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 to access audio and video on collective you need real player.Rising through the ranks. All it takes is a few bars of the new single, Sheila, from the gangly singer/songwriter Jamie T, and the crowd fall in, screaming “London” right on cue. Sheila’s not out yet, but it’s been circulating on promo and, more significantly, the internet for a couple of months. And if there’s anyone among the 300-400 crowd who haven’t yet heard it, they’re covering up well. A tale of everyday destruction in London nightlife, its half-sung, half-rapped lyrics are delivered in an irresistibly chirpy manner, belying the somewhat bleak subject matter, which owes more to Casualty than Kaiser Chiefs.  “Tragedy is always a fun topic isn’t it?” he says, perched on the fire escape in the back garden of London’s Bush Hall. “Like Carlito’s Way - great film - and you think he’s gonna make it in the end but then… There’s something that attracts you about storylines like that. I go out every Friday and Saturday and I see people get the shit kicked out of them. It’s not nice, but I’ll be in the pub the next day going, ‘Mate, this bloke got the f**king shit kicked out of him last night.’ It’s just gossip on record basically. I should work for Heat magazine.” With his long face and tentatively extending quiff, Jamie Treays (Tree-ay) resembles a South London Chris Isaak, although the American avant-crooner isn’t on his list of influences, which range from 60s Jamaican legends Desmond Dekker and Don Drummond to The Specials, Clash and Beastie Boys, the last three all having the punky attitude-over-technique ethos that Jamie claims for himself. “You get grade-12 guitarists or whatever who can’t understand why they’re not doing well, because it’s not about that, it’s about the vibe. You can’t fake that, you can’t learn that,” he says passionately.  So, though claiming to be “shit at all of them”, Jamie plays almost every instrument on his songs, whether it’s the acoustic Back In The Game or the keyboard-laden Sheila. He’s been slowly filling out his sound “because I wanna make people dance”, but won’t succumb to anyone’s pleas to tidy up his sound. “Unless anyone has written an album I don’t listen to them,” he states flatly. “If you’ve never written an album why are you telling me how to write mine? That’s my attitude and no one’s ever questioned me on that. You wouldn’t like it if I told you how to do your job so don’t tell me how to do mine.” And right now Jamie’s doing his just fine. I sense a promotion in the offing.
Steve Yates
Jamie T – Sheila, released 10 July 06 on Virgin.
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comment by lover_pixie
Mar 9, 2007
hey you guys!!
comment by badgirlswirlgirl
Sep 13, 2006
Yeah i went to his last tour and he was so much better than i expected. I'm a big fan anyway and knew all the songs but I was still brilliantly impressed.
comment by yogifurlong
Sep 13, 2006
just back from Bestival and was lucky enough to stumble into a tent when this guy walked on stage....was the highlight of my weekend.Attitude,swagger,stage presence he had it. Oh and his material was,nt bad either...rough like the crowd and i suspect just the way he likes it. He def. has something...the kids loved it. New style and approach that was fresh and slaves to no obvious genre...a hybrid.Not sure if i,d want to listen to him on disc..although i,ll not rule it out till i,ve tried...but live...sensational. Gonna catch him next month in Glasgow...with a few friends i,ll be draggin along. If he,s passing your way....+++++
comment by badgirlswirlgirl
Jul 16, 2006
i love this guy, i've had the demos for what seems like forever and i think its about time an album flew out! I've also managed to get tickets for his sheffield gig next weekend so looking forward to how it all goes across live. Though i do feel at the moment it may be a battle between him and plan b. They both just feel like similar artists, with plan b being a little more hardcore and jamie being a little more electro. Either way I'd go for Jamie T all the way.
comment by flyingtwinkle
Jul 15, 2006
The twenty year old is touring UK , featuring his all new live band -The Selfish Sons, since he finds it hard to play the trebly basslined acoustic guitar, he simply strums away. and creates funky sinalong fusions driving people crazy
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