James Reid (New Zealand musician)

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James Reid
The Feelers James Reid (Cropped).jpg
Reid in 2006 performing at TechFest with The Feelers
Background information
Born (1974-05-25) 25 May 1974 (age 50)
Christchurch, New Zealand
Genres Rock, pop, classical
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, guitarist, video producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar
Years active1992–present
Website www.jamesreid.co.nz

James Charles Gallienne Reid (born 25 May 1974) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter, guitarist, and music and video producer, best known as the lead singer in the band The Feelers.

Contents

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 has also collaborated as a writer with other New Zealand artists including Anika Moa, and was the founder of Broken Records, a former record label.

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

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

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] 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. Reid has also collaborated with other New Zealand artists, including co-writing "Falling in Love Again" on Anika Moa's debut album Thinking Room (2001).

The Feelers (1992–present)

The Feelers in June 2015, Reid to the right. The Feelers 2015.png
The Feelers in June 2015, Reid to the right.

Reid formed The Feelers in 1992 in Christchurch, with guitarist and drummer Hamish Gee and bassist Matt Thomas. In 1994, the band debuted with their EP The Leaving through Wildside Records. The band drew the attention of Tim Groenendaal, a former radio DJ, who became their manager. In 1997, The Feelers signed with Warner Music. [16]

The Feelers had its first breakthrough hit with the single "Pressure Man", which received an NZ Music Award, and followed up with the singles "Space Cadet" and "Supersystem", the latter which won an APRA Silver Scroll for radio airplay. Their 1998 album Supersystem was a chart success, debuting at number 1. [16] The band found continued success with the Communicate (2000) and Playground Battle (2003), and regularly toured during the summer.

Broken Records (2001–2018)

In 2001, Reid founded Broken Records, an Auckland-based label for Reid's projects which also worked with New Zealand rock bands, including The Valves. [17] [18] This is not to be confused with the Christian label of the same name, which closed in the early 1990s.

In May 2018, Broken Records went into liquidation after becoming insolvent, citing a downturn in business. The process was completed in June 2018, and the company was closed. [19]

Solo career (2013–present)

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. [20] In 2020, he released Too Close to the Sun, a 6-track EP which included the aforementioned singles. [21]

Discography

Albums

Singles and EPs

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References

  1. ↑ Brew, Andy. "A new feeling: Pre-tour contract keeps The Feelers on the straight and narrow". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  2. ↑ "James Reid - Amplifier". Amplifier. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  3. ↑ "James Reid & His Band". EventFinda. EventFinder. May 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  4. 1 2 Sweetman, Simon. "James Reid about to release solo album". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "Donald Reid - New Zealand Musicians & Bands". www.muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  6. 1 2 "The Feelers - James". The Feelers. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "James Reid - StarNow". StarNow. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  8. 1 2 Leask, Anna (12 August 2024). "The Feelers' lead singer sentenced after third drink-driving conviction". NZ Herald. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  9. 1 2 Burns, Adam (12 August 2024). "Feelers frontman James Reid sentenced to 12 months supervision". RNZ . Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  10. ↑ "'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.
  11. ↑ Jack, Amberleigh. "The Feelers frontman James Reid facing charges after Boxing Day incident". www.thepress.co.nz. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  12. ↑ Roberts, Nadine. "Feelers frontman convicted for refusing to give blood". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  13. ↑ "The Feelers singer James Reid faces charges amid reunion tour". RNZ . 10 January 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  14. ↑ "The Feelers lead singer pleads guilty to refusing blood test". Otago Daily Times Online News. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  15. ↑ Roberts, Nadine (12 August 2024). "Feelers frontman sentenced to supervision and disqualified from driving". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  16. 1 2 Shute, Gareth (1 August 2023). "The Feelers". AudioCulture. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  17. ↑ "Broken Records - UnderTheRadar". UnderTheRadar. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  18. ↑ "The Valves". Muzic. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  19. ↑ "BROKEN RECORDS LIMITED (1172938) Removed". New Zealand Companies Office. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  20. ↑ "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.
  21. 1 2 Dexter, Giles (25 September 2019). "Feelers frontman James Reid opens up his songbook". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  22. ↑ "James Reid (The Feelers) releases debut solo album titled Saint". www.muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
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