiance. Can’t Keep Wanting You serves as a metaphor for not giving up. While I may doubt things, want to throw in the towel, or even consider wanting something else, deep down I know that I don’t want to do anything else. I know I’m right where I need to be. My love for it will always remain the catalyst.

 

Was it a difficult album to write?

 

At times, absolutely. I feel like I hear every artist say that they are their own worst critic, but it’s so true. This collection of songs is very different from anything I had put out before, and I’d be lying if I said there haven’t been times when I’ve caught myself overthinking whether I was doing everything right—singing-wise, songwriting-wise, delivery-wise, the list goes on. Especially with this being my debut album, I definitely felt the pressure in all the usual places.

 

With that being said, I wouldn’t trade it for anything! I had so much fun exploring this side of myself and taking this leap of faith, all while wearing my heart on my sleeve. I’m proud of these songs, and I hope they can be the safe space for others that they are for me.

 

Who designed the album artwork?

 

I went through a few different ideas but the final and my favorite was done with the help of my trusty ole confidants that have been with me though the last 4 years. They are none other than Elijah Settles and Zach Mears.

 

 One of the tracks is the single ‘Hypnotized’. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

 

Hypnotized is definitely more on the punky/aggressive side of the record. I wrote this one particularly about self-doubt and the tricks that your mind can play on you. I would say it was at a point in the album’s processes where I was over analyzing everything and just wanted to scream a defiant NO to all of those looming thoughts.

 

That song in particular, I always have a blast playing live and make sure to always give that final scream everything in me just as much as the day it was written.

 

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2026/2027?

 

It’s looking that way! November seems to be the season for it, and I can’t argue with that. I LOVE the fall in Europe. After so many years of touring in the fall, it’s become a bit of a tradition—and one I never get tired of.

Feature Image Photo Credit:  Elijah Settles

James Bruner’s debut album ‘Can’t Keep Wanting You’ is out now on Maroon Records.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/26Kq1x6b7bXarXRGCaxbP4

In addition, James Bruner will be touring the UK in November 2026 as support to Then Jerico alongside some headline dates:

19th November 2026 – The Parish, Huddersfield (Support to Then Jerico) Tickets

20th November 2026 – Room 2, Glasgow, Scotland (Support to Then Jerico) Tickets

21st November 2026 – The Old Fire Station, Carlisle (Support to Then Jerico) Tickets

23rd November 2026 – Black Heart, Camden, London (Headline Show) Tickets

27th November 2026 –  The Booking Hall, Dover (Support to Then Jerico) Tickets

28th November 2026 – Asylum 2, Birmingham (Headline Show) Tickets