SELF PRODUCED ARTIST - JAMES MCCORMICK
SELF PRODUCED ARTIST - JAMES MCCORMICK
A nineteen-year-old producer with education and practiced skill in performance, composition, songwriting, recording and mixing. An undying passion for auditory art largely inspired by new-wave and post-punk styles brings me to pursue music production, working to build a discography of a unique interpretation of darker, edgier, old-school influences.
I am a multi-instrumentalist whose strongest interest has been music for as long as I can remember; my earlier taste in classic rock has evolved into an appreciation for everything between synth-pop and punk. The development of my skills in music has been facilitated by my time studying Music Performance and Production at Southern Regional College, where I will continue to study Creative Music Production at Foundation Degree. My experience as a musician is expansive - I have worked as a part of a group and individually to produce original works and covers from start to finish, including recording and mixing, such as my debut EP, 'Lesson One'.
My capabilities as a musician extend beyond production to performance. I have been a memeber of numerous orchestras and brass ensembles in which I have played tuba to perform in local competitions and concerts for paying audiences. I have also performed as a guitarist in different bands and as a session musician for paying audiences, in instances where I have created production documents and sound design in preparation.
My EP 'Lesson One' showcases my skills in production. It features three mastered tracks of different styles:
Sapphire - which draws influence from post-punk and new wave groups like The Cure and Depeche Mode
Spirit (Instrumental) - with an EDM style featuring electronic instruments inspired by New Order
Silver - a more ambient, ethereal track inspired by Cocteau Twins
TIDAL - Apple Music - Spotify
This EP demonstrates my ability to write lyrics and compose songs with melodies in counterpoint. Instruments performed in this EP are vocals, electric guitar, layered and programmed drumkit hits and MIDI instruments. Production techniques applied in the creation of this EP include but are not limited to double tracking, splicing/comping, layering, pitch correction (in certain parts), waveform adjustments and layering of MIDI instruments, ADSR envelope shaping, tempo and time signature changes, volume balancing, panning, aux sends, buses, pre and post equalisation, automation, reverb, delay, modulation such as chorus and dynamics processing such as compression, gating, limiting, dynamic equalisation/de-essing and parallel and sidechain compression. Finally, these tracks were mastered using digital effects and analogue gear for loudness, broad equalisation, stereo widening, compression and limiting.
I performed as a guitarist in a band in the SRC End of Year Showcase 2025. In this fully-fledged production, I worked in the group to write two original songs and play two covers, rehearse, create production documents such as stage plans and tech lists, design visuals, create sound design to introduce the set and fill intervals, and perform in front of a paid live audience.
I also performed as a guitarist and keyboardist in the SRC End of Year Showcase 2026. This was similar to the above, however, participation in this event was not garunteed and run time was limited, so it required a successful audition.
I performed in the SRC Panto in 2025 as a session musician playing electric guitar, participating in rehearsals and performing to paying audiences.
I have played electric guitar for five years, for two years (2021-2023) of which I took lessons at Lisburn Music Centre. By the end of my lessons, I was working on Grade 4 Rockschool pieces.
I achieved a merit for an ABRSM practical Grade 5 exam for Tuba in 2019.
I have played keyboard in my free time and can play to a standard for performance (at the SRC End of Year Showcase 2026).
I have used MIDI programming on DAW software in the composition of original pieces, such as my EP 'Lesson One'.