The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Getting to know you
Songwriter James Hopkins of November Lights on his inspirations ahead of a gig in St Andrews to raise awareness of younger adults’ mental health
Which performers, alive or dead, inspire you?
Prince, MJ, Coldplay, OneRepublic.
What was your plan B career-wise?
A childhood dream was to be a professional footballer so definitely something football oriented.
Your house is on fire, what one item do you save?
I’d try to get the piano, although that might be difficult to wheel out in the flames.
Theme song for your life?
Fix You – Coldplay.
Last meal on earth?
I absolutely love Mexican Food. Something nice and spicy.
Dream dinner party guests?
Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic, Chris Martin from Coldplay, Julia Michaels, Steve Carell (I’m a massive American Office fan), Bob Mortimer.
First thing you’d do if you won £1 million?
Buy a house and make the best album possible.
If you could rule for a day, what would be the first thing you would do?
Gives homes to the homeless.
Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
I love candles. Seriously. Boston/New York. I was there recently and it was the best experience of my life.
What was the last book you read?
Whatever the book I studied at school for Higher English was. I’m more of an article guy.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Easy... potato scones.
Describe yourself as if you were a fine wine?
Ambitious with a funny but nice aftertaste.
What makes you happy?
Writing music and seeing my family, friends and dog happy.
What makes you sad?
The news.
Do you believe in aliens?
Nope.
Have you ever had a paranormal encounter?
Nope but I dressed up as a ghost at Halloween once.
What was the first album you ever bought?
Rather embarrassingly, I think it was probably a McFly or Busted one. Before that I was just football mad so I’m definitely playing catch-up on the ones I missed out on.
If you could go back to any point in history, what would it be?
’80s. The music is timeless whether you like it or not.
What is the best advice you have ever received, and who did it come from?
Do what you love, love what you do. I think I read it somewhere but it came at a good time because I was at the point of giving up on the whole music thing. I’m really glad I didn’t do that.
What do you do to unwind?
Play football and watch cooking videos on YouTube.
Happiest memory?
Our first sold-out show in Glasgow.
And most embarrassing?
Any school talent show I ever entered.
Biggest regret?
I hate living with regrets so I don’t. If I had to say one it would be quitting football but I’m happy where I am now so it’s not that much of a regret.
What are you proudest of?
Any song that connects with someone. I’d say Talk for now, due to its success. That song has given lots of opportunities for me and the band, and loads of people across the world have connected with it.
November Lights will play at GIG21 – live music to raise awareness of young adults’ mental health – on February 16 at The Younger Hall, St Andrews. Doors open at 6.30pm and tickets to GIG21 cost £21 and are available at Tickets Scotland.