New Song - Cry

 “Your heart is happy, you start to glow,  you begin to see the positives in life,  you're basically happy,  UNTIL one day the unthinkable happens…,” Melissa James

We caught up with our Melbourne singer/songwriter, Melissa James on her upcoming song, “Cry.”  

All artists are trying to communicate and connect, and Melissa is an artist that truly knows how with songs like ‘Beautiful Day’, ‘Copycat (Girlfriend) and “Swept Away.” Some may say that Melissa represents all backgrounds and touches on what really goes on in today’s society. Her upcoming song “Cry” is an example of how love is handled in a fast paced environment.  

“The song in my opinion is one which is real, this is what goes on in society for some,” says Melissa.  “There are relationships out there especially the younger ones who jump straight into a guy (or girl) they like and don't really see the bigger picture.”

“Cry” is a song about how people (in this case a young woman) learn by doing and when it comes to building relationships, only the experience of actually doing something and getting hurt will the lesson be taught. 

People often say, don’t get in, too deep

The moment we locked eyes it felt so crazy

Took with you my heart and every single night

I thought you were mine, but you said Goodbye

What we love about “Cry” is that Melissa and Shane Ryall introduces a moog sound bass that is round and furry to set a fuzzy moody vibe, rather like the Coldplay before taking the listener on a journey through a hip style dance groove. The lyrics are deliberately girly and youthful to symbolise innocence in the world of love. The song is easy going, has current pop sounds but remains very fresh, girly with slow catchy hooks. 

“I’m looking forward to the finished product, so exciting to create something new,” says Melissa.  “The end result is always surprising.”

Melissa is currently working on the film clip which focuses on a girl dressed in white in her bedroom. Imagine the bedroom draped in white with white silky, flowing curtains and maybe a tinge of pale blue background.

The new song is available on Pre Order and will be released later in April so watch this space or click on Melissa James YouTube channel here. 

New Music Video

Copycat (girlfriend) marks the return for Australian songstress Melissa James, who had a hit single and top 20 in the ARIA dance charts in the 1990s with the track 'Baby Come Back'.

After launching the single, Copycat (girlfriend) live at The Vineyard, St Kilda in August  this year, Melissa has released the music video.

So let’s back up a bit for those who missed this strong pop-rock single. While the title ‘Copycat (girlfriend)” may prepare you for something you expect to hear on a teen movie, don’t be fooled by the cute title. There’s a Divinyls / Baby Animals edge to the song that aims to encourage and inspire young adults to embrace one’s natural physical features and not a “copy” of someone else.  

“I hear it every day with teens wanting blonde hair and blue eyes because that’s what they’ve been told is the ideal beauty,” says Melissa.  “But this is so wrong. You can be beautiful with brown eyes and brown hair.  This is what my song is about.. .believing in yourself.”

You fake it all the time

Is that my dress you're wearing tonight?

Your makeup looks like mine

You just want to be me all the time

Copycat (Girlfriend) was created by band member, Shane Ryall. He was inspired by a conversation he was having with his music students. They all wanted to be someone else and as the conversation went further it triggered the disturbing realisation that young teenagers are both susceptible and conditioned to what other people do. He knew that if society didn’t start teaching them to love themselves and stop trying to be a copy of someone else, they will grow up to be very unhappy adults. Shane later discussed this with Melissa who could relate to the teenagers after spending most of her childhood trying to be someone else, which created identity issues and low self-esteem. 

“I felt uncomfortable and had very low self-esteem about it,” says Melissa. “I would rather not go out and stay in my bedroom where I was most comfortable.”
 

When Melissa was scheduled to write another song with Shane, it became instinctively obvious to them what their next song should be about. The music to Copycat (Girlfriend) came first and the lyrics followed. The music video was choreographed and produced by Melissa and focuses on the insecurity and uncertainty of a girl not knowing who she is. She sits alone in black holding up a wardrobe of fragmented clothing to her body but nothing suits her. The awkwardness of failed attempts and jerking movements as she sings the chorus really brings the message home that none of these “looks” suits her because they are not her own.

“We are rapt that the music and sounds have an “in your face” pop element,” says Melissa. “It has lavish vocals with stripped back guitar keeping it a radio friendly pop tune.”

The captivating new single 'Copycat (girlfriend) is available to purchase now on iTunes, Google Play, and for streaming on Spotify and other services. The single includes an instrumental and acapella version of the track, and is available now.

Searching

“Someone once said “play the starring role of your life, not the supporting role.  Funny enough you start to see things differently.  You begin to be more decisive, assertive.” Melissa James

After the successful release of her strong pop rock “Copycat (girlfriend)”, we caught up with Melissa to get a sneak peek of her upcoming contemporary rock track, “Searching”.

“Searching is about life, relationships and how I see them,” says Melissa. “It’s important not to wait for anyone and to take charge of your own life.”

Melissa wrote and produced Searching herself. The song started as a hum, which Melissa recorded on her mobile. Then day by day, the hum transformed into a melody with lyrics and guitar.

“My melodies all come naturally, they just happen. Searching came when I was in the shower,” Melissa smiles. “When I connect with a melody, I hum it on my phone then build on it.” 

Drawing from past experiences and observing relationships in general, Melissa wanted to tap into a human situation that most could relate to. She remembered a quote someone once said to her, “play the starring role of your life, not the supporting role,” and it really turned her life around.  It saddened Melissa when she discovered that so many were at the place she once was, in unhappy relationships.

“When I was told to stop playing 'the supporting role', I started to see things differently.  You begin to be more decisive, assertive.  That quote is like a whack across the face telling you to wake up and smell the coffee!” explains Melissa. “Some relationships just never go to the next level and you feel like you’re at a standstill and you wanted more. When you reach this stage then do something about it, say something, don’t be afraid.”

Melissa wanted to send out the same message that she had once received but unlike most songs of the heart, Melissa’s story couldn’t be cocooning. It had to be real and obviously her song expresses a lot of frustration; it’s in the chorus of the song.  But through the frustration there is also a gentle solace that sticks in powerful guitars with an alternative rock groove.
 

CHORUS

I can't wait any longer

Even though you want me in your life

I won't chase anymore cos

I know you don't have me in your heart

“Searching basically lets the listener know it’s okay to ask questions,” continues Melissa.  “Once you feel a bit of doubt then it’s okay.  You help yourself by addressing what you’ve invested so much time and energy in.  It’s okay to let go and move on.”

Don't you come my way

There'll be no one for you

I would rather be

fanciful and carefree

The new song is scheduled to be released with a raw rock video clip in July/August so watch this space.

Life as an Artist

“Being an Artist is hard work.  Whoever thinks it’s a simple career is kidding themselves.” Melissa James

The tales of fame and fortune make a singing career appealing to many people, especially the young. But the reality is that it’s not all about pursuing earthly glory and living in the fast lane.  

“A lot of musicians can become loners,” says Melissa. “You don’t live a very social lifestyle as people think.”  

According to our very own Melbourne singer, Melissa James, singers across the board have to work hard and every artist struggles on many levels.  In most cases, if you live to tell the tales of your climb to success, you are among the fortunate ones.

“Being an artist is a 24 hour career,” says Melissa.  “You need to look good, feel good, eat well, drink plenty of water, and look after your instrument being your voice.  Your hair and skin needs to look healthy, we get judged on every level, from head to toe.  Most turn to drugs and alcohol just to conjure up some confidence to hit the stage.”  

While the lifestyle of an artist varies, the fan expectations remain the same.  If you don’t impress, you won’t make it.  So a singer has to work hard writing songs, rehearsing songs, and working on their performance abilities. Then there is touring, which takes a lot of time and energy, and can mean that a singer is on the road more than they are at home. On the road, most stay at cheap hotels, eat at the local hotel restaurant and sometimes skipped dinner altogether to catch up on some sleep.  Most singers perform at night, so staying up late is par for the course.  So is it still worth it?

“It is worth it in the end when your fans love you. They go out of their way to attend your concerts and buy your albums!” says Melissa with excitement. “I remember a two month tour I did with Rockmelons and Paul Gray from Wa Wa Nee.  We did a NYE gig along with Kate Ceberano and Noiseworks at Coffs Harbour. There were thousands of people..  we had so much fun singing and dancing for them with Wendy J who was the other backup singer.”

Melissa shared more with us on Ashely Cadell’s involvement in getting her the two month tour with Rockmelons and the rehearsals required in Sydney.  Ashely also co-wrote with Melissa -- Beautiful Day, Left in the Cold and Somebody Like You, but we will savour these for another story. So back to touring the east and west coast around in a Tarago “the sexy people mover” where Melissa broke into some freestyle dancing and did high five jumps on stage.

“Wendy J and I were in a band together in Melbourne called ‘New Jacks’ we covered the whole 90’s cover scene.  The Rockmelons called us the ‘new kids on the block’, haha,” Melissa laughs.  “We were a dynamite band, seven of us on stage playing to hundreds of Melbourne club goers..ahh those were the days!”

Finally, we asked Melissa what was her most memorable touring moment.

“One show on the tour that stood out for me was when we were performing with Dragon at the Sydney Opera House, just incredible and that was with Marc Hunter.  He sure had the whole city mesmerised!  Glad I got to see him live,  he truly was one of Australia’s best frontmen.” 

Copycat (Girlfriend)

“Copycat (girlfriend) is about believing in yourself.” Melissa James

Whether you’ve heard her on Adelaide’s KIXX Radio or seen her climbing the Euro Indie charts, Melissa James just keeps giving us more and there's something coming this April. We are really excited to give you a little inside scoop on her next song and film clip, “Copycat (girlfriend)”.

“One day when Shane and I were sitting down playing riffs on the guitar,” says Melissa. “Shane starts telling me these funny cute stories and with that came the title Copycat (girlfriend).”

Melissa met band member, Shane Ryall years ago in a soul classics band called ‘The Grand Wazoo’. Shane was the guitarist and Melissa was one of the singers and together they have written almost an album full of songs that are listened to worldwide. Some of their song reviews have been incredible! 

“Great sound!! I am listening to your tunes and really like it :) Just a moment ago I enjoyed listening to "Like This Like That.” ~ Jason Rouvel Australia Canberra

“I bet you hear this all the time, but I was genuinely amazed when I first heard one of your tunes online Like This Like That.” ~ Nicholas. Canada

“Hi! If I were walking along the streets of New York at night, contemplating and wondering, "Like This Like That" would be the tune in the background. My love for this one will never fade away.” ~ Brianna Green – United States



While the title of Copycat (girlfriend) may prepare you for a bouncy song with fresh and youthful vibes, don’t be fooled by its cute title. There is an edge to the song that opens up the song’s true meaning about personal identity and embracing one’s natural physical features. 

The song aims to especially inspire young adults to be comfortable within themselves regardless of hair and eye colour and stop trying to be a “copy” of someone else.  

You fake it all the time
Is that my dress you're wearing tonight?
Your makeup looks like mine
You just want to be me all the time

“I worked on this track with Doug Brady and Shane,” says Melissa “We are rapt that the music and sounds have an “in your face” pop element both musically and vocally!”

Copycat (girlfriend) is scheduled to release in April so stay tuned.

Swept Away

“I am currently working on a new song ‘Swept Away’.  It will have acoustic guitars, a simple melody and catchy hooks.” Melissa James

We caught up with our Melbourne singer/songwriter, Melissa James on her upcoming song, “Swept Away.”  

Having written many fun and breezy songs, Melissa and long term band member, Shane Ryall, are scheduled to lay down the tracks of a slightly different song. While it’s a pop number, the song has a very serious theme. It was inspired by the world refugee crisis in 2015 where millions of Syrians fled their homes because of the conflict within their home country, half of them being children. It was when a three-year-old Syrian boy’s body was washed up on a beach in Turkey in a desperate attempt to flee to Canada, the world was forced to see how deadly the Syrian civil war has become.  

“Inspired by the shock and tragic news of this little boy washed up at sea, Shane was so touched that he went away and named the song ‘Swept Away’ after this tragedy,” says Melissa.  “Asylum seekers’ lives are precious and the children need saving, we need to provide them with a good life.”

While one may expect minor chords of melancholy and an undercurrent of mourning and sadness in the new song, Melissa has superbly turned the suffering into something of pride and strength with a mixture of happiness and love weaved into catchy hooks. The lyrics mostly revolve around love so that they are easier to relate to. 

Chorus 

“Swept Away, without an emotion,

‘Swept Away, like a boat in the ocean,

‘Swept Away, your love’s like a potion,

‘Swept Away for love”

The sweet simple groovy melody with happy acoustic guitar has a pleasant way of surprising us about how the human brain processes sadness and a breezy beat all at the same time. The song soothes the emotions and good for our mental health. 

“‘Swept Away’ is not a sad song, I have made it a happy love song,” continues Melissa. “It’s about love, whether it’s for a precious child, family or partner and how beautiful it is when it arrives.”

The new song is scheduled to record in February 2016 so watch this space. 

Fun with RooArt

“RooArt flew me to Sydney for the launch of the “Black and White” Music Album magazine. I was honoured to be asked to be a part of such a major event.” Melissa James

It’s not every day that an artist gets an opportunity to get some insight on how record companies do business with artists. Most artists are not as lucky as Melissa where record labels like RooArt “gets you” and wants to manage your career. 

Today Melissa shares with us her experience with RooArt. “I was signed to ‘La Digue’ the sub label of RooArt,” says Melissa with excitement. “It was a great time in my career; this helped me a lot personally because I have had some insight on what record companies can really do for artists.”

While the internet has given artists an alternative route to make contact with and sell directly to fans, nothing really compares to what a great record label can do for you. Even with independent artists having access to some of the best online promotion and social media experts, it’s still slower and a lot harder getting your music out to more people without a record label. One can never pull the same strings that record companies can when you want to get on TV and more gigs. Record labels have local and worldwide industry influences that independent artists could never build on their own. 

“RooArt were a great record company. They provided the best service to their artists,” Melissa continues. “I was updated on a daily basis as to how and where the song (Baby Come Back) was going. They arranged promo tours on the east coast of Australia and flew me in all parts of the east coast and arranged my daily schedule. All I had to do was get ready and go. I met local people, industry people; they took me out to dinners and lunches.”  

Apart from Melissa being part of RooArt’s roster of several well-known Australian bands and artists such as Crow, Ratcat, Screaming Jets, You Am I, Wendy Matthews, The Hummingbirds, The Trilobites and Amanda Brown – she was also part of the launch of the infamous “Black & White” Music Album magazine.  

“I had to be photographed with little clothing but present an art form. So we decided I would be photographed as a leopard,” Melissa laughed. “It was a big deal!  It took 9 hours to paint me up as a leopard.”

Melissa’s grateful for the opportunity RooArt gave her. She will never forget the fun NYE gig she did with Kate Ceberano, Noiseworks and Rockmelons at Coffs Harbour. Nor will she forget the bloopers on the way.

“A funny thing happened during the night of ‘Black & White’ launch. We all appeared on stage to say a few words. They asked me, ‘Melissa tells us how the night is going for you’ … Being the honest person that I am, I said … ‘Well for a starters my Dad doesn’t know I’m here, he thinks I’m in bed. Apart from that it’s a great night and happy to be here!’  All of a sudden the crowd was laughing!”

Did you know?

Before A Gig

“I used to get shy and was afraid to speak to the audience. I didn’t even have the courage to say which song I was about to sing.” Melissa James

Melissa James has cool music and a cool band, but she’s also human and while she gets better at handling pre-gig jitters, it never completely goes away. Why? Because a successful gig is not just about playing music that people like, it’s all about singing and performing your songs ‘consistently well’ at every venue and in different scenarios.

“I used to be afraid to even speak to the audience,” says Melissa.  “It sounds weird I know considering I am a singer. I was always sure of my voice but talking to the crowd made me feel like I had a big spotlight on me and I couldn’t escape it.” 

However, Melissa wasn’t going to be one of those singers that simply don’t perform well on stage due to anxiety. In the end, it's all about the music and whether Melissa sings for thousands of people every night or at a backyard barbeque, she had to overcome her mental anxieties to share her music with the world. The world deserves a good performance and so does Melissa, and boy can Melissa perform. When she performs, you're overwhelmed by her energy and you get the chills with her five octave range. She is exceptional! 

“Before a gig I have always been anxious, uptight.  I struggled with what to wear, how to do my makeup, my hair.  It was an effort to get this all right but now I am a little more relaxed these days and wear what feels comfortable but sexy,” Melissa continues. “Now I feel empowered when I’m scheduled to do a gig and get excited because it’s an opportunity to play new songs live and allow the ‘introvert’ to transform into the ‘extrovert’.”  

After years of being on stage, Melissa spends less time worrying about her performance anxiety and more time focussing on having fun rehearsing with her band a few days beforehand. While most of the rehearsal is spent focusing on getting the songs rhythmically tight and matching dynamic levels in various parts of the songs, it’s not just about “learning to play and sing the songs perfectly” together as a band. The band knows the drill; each member knows their place and what they need to do so rehearsal is more about getting in the zone and having fun before a gig. 
This is crucial for Melissa and her band because they know that when they play live; their music is only 50% of what most people in their audience care about. The other 50% is what they see.  So if they are not in the right headspace, their live shows will suffer from poor stage presence.  

“I feel lucky to have good band members,” says Melissa.  “We all want to perform live and feel pumped; we want to rehearse and want to get up there on stage and play strong.  There is nothing more rewarding than doing a gig with people listening and dancing to your songs, and we love it.

To see Melissa and her band perform, click on the music video, ‘LIKE THIS LIKE THAT’ 

Beautiful Day

“This song is close to home. It’s about my home life and my relationship with my father.” Melissa James

As the warm beat implies, ‘Beautiful Day’ draws listeners into a calm, breezy world filled with feel good energy and sunshine smiles.  It’s only natural that you want to just keep listening on.  But what’s really behind the song that was released by BMG and featured in FOX FM homegrown within the first week of release? 

Removing the success factor of Melissa James and Ashley Cadell’s collaboration on ‘Beautiful Day’, let’s strip it down to its essence. Apart from it being a song about the life and times of Melissa’s home life, this is a song written about a daughter’s devotion towards her father. 

“My father (whom I miss dearly, he passed 2 years ago) was a stern, hardworking but sociable man.  He created the culture at home,” says Melissa.  “When he was happy the whole family was happy.”  

I surrender myself to make a brighter day

All I ask from yourself is for a little praise

Love conquers all that’s what they say

I’ll give you everything

When you’re blue skies are grey

“His mates would be over regularly, singing and carrying on playing the piano accordion. I would be in my room listening,” Melissa continues.  “So one day I got up and started singing Beautiful Day in my head.”

While Melissa’s goal was to impress upon her listeners in a light-hearted catchy tune that her father dictated the mood within the household, she does not hold back in singing that her father would always be there through the good and bad times.

No more rainy days ‘cos I’ll be there for you

To bring the joy back to your face

Sunshine is coming through

A thousand tears may fall

Until the rain has gone

But that will be over now

‘Cos im coming home

To listen to ‘Beautiful Day”
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/beautiful-day-ep/id276383259

A Day Recording

I am planning to record my next new song, “Swept Away” with my co-writer Shane Ryall.  

Behind the strutting, pouting entertainer who has been blessed with a rare five octave range - Melissa is just a shy Aussie girl from Melbourne who still gets pre-recording jitters.  

“I get a bit jittery before recording a new song only because I have to absolutely sound my best because recording is forever, you can chop and change things in the studio but the voice has to sound good and rested,” says Melissa.

As much as fans would like to think, singers just don’t get out of bed one morning and sing their way into the Top 20s still dressed in their pyjamas. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?  But the lifestyle of a singer isn’t always a colourful, anything goes, “sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll” kinda thing. Vocal recording is an art unto itself and every artist approaches it differently.  

So how does our Aussie pop diva, Melissa James do it? She begins by getting a good night rest the day before the session.

“I get up reasonably early,” Melissa said. “I avoid doing things like checking emails and taking phone calls. I’d rather chill. I have my morning coffee and a bit of cereal.”

It takes Melissa hours of mental and physical relaxation before her voice is ready to begin a warm-up. If her recording is late afternoon, she will usually start at midday and warm up for an hour like an athlete to set the tone and warmth of her vocals. It’s only then that she is ready to take on a recording session.  

“I make sure that I wear something super comfortable. Maybe some jeans, Ugg boots and a casual track top.” Melissa shyly smiles.

Okay, not quite the pyjamas that fans imagined, but just as comfortable! It’s all about getting in the zone, keeping your vocals super fit and relaxed from beginning to end.  No wonder it takes time for Melissa to unwind and bring the mind and body back to normal after a session.

“It’s hard work, you to do a warm up for your vocal session and a warm down when you’re finished by humming for 15 mins,” Melissa says.  “After my vocal session it feels like I have done a work out.” 

How it all started . . .

It all started at a night club with me singing Whitney Houston’s, “The Greatest Love of All.” 

Born into a family of singers and performers, Melissa is the daughter of a piano accordion and tenor.  Her uncle fronted a Melbourne band Tropicana, which he also played saxophone.  It’s not surprising that her family inspired her to become the global pop artist she is today. 

“My mother played the piano accordion and my father had probably the best tenor voice of all time, untrained but had a beautiful tone, a friend nicknamed him the ‘4th Tenor’…My inspiration came from my family.”  ~ Melissa James

There was never any doubt about what Melissa wanted to do in life.  From having fun performing ABBA songs (Melissa blushes when she tells us) in front of her classmates to auditioning in talent shows.  But her real start in music began on one Saturday night at a Melbourne club. Melissa plucked up the courage to sing with a duo playing in the bar. 

“I chose to sing 'The Greatest Love of All' and who should be on keyboards Chong Lim,” says Melissa. “He said 'Melissa that was great… you are going to be a star!”

And of course, Chong Lim (Malaysian-born Australian keyboardist, producer, and session musician) was absolutely right. 

Since then Melissa released “Beautiful Day”, receiving national exposure through TV and radio air-play.  She became the highest Australian Dance Artist on National Dance Aria Chart with her release of “Baby Come Back”, which was produced by Ross Inglis. They also co-wrote songs like “Sweet Possession” and “Show Me”.

Later Melissa performed and co-wrote the rap on “Love You Right” by Euphoria, which went to number #1. She also rapped on the Lou Richards release of the popular song, “Up There Cazaly”.

Melissa’s voice and song writing continues to soar in the release of her latest single and music video, “Like This Like That.” Its fresh groovy beat is infectious and will get you up dancing with deep underlying lyrics to make it more than just another pop song.  

You can listen to Melissa on YouTube, iTunes, Vevo, Vimeo Amazon, Rhapsody, Emusic and Napster. 

CLICK to listen to ‘Like This Like That”

Left in the Cold (c) Music Video