In a landscape where originality is often overshadowed by trends, James Berkley stands out as a beacon of authenticity and creative courage. With a sound that fuses heartfelt storytelling and genre-blending artistry, James has captivated audiences who crave music with meaning and soul. Whether he’s performing on stage or connecting with fans online, James’s journey is a testament to the power of vulnerability, resilience, and staying true to one’s vision.
In this exclusive conversation with Divine Magazine®, James opens up about his creative process, the challenges of navigating today’s music industry, and the inspirations that fuel his ever-evolving sound. Join us as we dive into the stories behind the music, explore the lessons learned along the way, and discover what’s next for this rising artist.
What inspired you to start writing songs as a way to cope with the chaos in the world?
I was 14 when I thought about taking my own life; actually, I was convinced that the world, my family & my friends would be better off if I wasn’t around. It was all a lie, but I didn’t realize this until I heard a song by Jason Mraz called “Details in the Fabric.” The guitar parts called out to me & I picked up the guitar to learn the song, then the lyrics & melody inspired me to rethink my conclusions. Every line of that song, including the voice mail sampled in the song, brought me back to life & into my right mind. It’s beautiful what music can do even when the artist who created the music isn’t around. Later in life, I got to spend time with Jason & helped as an assistant engineer on one of his albums. It was an honor to spend time with the man. I owe him a lot more than he realizes. Now I write my own thoughts down, turn them into lyrics, & keep the songs that remind me of the beauty of life.
How did playing music bring you peace, and how does that influence your songwriting now?
I’ve written about quite a few subjects from real-life experiences, & I noticed that when I sang the songs about heartbreak, I would attract more heartbreak into my life. When I would sing about my spirit growing from meditating on the ocean’s current, then I would repeat that song & watch how my own spirit felt stronger each time. I now am more aware of what I am writing about, & if the song brings peace into my life or strength into my perspective, that’s a song worth repeating as well as sharing with others. It’s easy to resonate with the negative emotions, but it takes courage to envision a better life & speak it into existence. Songwriting & mantra-style meditations seem to help attract that vision’s clarity until it becomes the reality.
How did your experience on the church worship team shape your early musical training and songwriting?
My dad was an incredibly powerful leader, & when folks spoke with him, they felt like they were the only person in the room. There were some nights I would see my dad staying up all night in the dining room or living room, writing down songs that God gave him. Also we did something called prophetic worship, where we would play music in the church for hours & listen closely to what we thought God was telling us, then we would sing it. Sometimes these sessions would turn into full songs, & sometimes it was only a verse or only a chorus that was meant for one person in the room. Watching my dad have creative & spiritual freedom is what inspired me to write my own songs.
Which punk, metal, hip hop, or rock artists most influenced your sound, and how?
Growing up my iPod mostly had bands like Underoath, The Classic Crime & August Burns Red, which all had very poetic lyrics that expressed deep emotional perspectives. The songwriting still to this day is some of my favorite work, but now I have developed my taste to be more influenced by folk & rock artists like Jack Johnson, Switchfoot & Bill Withers.
What were the names and roles of the bands you started in your teens, and what did you learn from those projects?
Performing in bands in my teens were some of my favorite memories! I learned how to create space instead of taking up space. I recorded a lot of demos & wrote a ton of songs; those experiences were great stepping stones to get to where I’m at today. There were a few bands in my teens but they never really released any music. My church friends & I had a rock band called Seraphim when I was 14, then a band formed called Prepare the Bride, which was a metal band. That one lasted about a year, & we actually played some shows, tried to record some demos & made artwork for the music. Then I ended up making a pop punk band with some of those metalheads; we called the band Right Your Wrongs. That band did record a couple albums, released them, and had a following in the Seattle area & we even toured to Southern Cali & back a few times. The drummer of that band went through a brain surgery & lost all of his memories of the band, the songs & me as a friend… So I haven’t really been in his life since. I attempted to continue the band, but no one was able to fill in the role that he had once filled. So the band faded out after a couple more years of attempts. I am still learning from all of those experiences.
What prompted the shift from band work to focusing primarily on acoustic guitar?
I noticed that a lot more folks would come up & talk to me after shows when I played solo. I like playing in bands, but it has become extremely isolating. I was spoiled as a teenager to have such tight-knit friendships with my bandmates, & they were so outgoing that I thought that was how all bands were going to be. Now that I have refocused my energy on solo acoustic performances, I have found there is more space emotionally for me to meet new folks!
How do you approach composing differently as a solo artist versus within a band?
I’m able to give my perspective without feeling judged. Creative freedom to write about whateverI feel in the moment. To write a sentence or word incorrectly & keep moving regardless of “mistakes.” Sometimes mistakes can be a sign of humanity; also, sometimes the word used is an uncommon way of saying something that might be considered wrong to a reader, but in a song format, it gives it character & life. Sometimes the wrong word in the right place can provoke more thought than being correct would have ever done. I’ve had moments where I throw full songs away because of an interaction during the writing process, & later those people don’t even remember saying those things, so I have noticed it’s best for me to ignore any input during my creative process. My taste & intuition are what guide the process these days.