INTERVIEW: James Bruner discuss origins and influences alongside new single ‘Eye In The Sky’
Fresh off a whirlwind 20-date tour across the UK and Europe with Brit rockers The Struts and Barns Courtney, Illinois-born, Nashville-based rocker James Bruner is back, and he’s turning up the heat with his electrifying new single ‘Eye In the Sky’. A gripping take on the creeping presence of surveillance, AI, and deception in modern life, the track sees Bruner dial up the rock, delivering a guitar-driven anthem that channels the seductive yet ominous pull of today’s digital landscape.
With an EP on the horizon this spring and more recording sessions lined up, 2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for the rising artist. In this interview, Bruner discusses his origins and influences over the years, and gives us a glimpse into what’s next for his ever-evolving sound. Buckle up—this is rock ‘n’ roll at full throttle.
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What was the first rock song or artist that made an impact on you?
Lenny Kravitz’s rendition of American Woman really left a mark on me. I heard it on the school bus when I was around 7 years old and was immediately mesmerised by everything going on in the song. The loud Gibson Les Paul, the grooving drums, and Lenny’s vocal delivery left me speechless. For the longest time I didn’t even know that the song was a cover.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences within the rock genre?
Some of my biggest influences include Måneskin, Lenny Kravitz, Led Zeppelin and, of course, the Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger’s stage presence is impeccable.
Are there any non-rock musicians or genres that have also influenced your music?
A non-rock artist that inspires me very frequently is A$AP Rocky. I love how he builds a world around what he is creating. He always goes the extra mile to paint a picture for whoever is consuming his art. He also always goes over the top with his fashion being an extension of this personality and taste. That’s something that I have always found necessary and rewarding to do with myself.
What is your main inspiration when looking to write new music?
It varies every time I write. Sometimes I want to write about heartbreak like I did in my song ‘When I’m Down’ and then other times I want to make up a character or idea and let the song unveil itself to me, like in my new song ‘Eye in the Sky.’ Overall, the main inspiration for writing new music is the freedom that writing brings me.
What do you enjoy most about performing live and do you have any memorable live performance experiences you’d like to share?
Performing live is probably my favorite part of this crazy journey that I am on. The fact that I get to go out on stage playing my songs, jumping in the crowd, and throwing energy back and forth between myself and the crowd is still insane to me.
This last time I was on tour in London was specifically memorable. I had the privilege of opening up for The Struts and Barns Courtney at Roundhouse in Camden. That venue makes you feel like you are playing in a stadium when you’re on the stage, not to mention the history of rock and roll that has come through there. It was a magical day and I got to see the Abbey Road crossing a few hours prior to the show. I am still processing that day currently.
What has been a particularly rewarding moment in your musical journey so far?
I would say the moment that I realized that I get to make music and travel the world with my best friends has been the most rewarding one. They have my back and I am eternally grateful for them. Other than that, popping a bottle of champagne in Switzerland with Barns Courtney was pretty crazy.
How would you define success as a musician?
If I am able to create and perform music that helps people feel seen, not alone, or just makes the world better for them for a few minutes, that’s all the success I will ever need. I already know that I love doing it for myself so if others love it from afar then what more could I ask for.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out?
For starters I would say trust and enjoy the process. After that I would tell them to be unapologetically themselves and don’t be afraid to take risks. You may surprise yourself.
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Listen to James Bruner’s new single ‘Eye In The Sky’ below and tickets to his upcoming shows alongside Those Damn Crows HERE.