Illinois-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter James Bruner releases his heartfelt new single 'When I’m Down' and returns to the UK for promotion ahead of supporting The Struts on their European tour. The lushly arranged track, written after a romantic breakup, offers a glimpse into his upcoming debut EP, reflecting Bruner’s introspective journey of accepting personal responsibility and finding hope in moving forward.
So with the new single doing the rounds, we joined him in conversation to find out more about his origins, influences, and plans for the future.
‘When I’m Down’ is a deeply personal song. Can you share more about the emotions and experiences that inspired it?
I wrote that song about the first heartbreak that I went through. I was on the receiving end of some betrayal and it hit me like a ton of bricks. This song is my honest experience and grieving process to all the sad emotions I was feeling.
Your upcoming debut EP promises more in the vein of ‘When I’m Down’. What themes or stories can listeners expect from the full release?
They can definitely expect it to be different. There will be songs similar to ‘When I’m Down’ but there will also be songs with plenty of edge like ‘Alibi.’ I've been teasing a new song lately called ‘Eye in the Sky’ and I love it. It's off the beaten path and falls in the vein of Guns N’ Roses. I'm going to be dipping my toes into a lot of different musical directions on this piece of work and I'm really excited about it!
How did the process of writing ‘When I’m Down’ during a vulnerable period help you heal or process the heartbreak you experienced?
I've always found songwriting therapeutic especially in times of hardship. For ‘When I’m Down’ it all came very naturally. I wrote down the words that I was feeling in the most honest way that I could and that ultimately became the song.
Your music often mixes lush arrangements with heartfelt lyrics—how do you balance the emotional depth with the sonic landscape of your songs?
I really enjoy when song arrangements are a response to the lyrics. As a songwriter I think it’s so important to not only write what's true to yourself but to make the listener really feel the intention of the song. Overall, I put myself as deep as I can when making the music to balance out the arrangement and evoke feelings.
You’re about to embark on a 19-date European tour with The Struts. How are you feeling about performing your new music in front of European audiences?
I'm over the moon about it! I had the privilege of opening for William Fitzsimmons back in May of this year all over Europe and it was a blast. I played those shows as a two piece with my lead guitar player so I'm super excited to bring the full band show this time.
How does touring in Europe compare to your experiences touring in the U.S.?
I feel like the love for live music in Europe and the U.K. is so much more amplified and the crowds are insane every night. Don't get me wrong, the U.S. definitely goes crazy but it's pretty indescribable how crazy Europe and the U.K. goes for a show. Other than that, driving on the other side of the road in the U.K. is definitely a different vibe from the U.S.
Having already supported bands like Barns Courtney and William Fitzsimmons, what’s something you’ve learned from these tours that you’re taking with you into this one?
I would say that the most important thing I have learned on tour is to expect the unexpected. Sometimes out on the road there are things that you can’t prepare for and it’s super important to be able to adapt in any circumstance.
Do you have any memorable moments from past tours that stand out to you, and are you excited about any specific dates or venues on this upcoming tour?
A memorable moment for me would be the first time I came to New York. In the span of twenty four hours I was opening for Barns Courtney and Yonaka in a city that I had only seen in movies and television. It was one of those things where I couldn’t believe it was happening till after. With that being said I’m really looking forward to playing in Poland and Prague. I have never been to either of them!
You’ve mentioned influences like Iggy Pop, David Bowie, and Roxy Music, which is quite unique for someone coming out of skateboard culture. How did skateboarding shape your musical identity?
Skateboarding is one of the biggest reasons that I love the music I do. I remember watching skate videos and the music that the skaters put in their part was a perfect representation of their craft. I fell in love with all of those artists because no one else my age was listening to them, and I thought it was way cooler than anything coming out at the time. Ultimately skateboarding culture taught me how important it is to be different and take risks.
What was the turning point for you when you decided to focus more on songwriting after moving to Nashville? How did that transition shape your sound?
I lived in Nashville for a few years writing anything I could and trying my hardest to find the sound that best represented me musically. I had put out two songs that fell into the realm of folk rock. I love those songs dearly but the turning point for me was recording my song ’Alibi.’ That was a song about not giving up on my dreams and the terrifying fear of becoming unknown before I ever started. Overall, what has transformed my sound has been a bit of trial and error to find what I love the most.
You’ve collaborated with various musicians, vocal coaches, and producers. How has that influenced your evolution as an artist?
I would say that working with various musicians and producers has always been very rewarding for my artistry. While I am a solo artist, it’s always good to hear feedback from the people around you that also truly care about the craft.
With this being your second European tour, what’s next for you after the tour wraps up? Any plans for new releases or collaborations in the future?
After the tour ends I’ll be heading back to Nashville and getting straight to work on an EP set to release next year. I’m super excited and can’t wait for you guys to hear the new songs!
How do you envision your music evolving in the coming years, especially with your debut EP on the horizon?
I see it going wherever the music takes me. It's funny because I honestly love the idea of not knowing what the future holds. What I do know is that it will be full speed ahead for the new year.
As someone who’s toured globally, written deeply personal songs, and grown in the Nashville scene, what advice would you give to aspiring singer-songwriters trying to find their voice?
I would say listen to every type of music you can regardless of the genre. Doing that helped me so much in terms of figuring out what I enjoyed but also what I wanted to write and represent. Aside from that I would say just be patient and enjoy the ride!
Your song ‘When I’m Down’ touches on finding hope through heartbreak. What’s something you hope your listeners take away from your music, especially during tough times?
While that time of my life was rough, I truly hope anyone listening to this song understands that they are not alone. For me grieving is an extremely hard pill to swallow but ultimately I got through it which means you will too.
Listen to James Bruner's new single 'When I'm Down' below.
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