Local Bands

James on the piano

James Summerfield is, by his own admission, obsessed with playing the guitar.

His interest in music stems from childhood, where the piano was the first instrument James got to grips with.

"I actually didn’t like playing the piano too much," he said live on BBC WM Introducing. "I didn't like the kind of music. I was very young. But it helped so much. If you're musically minded you can do use the skills of one instrument on another. I wouldn't be playing the guitar now if it wasn't for the piano."

James live on BBC WM Introducing

James specialises in folk music and more upbeat tunes heavily influenced by country and acoustic acts.

"I remember listening to After The Goldrush by Neil Young," he said. "It was in my mum's record collection and I just loved it. It really influenced me. It got me into many other Americana-influenced bands.

"I remember desperately wanting a guitar and I was just so excited when my parents finally brought me one. I used to sleep with it! I was obsessed with learning, with playing. It's funny today because kids get bought an electric guitar for Christmas and it's no big deal. For me, wanting one for so long, it was huge."

In his teens John formed a band with other local musicians from the Birmingham area. They soon came to the attention of the legendary John Peel.

Moseley Folk Festival

"I was in a band with a friend called Craig Hamilton. We were called Buick 6 and we had a couple of Peel sessions. It was really good. It wasn't live – you just went in and recorded as live four or five songs for him to use. I only met him once. He was real cool."

Now 27, James Summerfield performs alone as one of the area's most promising folk musicians, recently playing live at the 2008 Moseley Folk Festival. Music though is not his only passion in life.

"I worked in a special needs school and now I want to teach. I'm a guitar teacher too so that’s going to fund my university career in childhood education studies. I do love music though and will continue to play live for as long as I enjoy it. I'm not trying to get signed; I do it for the love."

Thursdays 8-10pm on 95.6FM

To listen again to James Summerfield playing live on BBC WM Introducing, click the link at the top of the page.

For more information on James Summerfield, visit: www.myspace.com/jamessummerfield

BBC WM Introducing - Thursday 28th August 2008

In addition to a live performance from James Summerfield, other artists featured included:

Deano - live 11th September on 95.6FM

• Isolated Atoms - Empty Eyes
• The Arcadian Kicks - Standing In The Road
• 1Eye - You Push
• Scott Matthews - Prayers
• Vijay Kishore - Move On

If you'd like your music to be featured on BBC WM Introducing - the West Midlands' only radio show dedicated to 100% local and unsigned music - click the link below.