Parson James draws a firmer emotional boundary on Love Right Here, his collaboration with Emeli Sandé and Troy Miller.
Written with Miller and JP Cooper, the gospel-tinged pop track finds the singer recognising the love already around him and questioning who merits access to his inner peace.
Miller’s arrangement gives James and Sandé space to lead, with gospel choir touches supporting the two voices. “Discover moments of magic but allow the vocals and the song to do the work,” James explains.
Now based in London after leaving Nashville, the voice behind Kygo’s Stole The Show discusses that leap of faith, the ease of connecting with Sandé and the production choices behind the single in our FM PRO Quickfire 5.
It feels like once I actually surrendered everything made so much sense.
Q1. What did Love Right Here allow you to express that your earlier songs could not?
In some ways I feel it allowed me to be a bit more direct and less empathetic to the person/thing that has kept me in the cycle. I find I always give the benefit of the doubt far too easily and with this one it felt more like a declaration of peace within that this being shouldn’t have access to.
Q2. What did Troy Miller and JP Cooper each bring to the song during the writing process?
JP is a legend. Remarkable wordsmith who brings honesty and truth and perspective that makes you genuinely sit, think and feel in a way I’ve not experienced. Troy is single handedly one of the best musicians and producers I’ve ever worked with. Instincts are incredible and his want for me to push past comfort.
Q3. You have admired Emeli Sandé for years. What surprised you most when your voices finally came together in the studio?
The easiness! first I was just surprised of how quickly we fell into relating to one another and how deep we got. So by the time we were singing it was just free flowing. I have such a respect for her I still can’t believe this is real lol.
Q4. After rewriting versions of your album over several years, what made you feel your life and songwriting had finally aligned?
Taking a major leap of faith, giving up my home in Nashville and surrendering to the call that was leading me to the current set of people I am working with and finally listening to the call of London that’s been in the back of my mind for so long. It feels like once I actually surrendered everything made so much sense.
Q5.FM PRO TECH: How did you and Troy Miller build the arrangement around two powerful lead voices without overcrowding the song?
Simplicity is key! Find moments of magic but allow the vocals and the song to do the work. The gospel choirs touches were imperative.
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