James Smith is an old soul in a young body. A songwriter who aims for a timeless sound, he’s able to blend new techniques with classic tropes, resulting in something completely individual. An early starter, he scored his first hit in his teens, but always felt that something was missing. Now he’s ready to embrace maturity, and start all over again.

James has penned singles that have amassed over 200+ million streams collectively across all streaming platforms - as well as selling out venues across both the UK and Europe.

Success was instant. Thrown into recording sessions across London and beyond, he was drawn into the orbit of Geeneus – an influential music manager and the founder of pivotal UK radio station Rinse FM. “I did the whole circuit,” he says. “I worked with every songwriter, every producer. And it was fun! The music was OK, but it was always co-written… it was never music that came solely from me.”

Using his home studio, James Smith pushed his production skills to the limit, blending club sounds with his ear for the classic. What emerged is his best material to date – he’s wiping the slate clean, and telling his own story, on his own terms. “I was able to sit and write music that was a bit different to what I’d done before,” he says. “I was writing from the heart. I’ve always enjoyed being around people, but when that was taken away I realised that I had to put those feelings down on paper.”

Recently packing out London’s lavish KOKO venue, his debut album is on the horizon, and every step counts. “I’m different from other songwriters,” he says with a pang of confidence in his voice. “I realise that now. I feel like I’m starting again. This is the first time I’ve felt like a proper artist. This is the first time I’ve really, truly felt proud of what I’m doing. It sounds like me. I feel like I’ve got something to say.”