As the vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for The Feelers, James Reid has already established himself as one of New Zealand’s most successful song writers and musicians. He and his band The Feelers have sold more albums than any other New Zealand band.
Hailing from Christchurch, in the South Island of New Zealand, James started his musical career at the age of four. His first party appearance was on his father’s knee with a breath-taking rendition of Glen Campbell’s Rhinestone Cowboy. The country feel has still remained in the music, although since the age of four the influences were many and varied. From the Beatles, Elton John, Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon, Sting, Cat Stevens, The Kinks, The Jam through many a folk singer to Grunge and more recently the song writing of Ryan Tedder (One Republic).
At high school he was in a band, which won their high school “Battle of the Bands”. This was not the first prize he would win. In 1995 his new band “the feelers” won the “South Island Battle of The Bands”. Their prize was a trip to Auckland to record their first EP “The Leaving,” which was later re-recorded and released on their debut LP “Supersystem” through Warner Music in 1998. This record went to #1 and had two consecutive most played songs on NZ radio, with the title track “Supersystem” and “Venus.”
That year they won “Best Production” for the Album at the NZ Music awards, the following year they would go on to win 4 more awards. After touring extensively throughout NZ, Australia and Europe, the band went to work on their follow up album “Communicate.” Recorded in NZ and London with famed producer Gil Norton (Foo Fighters, Counting Crows, The Pixies to name a few) This record also went to #1 in NZ, with multiple chart hits.
The follow up record “Playground Battle” also took the top spot on the New Zealand charts, and another song “Stand up” getting the most played award again at the Silver Scroll awards. “One World” also went to #1, making New Zealand history for a band to have 4 #1 Albums in a row.
James has written over 20 top 20 hits and 10 top 10 hits and is constantly working on new material and projects. James has recently recorded his first solo album “Saint”.