Cape Town, February) – The ever genre-bending SAMA-nominated James Deacon is back with his latest offering – a new single titled Same Old. A track that came together in one session with his perpetual collaborator, Paul Gala, James describes the track as “the best thing I’ve ever made, this is really me.” Known for venturing into various genres and sounds, somehow, he feels this new single is truly his sound. “I’ve experimented a lot in the last few years just to push myself as much as I can creatively and as a songwriter. I’ve struggled to feel like I really have a consistent identity as an artist because my taste changes so much. The truth is, I make whatever music I want to in the moment.” 

Diving more into the story of Same Old, James shares that lyrically, the song is about how life is a series of cycles. “Good, bad, meaningful, meaningless. Life is basically just a fight – a kind of dance between ups and downs.” The single also delves into fighting with someone you love. “Sometimes fighting with someone you love can be like a microcosmic representation of the cycle of existence,” James says. “A push and pull between forces that eventually ends in the same old result.” 

Compared to his previous releases, Same Old is a lot more inspired by the things that made him fall in love with music in the first place. “This song had so much emotion that I really took the time to write because it means something to me.” James takes it a step further by sharing that he played a lot of the violin on the track. “That’s the instrument that first triggered my love for music back when I was 4 years old. It felt like a full-circle moment.” 

Often told that his diversity of genres and sounds within his music is holding him back, James refuses to be confined. “The freedom for me to make whatever music I want in the moment is why I love what I do, and why I love the team around me. I let the music happen.” That same approach has been taken when it comes to what fans can expect from James in the near future. “We’ll see how it goes. I have a few more tracks in the works that may form part of a greater EP,  but I really just take it song by song.” 

Although much has been shared through James’ music, there are still many things that fans might be surprised to learn about him. Playing the violin was one of those, along with the fact that he had won multiple eisteddfods before the age of 10, and was part of the violin conference for gifted children in Turin, Italy. “I also have multiple qualifications in Classical Opera.” Another love of his is stand-up comedy and improv comedy –  “My dream is to one day get the courage to try both of them out properly.”  

Keep an eye out for James as he continues to make big moves in the music scene. “I’ve recently moved to Cape Town, so I will definitely be doing a lot more live shows here. My best friend and collaborator, Luke McPhail, and I have been running a small music and entertainment business, and I’ve also moved into artist management.” But his music is still at the forefront, and fans can expect a lot more music headed their way. 

Stream Same Old here.

Follow James Deacon on social media: @jamesdeaconofficial