James McVey, best known as the incredible guitarist from The Vamps, is branching out with his debut solo single ‘Dancing On The Head of A Needle’.
Inspired by artists such as Damien Rice, ‘Dancing on the Head of a Needle’ is an unexpected offering from James which sees him channel a melancholic folk-laden vibe. Whilst the track is a far cry from the upbeat and euphoric sound what we’re used to from The Vamps, the song is a thoughtful and emotive debut which allows James to showcase his vulnerable lyricism over a calming melody.
This is an incredibly raw release from James, which was written after he was diagnosed with a polyp on his vocal cords which meant he had to undergo surgery as well as six months of voice rest. ‘Dancing on the Head of a Needle’ is a very personal offering and the first taste of what’s to come from his debut solo EP later this year.
Speaking about the track, James says: “Around the time that I wrote this song, people who were really close to me were going through things of their own, and because I was so far down this dark road after losing my voice, I was unable to acknowledge that I needed to be there for them. It’s a bit like my apology to the people I let down, but also to myself, for not being able to see the warning signs. I was deteriorating into a place that was almost too far down to reach.”
Check out a Garden Sessions performance of ‘Dancing on the Head of a Needle’ below.
James isn’t the only member of The Vamps to release solo music. Bassist Connor Ball is also part of an alt duo called The Lunar Year with Cheat Codes drummer Sasa Macek, and it’s really fun to see how the pair have taken completely different routes with their sound.
The Vamps are also collectively going strong, having just celebrated their 10-year anniversary with a World Tour including a sold out show at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The band are currently performing summer shows up and down the country, a testament to their longevity as a group. With James and Connor exploring different sounds individually, we can’t wait to see how this will inspire The Vamps in the future.
‘Dancing on the Head of a Needle’ can now be streamed now!