Eran James: Patronised by Royalty!

At the ripe old age of 23, Eran James is already a veteran performer.

Eran James has every right to proclaim himself Patronised by Royalty. At the ripe old age of 19, he was noticed by, none other than queer music royalty, Sir Elton John and invited by the star to meet and work with some of the best creative minds in London. James describes his experience working in the UK humbling, and Elton John as a “fantastic mentor”. But James’ musical career had already begun long before.

After being persuaded to come out from behind the pot plants at family gatherings, James started singing at talent comps and singing contests from the age of 6. He was “spotted” by one of the judges, and by the time he was 12, James was signed by Universal Music and has been writing and performing ever since. By the time he was 16, he was in New York working with the city’s best writers arrangers and musicians. It was there that he met Elton John, who took him under his wing.

According to James, Elton’s confession that he (John) only started to really find himself when he gave up writing “hits” and started trying to write great songs, has had a profound effect on his musical career. James, now back in Australia and based in Melbourne says that these conversations with Elton John have given him the confidence to write and share songs about his personal hopes and fears which he hopes will touch the hearts of those who need to know they are not alone.

James calls himself a “very realised guy”. He believes that having spent a strange and sometimes lonely childhood touring as a singer and losing his mum at a very young age, has given him the ability to express very deep emotion, despite his youth. (He’s only 23) Also, being the child of an immigrant and also as someone set apart from his peers by constant travel and adult company, has increased his capacity to appreciate difference and diversity.

Having just completed a tour with Sir Elton, James is now on his way to Adelaide for Feast.

Eran James will be in Adelaide for one show only Wed November21 at 7 pm in The Ballroom, at the ANZ Feast Hub. Tickets are $18/$15 www.feast.org.au