For our album “Sugar and Spite” I made a music video with our old keyboard player Geoff. It was for the song “Put A Record On” and we used two 7” vinyls that were black and pink. We actually did this for fun because we were flying to Portugal to make a “proper production” of the video.  However, our homemade video has ended up having nearly twice as many plays! If you haven’t seen it, here it is:

Anyway I recently found the original video files of when we made it and so I made a little video of some of the clips and outtakes. I was great fun filming, trying to avoid getting the string and feet in shot. However I think the imperfections in this film give it it’s charm:

However, often I don’t need to try too hard because people keep making their own videos to our tunes, be it montages to their favourite films, choreographed dances or full on music videos and short films.  And I am very grateful for the people who take time to make these and spread our music to the rest of the world.  Some people view this as using music without permission (and will remove their music from your video!) but I can only see this a positive way of keeping music alive. I am glad that it inspires people to be creative and express their own ideas.  This is a recent one i found and has to be the strangest i’ve seen:

So now it’s time for me to come up with my own new ideas and make some more little videos. But I know our friends and fans are going to come up with some great videos too…

Ron

Day one; the long 10 hr van drive to Edinburgh travelodge. Nerves are mounting as we set off in our (t)rusty van for the James tour. As we drive to the venue the following day, my excitement is now at boiling point as this is the first big tour I’ve ever been on-much to the amusement of everyone. The venue is very impressive! A soup obsession is at hand with the whole of the crew & band but its easy to see why-the catering is INCREDIBLE! Gig goes wonderfully, I wear a tartan mini dress (courtesy of friend Roxy) which is well received. The next couple of gigs go well too other than a few technical errors in Sheffield. One of the Road crew affectionately nick names our van ‘Treasure’, and asks us where on earth did we dig it up?! I soon realize that a few people have taken a notice of me on the forum, noticing my various outfit themes I do for each town. Very surreal! Before you can say ‘blimey that was quick’ we drive home for a few days off while the James boys do South-end on Sea and Bournemouth.

Back on the road. Bristol was fun although the house lights were left on for our set which was slightly unnerving. ‘Oh my effing god’ are the words uttered by us all as we walk into the Royal Albert Hall for the first time. Feeling Physically sick with nerves/excitement or hunger looking around the place. The idea that I’m to stand up straight and remember how to play the bass later on is a silly one! Sound check goes well, a friend of ours Andy takes some brilliant photo’s and its time to eat some gorgeous food and calm the nerves. Luckily the gig goes down a storm, We start with ‘proud’ and build up to finisher ‘so sorry’ which is always a crowd pleaser. Watch James’ set again tonight-absolutely mind blowing! Brilliant after show party too. Liverpool is the end to a wonderful eight dates, none of us want to leave! Saul joins us for the last two songs ‘let it go’ and ‘so sorry’ which totally brings down the house. After party is again great although very emotional as goodbyes are said and photo’s are taken. Will never forget it, the James crew and band are all completely lovely and lets hope we get to repeat this soon!!!

x

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