Crows

Musicians — London

01Profile

A Crows Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
James Cox, originally from The Elan Valley in Mid Wales, been living in London for 10 years, currently residing in Hackney.

Describe your style in three words?
Casual, Casual, Casual.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Best gig I’ve been to was Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2015. I’ve never felt more captivated by a performance in my life. He makes you feel like you are the only person in the room, and the set list felt it had been personally chosen for me. Higgs Boson Blues

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers
Gang of Four
Crows

Who wouldn’t wanna see that line-up?

Which subcultures have influenced you?
I grew up listening to a lot of Hardcore and Metal to be honest. Growing up in a rural community as I did, that could sometimes be slightly isolating but starting to go to gigs made me meet people with similar interests and really fuelled my passion for live music.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Leonard Cohen. I’d love to meet him and just talk about his writing and get advice on how to word emotion the way he did. His lyrics and poetry and so inspirational and literally feel like your painting a picture when you read them.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
There’s a fantastic venue in Eindhoven, NL called Stroomhuis. It’s in an area of Eindhoven that used to be an industrial park for Philips but is now converted to venues, cafes, and creative spaces. It’s just an amazing place run by brilliant people, with screen printing, great food, lots of cats (important) and you sleep above the venue! It’s great to have a really welcoming place that takes care of you when you are touring.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Patsy Cline – She overcame tremendous hardships in her life and paved the way for women performers at the time (the late 50’s). She’s a true icon of music history that I think is completely overlooked!


 

CROWS released their debut album 'Silver Tongues' on Friday 22nd March 2019, available now via Balley Records. Purchase it here.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Walking Spanish' by Tom Waits. I remember my Dad giving me this album and instantly being obsessed. That double saxophone line just blew my mind.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Give My Love To Rose' by Johnny Cash.

One record you would keep forever?
'Sittin’ By The Road' by Blaze Foley.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
Wow, that’s a tough one...

And I was always so impulsive, I guess that I still am,
And all that really mattered then was that I was a man,
I guess that our being together was never meant to be,
And Martha, Martha, I love you, can't you see.

And those were the days of roses, of poetry and prose,
And Martha all I had was you and all you had was me,
There was no tomorrows, we packed away our sorrows,
And we saved them for a rainy day.

'Martha' by Tom Waits.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Rasputin' by Boney M.

A song you wished you had written?
'Honey Now' by Gillian Welch. For me, she’s one of the greatest songwriters of our time. A true storyteller with just an incredible talent.

Best song to turn up loud?
'Fish' by The Damned.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Never Too Much' by Luther Vandross.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Harvest Moon' by Neil Young.

Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Blood On Suits' by Lumer.
'Houseplants' by Squid.
'Saturday Drag' by Yowl.
'Ghost On Fire' by Sleep Eaters.
'Passata' by Krush Puppies.
'Part Time View' by CC Honeymoon.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
James Cox, originally from The Elan Valley in Mid Wales, been living in London for 10 years, currently residing in Hackney.

Describe your style in three words?
Casual, Casual, Casual.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Best gig I’ve been to was Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2015. I’ve never felt more captivated by a performance in my life. He makes you feel like you are the only person in the room, and the set list felt it had been personally chosen for me. Higgs Boson Blues

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers
Gang of Four
Crows

Who wouldn’t wanna see that line-up?

Which subcultures have influenced you?
I grew up listening to a lot of Hardcore and Metal to be honest. Growing up in a rural community as I did, that could sometimes be slightly isolating but starting to go to gigs made me meet people with similar interests and really fuelled my passion for live music.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Leonard Cohen. I’d love to meet him and just talk about his writing and get advice on how to word emotion the way he did. His lyrics and poetry and so inspirational and literally feel like your painting a picture when you read them.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
There’s a fantastic venue in Eindhoven, NL called Stroomhuis. It’s in an area of Eindhoven that used to be an industrial park for Philips but is now converted to venues, cafes, and creative spaces. It’s just an amazing place run by brilliant people, with screen printing, great food, lots of cats (important) and you sleep above the venue! It’s great to have a really welcoming place that takes care of you when you are touring.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Patsy Cline – She overcame tremendous hardships in her life and paved the way for women performers at the time (the late 50’s). She’s a true icon of music history that I think is completely overlooked!


 

CROWS released their debut album 'Silver Tongues' on Friday 22nd March 2019, available now via Balley Records. Purchase it here.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Walking Spanish' by Tom Waits. I remember my Dad giving me this album and instantly being obsessed. That double saxophone line just blew my mind.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Give My Love To Rose' by Johnny Cash.

One record you would keep forever?
'Sittin’ By The Road' by Blaze Foley.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
Wow, that’s a tough one...

And I was always so impulsive, I guess that I still am,
And all that really mattered then was that I was a man,
I guess that our being together was never meant to be,
And Martha, Martha, I love you, can't you see.

And those were the days of roses, of poetry and prose,
And Martha all I had was you and all you had was me,
There was no tomorrows, we packed away our sorrows,
And we saved them for a rainy day.

'Martha' by Tom Waits.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Rasputin' by Boney M.

A song you wished you had written?
'Honey Now' by Gillian Welch. For me, she’s one of the greatest songwriters of our time. A true storyteller with just an incredible talent.

Best song to turn up loud?
'Fish' by The Damned.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Never Too Much' by Luther Vandross.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Harvest Moon' by Neil Young.

Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Blood On Suits' by Lumer.
'Houseplants' by Squid.
'Saturday Drag' by Yowl.
'Ghost On Fire' by Sleep Eaters.
'Passata' by Krush Puppies.
'Part Time View' by CC Honeymoon.

 

05Videos

CROWS | Wednesday's Child (2019)

CROWS | Chain Of Being (2019)

CROWS | Whisper (2016)

CROWS | Pray (2015)