You may not realise it but you’ve likely heard James Ellis Ford playing music even if you weren’t aware it was him. He has worked with Depeche Mode, Kylie Minogue, Gorillaz, and Arctic Monkeys and has been one-half of Simian Mobile Disco whilst composing and playing tons of instruments. Now, for the first time, he is releasing his own music.
With his co-pilot on Simian Mobile Disco, Jas Shaw, diagnosed with a rare disease called AL amyloidosis, James turned to making his own music because there were no other creative outlets left. He didn’t take the easy route of calling up tons of guests and instead focused on playing every instrument himself and singing for the first time. The result is something that sounds a little like Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd) vocally but Brian Eno, David Byrne and David Bowie musically. It is a lush and dense musical atmosphere with tuned percussion blocks, sumptuous synths and brass, prog guitars and hazy vocals. This is what truly genre and time defying artistry can sound like.
The lead single ‘I Never Wanted Anything’ is about hitting middle age and realising that most of life’s opportunities are retreating away from you. James sings of feeling lucky he can keep doing what he loves whilst coming to peace with the fact that the world is closing doors around him. It’s a topic that hits home to me, the guy behind Higher Plain Music, as I turn 40 next year and am veering into ageism issues too. It’s a corker of a track.
James Ellis Ford will be releasing his debut album ‘The Hum’ on the 12th of May. You can enjoy the lead singles’ cosmic music video below and pre-order the album now. This sounds like it is going to be a dive into eccentric British pop and James also promises some Palestinian influences from his wife and son too.
Support Higher Plain Music
Higher Plain Music is part of the Higher Plain Network – a one-man indie media project. If you like what I do, please consider supporting me via Patreon for as little as $1/£1 a month. In return, you’ll receive additional perks for supporting me, such as behind-the-scenes content and free downloads. You can also donate using PayPal. Sharing the website helps too or using the affiliate buy now links on reviews. I receive a few pence per Amazon sale. All your support will enable me to produce better content, more often. I’d love to make this a full-time media network and your support can make that happen. Thank you.