SHELLEY guitarist James Collins has recently returned to Perth after a four-year stint in the UK, ahead of the release of his classical guitar-inspired debut album.
Collins flew the coop, as so many ambitious Australian musicians do, to build up exposure and live performance experience.
The UK experience also meant he could study under another Perth musician, Craig Ogden, who is making waves in Europe currently, at the Royal Northern College of Music.
Collins’ popular classical-easy listening album titled: The Way You Look Tonight features songs by artists including Leonard Cohen, The Beatles and Gershwin in a more classical arrangement.
“I wanted the album to be very easy to listen to but also have enough musical interest for serious listening,” Collins said.
“It shows different aspects of the guitar and how it is capable of creating hugely contrasting moods and atmospheres.
“These songs have never been arranged in this way before.
“I saw this as an opportunity to expand the classical guitar’s horizons and to try to break away from standard repertoire, which can become over-played.
“The guitar is the most beautiful instrument in the world, capable of moving so many people.”
Collins, (25), was recently signed on to local record label Rella Music and hopes to embark on an Australian tour, and possibly the UK, later this year.
He is working on his next album with composer Michael Doherty – who worked with Collins on the six orchestral tracks on the album The Way You Look Tonight – as part of plans to carve out a successful music career.
“It’s (the album) going to be more of a popular (Michael Buble) style with vocals, and I’ll be singing on it,” he said.
“I also plan to write a whole lot of songs for myself, which I hope will feature my wife Kirsty on double bass.
He also wants to help help other emerging musicians.
“I would also like to get more involved with producing music and would love to have more of an opportunity to help bands produce the best music they can, both musically and in technical production.”
Visit www.jamescollinsmusic.com to listen to sound samples of the songs and to buy Collins’ album.