James Shaw

Name, where are you from? 

James Shaw, Nottingham.

What do you do? 

Professional tennis player.

Describe your style in three words? 

Rugged, rock, situational.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?

I saw AS IT IS play at Gunnersville Festival in London last year. I praise any band that can draw me in straight away because I often find I need a few listens before I can appreciate certain songs or bands, and they did this from the get-go. I went because my inner teenager wanted to see Jimmy Eat World but loved these emo rockers who drew everyone in despite being lower on the list of acts that day.

If you could put any three bands in history on a lineup?

Bring Me The Horizon. Linkin Park. Rise Against. A lot of energy, great songs, and I get to listen to some powerful lyrics from each band; my perfect combination!

Which subcultures have influenced you?

The fashion subcultures I’m influenced by have all come from the music I’ve listened to growing up from the band tee wearing punk rocker, to angsty alternative teenager who would only wear black. These still find their way into my daily fashion; one way or another.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?

Noel Gallagher as I love a good moan, plus we can always talk about football.

Where is your favourite independent venue?

The bodega in Nottingham is my favourite as it has opened up my taste to smaller alternative music by being a cramped venue that gets many bands on their way up to play on the tiny stage. The bars near, the bands are good, and you can add more to your music collection, what more do you want? I can’t wait to unearth some more gems in the near future!

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?

James Veck Gilodi (lead singer of Deaf Havana) has been someone who has been a massive part in my life since I was introduced to his music in 2013. I’ve seen the band play ten times, and him play on his own three times, both through lockdown and before. His music crosses multiple genres from heavy rock to pop and acoustic, whilst still giving the balance of catchy upbeat riffs with depressing lyrics which never fails with me. I’ve never met someone who doesn’t like anything he’s done; it’s just they’ve never normally heard it before.