‘Born in the Blitz’ is the sound of Darling James forensically examining his own childhood and family dynamic, particularly those involving paternal expectations, disappointments and strengths. While recently exploring other personas in his work, most notably in hard-hitting 2021 single ‘Make the Grade’, this shift in perspective has allowed Darling James the space to more freely pick through his own past. ‘Born in the Blitz’ is the result, its unblinking lyric set to a pulsing, uneasy rhythm with smatterings of post-punk guitars and synths strewn on top.

Born in the Blitz

'Think Twice'
Performed by: Darling James
Written by: James O'Brien
Recorded and performed by: James O'Brien
Drums performed and recorded by: Benjamin Graham
Mixed by: Alex O'Gorman
Mastered by: William Bowden

Think Twice

We've all had them. Those heart-wrenching conversations we know could have been avoided but for lack of effort. But when it's all too late and the ill communication has taken its toll, we end up in a take-no-prisoners situation. Darling James calls this an 'Ultimatum Talk'. And it's the name given to his debut single; a sizzling, hypnotic, building track that details the stinging event and aftermath of receiving his own ultimatum talk.
From a beguiling ukelele loop to a psych-rock explosion of organs and drums, 'Ultimatum Talk' is a masterclass in minimalism and personal disaster. You will not escape unscathed.

Ultimatum Talk

You can't outrun yourself, but can you out-think yourself? On his second single Melbourne-based songwriter Darling James  tackles this question in a stomping, fizzing self-produced pop adventure titled 'The Itch'.
 
Filled with falsetto vocals, an incessant staccato drum figure and exhilarating atmospherics, the track - mixed by John Castle (Megan Washington, Vance Joy) - jarringly juxtaposes the intergalactic with scenes from everyday life. There's a sense of both mania and surrender: no matter how big we think or how long we ruminate, 'The Itch' reminds us that the patchwork of needs and urges that make us human have a habit of dragging us back to earth.


The Itch

God's Graffiti

First single from Darling James' second E.P. MOOD EYES

Silver Bullet

You're the Only One I Need Now

Never Let Me Go

Interlude (Present Sentimental)

Glass Canoe

Thinking What You're Thinking

Darling James is the moniker of Melbourne-based songwriter/producer James O'Brien. Originally used as a vehicle for tracks pieced together in late night bedroom recordings while touring as a sideman for other acts, O'Brien quickly developed the idea into a full-time project complete with a blistering three-piece live band.
No stranger to the Australian music scene, O’Brien has delved into many projects since he first came to attention with seminal Brisbane-come-Melbourne indie darlings The Boat People. With O’Brien as co-frontman and songwriter The Boat People had eight triple j high rotation singles from three acclaimed albums that also made their mark on Los Angeles’ KCRW and the UK’s Radio 1. The Boat People travelled to the U.S. no less than six times (playing SXSW twice) toured the UK multiple times and played on home soil at the likes of Big Day Out, Woodford Folk Festival, Valley Fiesta, Sunset Sounds and support slots for artists such as David Byrne, The Shins, Powderfinger, Crowded House, Washington, Tim Rogers and Augie March.
Beyond this list, O’Brien co-wrote and sung YesYou’s breakout radio hit ‘Half of It’ in 2011 and worked as side man in the much-lauded Machine Translations with whom he has toured nationally multiple times. Working as bassist for Kate Miller-Heidke, O’Brien performed at Splendour In The Grass and Southbound as well as tours in Australia and overseas.
Late 2016 saw the release of Darling James' debut E.P. Theory of Mind. First single, the mesmerising, sizzling ‘Ultimatum Talk’, was added to rotation on triple j and has knocked up over 125,000 plays on Spotify. Sold-out hometown shows and interstate tours followed including spots with Olympia, The Church, Dan Kelly and Ella Hooper. Darling James earned kudos from Wally De Backer (Gotye) while single ‘God’s Graffiti’, featuring a mix of exotic instrumentation over a head-nodding dance beat, was promptly added to rotation on Double J.
Darling James’ second E.P. MOOD EYES was released in August 2018 and saw O’Brien turn up the high-key-pop dial a notch or two while unapologetically showcasing his furrowed-brow-but-fun take on song writing and production. Single ‘Silver Bullet’ received rotation on Double J and a national tour followed as well as a residency and Melbourne’s famed Cherry Bar. 
Now Darling James releases his new single ‘Thinking What You’re Thinking’, a whip-smart take on current events, childhood and old allegiances that sees O’Brien question past assumptions with a twinkle in his eye all wrapped up in his signature bent pop production.

Management:
Rick Chazan - rick@groundcontrolmusic.com

Darling James

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