Buzzin Music

James Owen Fender releases his debut single The Cloud on October 6th, the end result of an incredible bitter sweet flirtation with the music industry.

Back in 2007 Fender e-mailed a demo to Atlantic Records and within minutes was invited for talks with their head of A&R. Three days later and Radio 1’s Steve Lamacq was playing the tracks referring to the artist as ‘one to watch’ in 2008.

The next few months were a bit of a blur for Fender, but the upshot was that he was signed to Island Records, who asked him to hand pick his own producer.

Fender chose Jerry Finn who had produced breakthrough singles for Rancid, Bad Religion and Morrissey – but his luck was about to run out.

Having enjoyed the thrill of arriving in East Hollywood to find Beck working in the mixing suite next door, Fender laid down some tracks before returning to Leeds for a short break. While he was away he learned that Jerry Finn had passed away at the tender age of 39 years old.

Unsure of the future of the album, Fender took to the road touring with Cold War Kids, The Elephant and Manchester Orchestra. During this time the president of Island Records who had signed Fender, left to join EMI. Fender returned home to Leeds once again to contemplate his future.

In August 2009 Fender set up a free entry club night in Leeds called Plumpton Presents, to showcase local talent and off the back of the success of the club night he set up his own record label.

Distributed by Warner Bros, Plumpton Presents Records released a limited edition compilation EP featuring some of the club night artists and the second release will be Fender’s The Cloud.

Hear what all the fuss is about on this promo video,

James Owen Fender – The Cloud

For further information including live dates, visit the James Owen Fender MySpace.