James Reid (New Zealand musician)
James Reid | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Reid in 2006 performing at TechFest with The Feelers | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 25 May 1974 Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Genres | Rock, pop, classical |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, guitarist, video producer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Website | www |
James Charles Gallienne Reid (born 25 May 1974) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter, guitarist, music producer, and video producer, best known as the lead singer in the band The Feelers.
Reid is regarded as one of New Zealand's most successful songwriters and rock musicians, having formed The Feelers in 1992, which became one of the best selling New Zealand musical acts in the country.[1][2][3] Reid was also a producer for the band, and is an experienced video producer.
In November 2013, Reid released his first solo album, entitled Saint.[4] Since then, he has released a number of singles and EPs, including "Back to the Beginning" (2018) and Too Close to the Sun (2020).
Biography
[edit]Reid was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 25 May 1974. He has two older sisters and two older brothers, including his brother Donald Reid who is also a musical artist.[5] Reid developed an interest in music as early as four years old, learning to play his first song, a rendition of Rhinestone Cowboy.[6] He considers his favourite genres to be "pop, rock, indie, and country".[7]
Reid was sent to a religious boarding school as a child, attending church daily and joining the choir. As a teenager he attended Christ's College, then went on to study fine art and film at the University of Canterbury, but postponed his studies to pursue success with The Feelers.[6]
Reid has stated he suffers from alcoholism and has multiple drink-driving-related convictions related to incidents in 2017 and 2024, prompting him to seek help.[8][9] In 2024, he pleaded guilty to refusing to give a blood sample after allegedly failing to stop for police, who caught him driving over the speed limit on Boxing Day.[10][11][12][13][14] He voluntarily admitted himself to the Nova Trust rehabilitation clinic for three months, and was subsequently sentenced to 12 months supervision and disqualified from driving for one year.[15][8][9]
Career
[edit]Reid describes his vocal range as tenor.[7] He has listed several bands and musicians as influences in his music, including The Beatles, Cat Stevens, Muse, David Bowie, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden.[7]
The Feelers (1992–present)
[edit]
Reid formed The Feelers in 1992 with guitarist and drummer Hamish Gee. The band released their first album, Supersystem, in 1998, and went on to release four more by 2011.
Reid's musical career has led to five number one albums on the NZ Music Charts, as well as eight music awards with The Feelers,[7] including winning Songwriter of the Year in the 1999 New Zealand Music Awards.
Broken Records
[edit]Since the mid-2000s, Reid has spearheaded Broken Records, an Auckland-based label that works with New Zealand rock bands, including The Valves.[16][17] This is not to be confused with the Christian label of the same name, which closed in the early 1990s.
Solo career (2013–present)
[edit]In 2013, Reid released his first solo album, entitled Saint.[4] The album was notably different from his work with The Feelers, featuring a more delicate acoustic sound. It was released on 22 November on iTunes.
From 2016 through to 2019, Reid released five singles, including "From Your Side", "Time is Another Lover", "Planet Nowhere" and "Meet Me at the Troubadour". In 2019, he commenced a fourteen-date tour across New Zealand named the Songbook tour.[18] In 2020, he released Too Close to the Sun, a 6-track EP which included the aforementioned singles.[19]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- Saint (2013)[20]
Singles and EPs
[edit]- "From Your Side" (2016)
- "Time Is Another Lover" (2016)
- "Meet Me at the Troubadour" (2018)
- "Back to the Beginning" (2018)
- "Planet Nowhere" (2019)
- Too Close to the Sun (2020)[19]
References
[edit]- ^ Brew, Andy. "A new feeling: Pre-tour contract keeps The Feelers on the straight and narrow". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ "James Reid - Amplifier". Amplifier. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ "James Reid & His Band". EventFinda. EventFinder. May 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ a b Sweetman, Simon. "James Reid about to release solo album". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ "Donald Reid - New Zealand Musicians & Bands". www.muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ a b "The Feelers - James". The Feelers. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ a b c d "James Reid - StarNow". StarNow. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ a b Leask, Anna (12 August 2024). "The Feelers' lead singer sentenced after third drink-driving conviction". NZ Herald. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ a b Burns, Adam (12 August 2024). "Feelers frontman James Reid sentenced to 12 months supervision". RNZ. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ "'I'm a rock and roll star': Lead singer of top Kiwi band in court amid reunion tour". NZ Herald. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ Jack, Amberleigh. "The Feelers frontman James Reid facing charges after Boxing Day incident". www.thepress.co.nz. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ Roberts, Nadine. "Feelers frontman convicted for refusing to give blood". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ "The Feelers singer James Reid faces charges amid reunion tour". RNZ. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ "The Feelers lead singer pleads guilty to refusing blood test". Otago Daily Times Online News. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ Roberts, Nadine (12 August 2024). "Feelers frontman sentenced to supervision and disqualified from driving". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ "Broken Records - UnderTheRadar". UnderTheRadar. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ "The Valves". Muzic. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ "James Reid - Gig Review: James Reid @ Totara St, Mt Maunganui - 21/09/2019 - New Zealand Music Articles". www.muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
- ^ a b Dexter, Giles (25 September 2019). "Feelers frontman James Reid opens up his songbook". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
- ^ "James Reid (The Feelers) releases debut solo album titled Saint". www.muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 2 December 2024.