How do you get to The Met Philadelphia? Ask NJ singer-songwriter Micky James.
After releasing his regal first single, “Kings,” but, before he dropped his glam-slamming, February-2021-due EP, sartorially correct, smartly literary Princeton, NJ singer-songwriter Micky James did the only thing a flashily theatrical performer could do. He booked The Met Philadelphia for “Micky James – Live at the Met – The Philadelphia Special.” A nearly 35-minute, streaming concert set on that epic Philly stage, and airing at BandsInTown.com on Wednesday, February 3 at 4 p.m. ET.
“The Met is a remarkable facility that has attracted many of the world’s premier entertainers while creating a new sense of pride for the region,” said Geoff Gordon, Live Nation Philadelphia’s Regional President. Hearing that James was thrilled to action by seeing Bob Dylan and Greta Van Fleet at The Met, Gordon took action. “The Met also serves as an inspiration for many local musicians and performers like Micky to dream big. When Micky approached us with the idea to film his debut video on the stage at the Met, we knew we were onto something special. A rising Philadelphia star on one of Philadelphia’s biggest stages. And this video showcases Micky’s incredible gift while highlighting the Met’s unique features.”
dosage MAGAZINE and I caught up with Micky James in the midst of a snowstorm.
A.D. Amorosi: It would normally take years for a local musician to headline The Met. You, however, seemingly are just walking through its front doors and jamming. How, when and why did you set up a show at such an illustrious venue? What about that venue is so inspiring to make it your own?
Micky James: After seeing a few shows at The Met I was hooked. I knew I had to play there one day. I was fortunate enough to be connected with the fantastic team and crew of people over at the Met, Especially Geoff Gordon and Jon Hampton of Live Nation, to properly execute this idea and bring the iconic venue to life. The absence of live music in 2020 was crushing. And I felt it was necessary to give my fans and others a live concert experience nonetheless. And if we were going to give them a live show, I wanted it to be grandiose and electric. Other than the name of the venue being so renowned, there is such an undeniable elegance at the Met that is so beautiful and inspiring. It was my mission to have the live show filmed at that venue.
A.D. Amorosi: You’re a Princeton guy in your mid-twenties. What and who did you grow up listening to? And how specifically did your faves inspire what you do today as a singing-songwriting player? Especially since you have been doing this since age 10. Feel free to give examples of one of your songs and how its inspiration struck?
Micky James: I grew up listening to the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Bowie, The Stones, Bob Dylan, etc. All of those artists still inspire me greatly to this day. The songwriting is what really inspired me, but it took years to understand them as writers. Which is probably a testament to their brilliance. In a way, I’m still trying to understand. But I think that’s what’s so beautiful about songwriting and what’s still so inspiring to me as an artist.
A.D. Amorosi: What would the 27-year-old you, now, tell the 10-year-old you, then, about what to expect, musically and culturally?
Micky James: I would tell little 10-year-old MJ to not be so small-minded when it comes to music. That it’s important to expand your musical palette. Keep writing and keep discovering yourself. Once you figure out who you are as an artist, everything seems a bit easier from there on.
A.D. Amorosi: Also, as you are someone who likes to dress the part, how did fashion inspire what you do musically? And, no joke, please talk about the fashion choices you made so as to play on The Met’s stages.
Micky James: Rock ‘n roll and fashion have always been intricately intertwined. Other than the music, fashion has always been another form of expression to me ever since I was a kid. When it comes to performing, I look at it as a sense of occasion. There’s a choice you have to make when presenting yourself on a stage. I choose to dress up and make the performance a little bit more interesting.
A.D. Amorosi: Also, as you are someone who likes to dress the part, how did fashion inspire what you do musically? And, no joke, please talk about the fashion choices you made so as to play on The Met’s stages.
Micky James: Rock ‘n roll and fashion have always been intricately intertwined. Other than the music, fashion has always been another form of expression to me ever since I was a kid. When it comes to performing, I look at it as a sense of occasion. There’s a choice you have to make when presenting yourself on a stage. I choose to dress up and make the performance a little bit more interesting.
A.D. Amorosi: I know you have a debut EP due out in February, with “Kings” on it presumably, as well as an unreleased song “Scars.” Tell me all about it. And who is your band?
Micky James: This is going to be an 8-song Live EP from The Met performance. Most of these songs have been released for a while, but I thought now is the right time to package these songs together and finally release them as a body of work. I couldn’t think of a better way to release my first EP than to have it be a live with the band, whom I’ve been playing with for a few years now. The band currently consists of drummer Josh Grigsby, bassist Adam Jessamine and guitarist Ryder Stuart.
A.D. Amorosi: What can you tell other local musicians about the rush of playing The Met stages?
Micky James: I’d say the bigger the stage, the closer you are to God.
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