James Newman
Life according to...
How does it feel to finally be representing the UK at Eurovision after last year’s cancellation?
It’s amazing. In the build-up to it last year, I couldn’t believe I would be standing on a stage in front of hundreds of millions of viewers – and then I wasn’t! I’m buzzing to be asked again.
There will be a live audience in the arena – how will that feel? There’s going to be 3,500 in and it will be an amazing atmosphere. I’ll be feeding off of their energy and reaction, and I’m sure they’ll be buzzing about being there, too. How did you come up with the song, Embers?
We wrote it at the end of last year between lockdowns – myself, Tom Hollings, Samuel Brennan, Danny Sharpe and Conor Blake, who have all written hits. I wanted it to feel like the best of British. I also wanted to make it feel really upbeat so people could dance to it, whether it was in their kitchen or in an arena. And it’s fun to sing. Britain doesn’t seem to be liked at Eurovision these days.
People want to see effort, to see you’re doing the best you can, and that’s shown this year – and people are saying the UK has put in a massive banger. It shows we’re still taking it seriously. So far, it’s been a good response, but all I can do is go out there on the night and perform to my best, be who I am, and love the song I’m doing, and hopefully that will be reflected in the voting. It’s all about the performance on the night.
You’re driving a beautiful vintage Ford Mustang in the video for Embers. Where did you find it? It’s mine – it was one of the first things I bought when I felt I had made it enough. It was imported in 1970 and had been garaged for years. I’ve decided to sell it, so I put it in the video.
You had Covid last March. How are you now?
I had long Covid. I had a bad chest all summer, and asthma attacks. It took me the whole year to get back to normal. It must have been so bad for people who had it worse. I’m feeling better, and there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
What did you do during lockdown?
Songwriting doesn’t stop, so I just adapted to writing online. As well as the usual Zoom quizzes, I did some gardening, cooking and DIY – but we’re going to have to get a professional in to fix all of my DIY! Your plans for the year?
My next single is almost ready to go and then I have my album I want to put out this year. Hopefully I’ll go on tour as well.
The song is really upbeat. And it’s fun to sing