James Maddock

James Maddock - Another Life - From the album Another Life

James Maddock is a well known entity to the folks who watched Dawson's Creek and heard the music that accompanied the show. He was the front man for Wood and they had many a moment on that show and a good run at radio with hits like 'Stay You.' His third solo effort, Another Life, is an existential journey through the ups and downs of everyday. I chose the title title track, a jangly shuffle laid out over terrific guitar work by Larry Campbell and Maddock's beautiful lyrics . Call it Maddock's bucket list presented with a seasoned voice and a knowledge the joy is in the journey even during the rough times.

Another Life will be released on July 23, 2013 - The Alternate Root

James Maddock found millions of fans listening to his music on Dawson’s Creek as lead singer of Wood, the band known for pleasant tunes like “Stay You” and “Let Me Fall.” Now, Maddock is the one lending an ear to anyone struggling through a rough patch.

“‘I’ve Been There Too” is a song that says, ‘No matter what you’re going through in life, particularly when times are tough, and you’re feeling isolated and lonely, you’re going to be OK,’” says Maddock, who moved to New York City’s Lower East Side after Wood broke up.

“You’re not alone, everybody has these moments in their lives and they come through it,” he adds. “It’s a song about hanging on in there!!”

The comforting track is featured on Maddock’s upcoming album, Another Life, arriving July 23. The project promises his familiar, heartfelt songwriting, yet with an Americana feel. Enjoy the CMT Edge premiere of “I’ve Been There Too,” then go give your best friend a hug. - CMT Edge

In the nearly 50 years since The Beatles invaded these shores, the relationship between American and British rock has been increasingly complex.

Plenty of U.K. musicians have appropriated the blues and country (among other genres), while numerous U.S. rockers have cited the impact of the Rolling Stones and the Who.

Then you have the case of James Maddock. [Continued] - Daily Record

In the nearly 50 years since The Beatles invaded these shores, the relationship between American and British rock has been increasingly complex.

Plenty of U.K. musicians have appropriated the blues and country (among other genres), while numerous U.S. rockers have cited the impact of the Rolling Stones and the Who.

Then you have the case of James Maddock. [Continued] - Daily Record

James Maddock brews up a bright, rootsy sound with Another Life, an album that finds him crooning an old-school folk ballad one minute and rasping his way through a rusty-edged pop tune the next. On “That’s Heavy,” he tips his hat to a buddy’s dad, who survived a plane crash in WWII only to find a darker fate in the days that followed.

“He was shot down over France,” Maddock tells us, “and he and his co-pilot survived the crash and were rescued by the French Resistance. As they tried to make their way back to England, they were captured by the Nazis and tortured for the name of anyone who may have helped them make their escape. Eventually, they gave up the name of the village where they had been recovering…and as I recall, they were then sent to a POW camp, where they heard the news that the village itself had been totally destroyed — and all the inhabitants murdered — by the Nazis. I think they called it ‘Collective Punishment.’”

Over fiddle solos and a barnstorming beat, Maddock delivers the song’s unhappy ending. The prisoners were eventually released and returned home as war heroes, but the weight of the destroyed village was too much to handle. On the day the war ended, one of the pilots went into the bathroom stall of a bar and hung himself.

“We must never forget what can happen,” says Maddock, who included a line about waterboarding to give the song a current spin. “This kind of thing can happen again if we are not vigilant and fight the rise of any racist political parties that seek to blame the ills of society on immigrants or minorities, gays, black people, Muslims, Jews, trade unionists, socialists, etc.”

To borrow a line from the chorus: man, that’s heavy. - American Songwriter

Britain’s James Maddock is considered one of the most original songwriters of the moment. Maddock’s music is multi-dimensional, gallivanting from traditional folk to pop to rootsy Americana.

Maddock’s guitars of choice, of course, are Gibsons. We caught up with the British-turned-New York City-based musician to talk about his new album, Another Life, and why Gibson guitars are “the sound of the music that moves us all every day.”

For more on Maddock, visit www.jamesmaddock.net.

What was your first experience with the guitar?

My first experience with the guitar was at the store. I had just gotten an advance from Columbia Records and wanted a great guitar that I planned on using on the record and for live. I went to Rose Morris on Denmark Street in London. There on the wall were a few Gibson guitars, and I pulled off the Advanced Jumbo . I had never played one and sat down and strummed an open E chord on the 7th fret and thought, “Wow!” I fell in love right there! The guy that worked there came in and said, “That’s a man’s guitar!” I strummed it for a few minutes and bought it right there. It was the first professional acoustic guitar I ever owned.

Are you a self-taught player, or did you take lessons?

I am self-taught. I did have some lessons for a while, but I really learned by listening to records and watching other players in my home town.

What was it like moving from England to New York City in 2003 to pursue music?

Moving to New York was tough at the beginning. I didn't know anyone and it took a while to find my feet and find musicians to play with. But it’s a friendly town and full of musicians, so eventually I started to make connections.

Is it true that you’ve performed with Bruce Springsteen? What was that experience like?

I shared a stage with Bruce at the Light of Day Parkinson’s Charity event in Asbury Park. He performed there, and I was, too. Willie Nile invited me up to sing his song “One Guitar,” and suddenly, there I was next to Bruce on the stage. It was a bit surreal, actually, and then later we all got on stage and sang some songs with him in his set. Fantastic really. My favorite memory of that night was at the bar later when Bruce came over with some shots of tequila for Willie and me. Doing shots with the Boss was a thing I’ll never forget.

Let’s talk about your new album, Another Life. What approach did you take to the songwriting of this album?

With Another Life, I wanted to make a stripped-down, acoustic album, with minimum instrumentation. The songs were a collection of new and old songs. They all sounded good to me played in that style as opposed to songs that might need a more pop or fuller approach.

I had the great Larry Campbell to help me along. Tony Scherr on bass and Kenny Wallason on drums and vibes.

Switching gears to guitars, what Gibsons are in your collection?

I have a Gibson LG-1 from 1958/9 the Advanced Jumbo and a 1979 Gold Top Les Paul.

What make Gibson guitars a good fit for what you do?

I love the woody-sounding bottom end they have. I can feel the history and the tradition when I play a Gibson. I want to stand in that tradition myself. I’m proud to own and play the same guitar as my heroes.

What’s your dream Gibson guitar?

A dream Gibson for me would be an original Advanced Jumbo from the mid 1930s or a classic sunburst Les Paul from1959. A man has gotta have a dream!

What’s next for you?

Next for me is to keep writing and strumming my guitars and trying to write songs I’m proud of. Thank you to Gibson for making such classic beautiful instruments that are the sound of the music that moves us all every day. - Gibson

“I fell head over heels in love with James Maddock's music around the turn of the century when his band Wood released Songs From Stamford Hill. My heart broke when James seemed to disappear completely from the music scene without a follow-up. From time to time I would search for him on the Internet, to no avail, and play the songs from Wood's only album with a bittersweet ache that matched the mood of the music. Imagine then how thrilled I was to discover at the end of the decade James was living and working right under my nose in New York City, far below the radar, honing his skills, biding his time. Then understand how exhilarated and thoroughly gladdened I became upon hearing his new songs, heartbreakingly beautiful, exquisitely crafted, which pick right up where Stamford Hill left off. James Maddock's talent has a timeless quality he shares with the great songwriters. His music touches the soul. How happy I am to have him back on the radar screen ... the world at large needs artists like this.” - WFUV/Sirius/XM