Quotes from James Bay

There should be an element of mystique between the fans and the artist. That bit between the stage and the audience. I think that's necessary.

There was a guitar that my uncle owned and never learnt to play. He sold it to my dad, and when I heard 'Layla', that was the tune that really grabbed me. I said to my dad, 'Wait, there's a guitar, right?'

I love the intimate, single spotlight, troubadour-y quiet, delicate moments. But I also love Springsteen and screaming and shouting.

Both Springsteen and Michael Jackson, who had these huge productions, could always scale them back down to just a song and a melody. All of that influences me. I also try to be a fictional writer, and sometimes I get close, but the things that resonate the most with me - and with everyone else - is what's real.

It's silly to call me the new Ed Sheeran. He can fill stadiums as a solo artist, but I'm not like that.

I spent two years playing open mic nights in Brighton, and I heard more and more people saying, 'You should give it a go in London.'

As a little kid, I was obsessed with Michael Jackson.

Growing up in Hitchin was comfortable and easy enough. My parents had some great records - and some not-so-great ones - and that's where I got introduced to Motown and the Stones and Springsteen.

To drive though the streets of Manhattan to sign a record deal was like a movie. It was crazy - pretty hard to put into words.

I like drawing people in the airport or on the bus or in venues. I like catching people in the moment. It's a similar inspiration for me in terms of songwriting.

How I set myself apart is by creating the sort of real and honest music, which is who I'm also trying to be.

I write about personal experiences. I write about things that have happened to me and the people around me, so you just sort of keep this antenna up and on the lookout for things to say.