James Bay | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Bay performing live in 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | James Michael Bay (1990-09-04)4 September 1990 (age 35) |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2013–present |
| Labels | |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | jamesbay |
James Michael Bay[1] (born 4 September 1990) is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist.[2][3][4]
In 2014, he released his single "Hold Back the River", which was certified platinum, before releasing his debut studio albumChaos and the Calm (2015). The album went to number one in the UK and number 15 in the US. In February 2015, Bay received theBrit Awards "Critics' Choice" award.[5] At the2016 Brit Awards he received the award forBest British Male Solo Artist.[6] Bay also received three nominations at the2016 Grammy Awards, forBest New Artist,Best Rock Album, andBest Rock Song. In May 2018, he released his second studio album,Electric Light.
James Bay was born to Jill, a former fashion illustrator forMarie Claire, and Nick Bay, a wine merchant.[7][8] He has an older brother named Alex.[9] Bay's parents brought him up inHitchin,Hertfordshire where he attendedHitchin Boys' School. Aged 11, Bay was inspired to play classical guitar after hearingEric Clapton's "Layla".[10] He used an old rusty guitar with five strings he found in a cupboard in his house.[11] Bay is a supporter ofNewcastle United F.C.[12]
When he moved to study inBrighton at theBritish and Irish Modern Music Institute seven years later at age 18 he played the city'sopen mic nights, on which he said, "That taught me a lot about writing and performing on my own and trying to hold my own". "I'm trying to make songs that make people feel something, and if I'm lucky, even move them".
Bay caught the attention ofRepublic Records A&R after a fan uploaded a video to YouTube of him performing at an open mic in London, and within a week, he signed to the label. His first EP,The Dark of the Morning, was released in 2013. Within a year, he was selling out his first UK headline tour.[10]
Bay released his debutextended play,The Dark of the Morning, on 18 July 2013. His second EP,Let It Go, was released on 12 May 2014.[13] TheLet It Go EP debuted in the top 10 iTunes album chart[14] and the lead single, titled "Let It Go", peaked at number 10 in the UK charts.[15] Bay has performed live on theBurberry runway and has also recorded a Burberry Acoustic session.[16] He toured withHozier in 2014.[17]
Bay recorded his entire debut studio albumChaos and the Calm atBlackbird Studio inNashville, with producerJacquire King.[18] It debuted at number one in the UK charts and has been certified X2 platinum.[19] His single "Hold Back the River" peaked at number 2 in the UK charts and was certified X3 platinum.[20][21]
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In January 2015, Bay released his fourthEP,Other Sides. He performed on the Pyramid Stage atGlastonbury Festival in June 2015.[22] At the2016 Brit Awards in London on 24 February, he received the award for Best British Male Solo Artist, and also performed "Love Yourself" withJustin Bieber at the ceremony.[6] Bay recorded a cover of theBeatles song "Hey Bulldog" for the 2016 TV seriesBeat Bugs. He recorded a cover of theTom Petty song "King's Highway" for the 2017Disney/Pixar filmCars 3. It is heard in the film and is included on the official soundtrack album.
Bay released his second studio album,Electric Light, on 18 May 2018.[23] It peaked at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and 21 on the US Billboard 200.[24][25] The album has notable pop and R&B influences,[26] and was noted for its "hip hop style spoken-word skits" during intervals.[27] The lead single, "Wild Love", was released on 8 February 2018, and peaked at 39 on the UK Singles Chart and 17 on the US Adults Top 40. Bay released a duet version of the album's third single, "Us", performed onThe Voice withAlicia Keys in May 2018.[28]Bay released a single, "Peer Pressure", on 22 February 2019, featuring artistJulia Michaels.[29] On 10 May 2019, he released his thirdEP,Oh My Messy Mind, the first record of his to be immediately released onstreaming.[30] On the same day, the single "Bad" was released.
In the spring of 2020, Bay began making his third studio album in Nashville at the historicRCA Studio A alongside producerDave Cobb, and collaborated with Brandon Flowers ofthe Killers during recording.[31] He released the single "Chew On My Heart" in July 2020.[32] Later that month, he streamed a live performance in support of the #SaveOurVenues campaign, to support efforts against the economic threat posed to grassroots venues during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[33][34]
In April 2022, Republic Records relaunchedMercury Records with a new roster that includes James Bay.[35] He released his third album,Leap, on 8 July 2022.[36]
Bay endorses and playsTone King amplifiers, a boutique amplifier brand ofPremier Builders Guild.[37]In 2017, he released his Epiphone Signature "1966" Century Outfit, an accurate recreation of his customized 1966 Epiphone Century guitar which has James Bay's "Hat Man" logo on the headstock and custom strap.[38]
Bay has been in a relationship with music promoter Lucy Smith since he was 16 years old; they got married at a private ceremony in August 2022.[39] They have a daughter named Ada Violet Bay who was born in October 2021.[40]
Studio albums
| Year | Organisation | Award | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Brit Awards | Critics' Choice | Himself | Won | [47] |
| MTV UK | Brand New for 2015 | Himself | Nominated | [48] | |
| BBC | BBC Sound of 2015 | Himself | Nominated | [49][50] | |
| MTV Video Music Awards | Artist to Watch | "Hold Back the River" | Nominated | [51] | |
| MTV Europe Music Awards | Best New Act | Himself | Nominated | ||
| Best Push Act | Nominated | ||||
| GQ Men of The Year | Breakthrough Solo Artist | Himself | Won | [52] | |
| Q Awards | Best New Act | Himself | Won | [53] | |
| 2016 | Grammy Awards | Best New Artist | Himself | Nominated | |
| Best Rock Album | Chaos and the Calm | Nominated | |||
| Best Rock Song | "Hold Back the River" | Nominated | |||
| BRIT Awards | British Breakthrough Act | Himself | Nominated | ||
| British Male Solo Artist | Won | ||||
| British Single of the Year | "Hold Back the River" | Nominated | |||
| British Album of the Year | Chaos and the Calm | Nominated | |||
| Echo Music Prize | Best International Newcomer | Himself | Won | [54] | |
| Ivor Novello Awards | Most Performed Work | "Hold Back the River" | Won | [55] | |
| Q Awards | Best Solo Artist | Himself | Won | [56] | |
| 2019 | GAFFA-Prisen Awards | Best International Artist | Nominated | [57] | |
| Best International Album | Electric Light | Nominated |
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