September 2001
James Walsh, lead singer with Starsailor, chatted online live from the TOTP studios.
BBC Host: Here's the first question.
Question from Claire: Just wanted to know what the best gig you've ever been to is?
James Walsh: The best gig I've ever been to is probably the Charlatans at the Manchester Apollo in 1996. I'm a massive Charlatans fan. I think the new album is fantastic. We're actually supporting them on the Arena tour in December. So that'll be the best gig ever!
Question from Sarah: Who should get to No.1? Posh or Kylie?
James Walsh: Kylie. Just because it's a stronger song, and I think she's a better singer.
Question from Kathy: "You've got your daddy's eyes - Daddy was an alcoholic". Great line - anyone in mind?
James Walsh: Quite a few people really! It's more society-based and opinion-based rather than about anyone in particular. I knew it would be a striking lyric and people would be able to find inspiration in it. It's definitely not a line that's been widely-used before.
Question form Sarah: Hi James, I live near, and go to college in Wigan. Any chance of some gigs round here soon?
James Walsh: The nearest gig we're going to be doing are the Manchester and Liverpool dates on the tour. There's no plans to play Wigan as yet, until we're big enough to play Haigh Hall! That's what the Verve did.
Question from Joe: Do you go onto your message board often? If so, you'll know who I am. Has your banter with the audience improved since you first started?
James Walsh: We always go to our website. I think the banter has improved, but it's up to Joe to decide. I think Joe would probably know better how much the banter is improved!
Question from Marty: Do you get many groupies?
James Walsh: Yes, but I have to decline the offers because I'm "settled" in a relationship, so I have to palm them off on the other members of the band, unfortunately.
Question from Michael Lintott: If I was to give each member of the band £100, what would be the first thing that each person would buy?
James Walsh: I think I would definitely buy new records and CDs, and have a little bit left over to have a few beers! Ben would probably spend most of it on the beers! Stel would probably spend £50 on beers and lose the other £50! Barry would buy Star Trek videos and jazz albums!
Question from Indie: What do you think of the Strokes and the White Stripes?
James Walsh: I think the Strokes are an exciting live band, as are the White Stripes, but it remains to be seen how much longevity they have.
Question from MatthewJFan: I've heard that parts of your album sound like Richard Ashcroft (which is good). Do you think that there's a Wigan sound?
James Walsh: Not particularly a Wigan sound, but there's definitely a Northern sound. Being as none of us were brought up in Wigan!
Question from S Joseph: What do you think of the British music scene?
James Walsh: I think the British music scene is about to change dramatically, being as we did a show the other night which was predominantly a pop show and we were in the company of Elbow, Super Furry Animals, Ian Brown and Garbage. That's the changing face of British music. I think guitar music is gradually edging out.
Question from Gary McKee: Do you want to be famous - I mean, really famous?
James Walsh: Not really famous, no. I'd like to be a revered and respected musician, but I am slightly at odds with the prospect of becoming a celebrity. Sometimes people approach me when I'm out for a drink, and sometimes people don't expect to see me on the tube. Their reactions have been generally good. I would get upset if it became intrusive, and if people lost respect that I need to be on my own sometimes, even if I am out.
Question from Simon Jenkins: What is your favourite Neil Young song and why?
James Walsh: My favourite Neil Young song changes quite a lot, but at the moment it is 'Down By The River' because it's such a complex song, and I think the guitar in it is so intense. And also the moods and expressions that can be explored in one piece is perfect. That's closely followed by 'Expecting to Fly' because the strings are amazing. And I think probably 'She Just Wept'; a confessional Neil Young style song.
Question from Jessica: James, I love your voice! Do you have singing lessons or are you just naturally that talented?
James Walsh: I've never had singing lessons, but I've always sung in choirs. I've been guided a bit in doing that, in breathing and things, but I've never been for a private lesson or anything. Gigs are practice and I'm always singing around the house. When a good song comes on I sing along. I occasionally sing along to Kylie, and S Club 7.
Question from Carlos Oliveira: How much did Jeff Buckley's tragically short career affect your music?
James Walsh: I think the Buckleys, both Jeff and Tim, deeply affected me in the respect that they were able to touch so many people and make such inspiring music without getting caught up in the whole media game.
Question from Vicky: What are your views on dance music? Would you ever get a dance remix done of one of you tracks?
James Walsh: In answer to the second question, we've already had 3 DJs remix 'Good Souls', and we were happy with the results. I'm a big fan of the Chemical Brothers, and Echo Boy and the Avalanches - I think they're brilliant. I think most of the dance music in the high end of the charts is terrible! Especially DJ Otzi...
Question from Cat Deely: Bob Dylan is soon releasing his 42nd (ish) album. Do you think you'll last that long?
James Walsh: You never can tell! Our aim is to get through the next 10 years and see where it goes from there. We've started thinking about the next album, and have written a few songs for it. We want the next album to be more ambitious musically and more direct lyrically.
Question from Claire Stoneman: Which is the best track on 'Love Is Here'?
James Walsh: I think 'Tie Up Your Hands' is the best track on 'Love is Here'. It's not really single material, though. There's going to be a fourth single but we haven't decided which one yet.
Question from Fall Guy: NME or Q?
James Walsh: NME. Nothing to do with the fact that I'm on the cover this week. I like both magazines, though. It's odd to be on the cover. It doesn't feel like it's me, really. It's nice for my mum!
Question from Alan Doyle: Who were you most impressed with at the Fleadh?
James Walsh: I was most impressed with Neil Young, undoubtedly.
Question from Dan D: Since day one, you've been really hyped. Are you nervous about the release of the album?
James Walsh: We're quite relaxed about the release. We're proud of the record and know that we've given our everything in recording it. There's nothing we can do except wait and see what people think.
Question from Jen McCoy: What did you think when you saw the huge amount of people who watched you at V2001? What a great show!
James Walsh: Wow! Thank you. That's it. It's coming up to a year since we got our first articles and things. We hope to remain this prolific. I still see myself as quite a slow songwriter, compared to Ryan Adam and Ed Harcourt, who have songs coming out of their ears!
Question from Simon: How did you get to where you are now? I'm in a band in Devon and it seems next to impossible to get anywhere. When did you know that you had broken it?
James Walsh: I think the key is not to worry about getting famous, and make sure that you're doing it because you're enjoying the music, and just keep playing shows and think about what your band offers that other bands don't, as in the sound and the songs. We must have an original sound.
Question from Stuart: That was absolute classic when you ran on-stage and sang with Ed Harcourt at the Astoria! Shows what an amazing bloke you are!
James Walsh: I really enjoyed singing with Ed Harcourt, and we hope to do gigs or collaborate with him again. Hopefully we'll get Ed on some more supports in the future, because he's a funny bloke to have around!
Question from Rob: You used to be known as the humblest men in music. Have you changed at all?
James Walsh: Very slightly. We've become a little more confident, but we still think we have a long way to go. We just feel a bit tired!
Katherine Godfrey: If you could go back in time and see any band or artist you never got to see, for one reason or another, who would it be?
James Walsh: Jeff Buckley, without a shadow of a doubt. Or Nick Drake.
TOTP-Host: That is all we have time for. Here is James with a final word.
James Walsh: Thanks for logging in, everyone. I hope you enjoy the album! It's released on 8th October. Keep safe!
