Hi, I’m James — a keyboardist/pianist and sax player with a love for synths, and experience recording everything from pop, soul and jazz to ambient and experimental.
I’ve gigged and recorded with a wide range of artists including New Order, A Certain Ratio, and BC Camplight, performing across the UK and Europe. Graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music, I’ve worked as a full-time musician ever since — offering recording, writing, mixing, and production services for artists and freelance film-makers
From professional studio sessions to DIY living room setups, I’ve spent the last decade refining my skills in part writing, improvisation, and sound manipulation across genres like pop, jazz, ambient, experimental, soul, and rock.
Whether you're looking for piano, keyboards, synths, drum machines, saxophone, mixing, production or just help shaping your track sonically, I’d love to collaborate. Can work remotely or in person in the Manchester area. Drop me a message — always happy to chat about your project free of charge before hand!
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
Credits
Languages
- English
Interview with James Davis
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I wrote the music for a freelance film maker in Belfast for a documentary called Maegden about a food truck. I wrote, recorded and mixed the track and it showcases what I do very well.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I’m working on releasing my own album of synth pop inspired tunes and working towards a tour with BC Camplight later in the year.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Rhys Jiang - amazing drummer and the perfect producer.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Analog probably because it always sounds “cooler” to me but digital is so much easier!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will help you achieve your vision for a song with patience and professionalism
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: No two tracks are the same. I get to do something new for every project I’m a part of.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: I’ve been asked what I think is best for the song, and my answer is different for every song! But I will usually have an answer
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Being a professional musician isn’t synonymous with songwriting. Some of the best songwriters tend not to be professional musicians.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What references do you have? Would you like me to write my parts or take your lead?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Don’t worry about where your project is right now - any starting point is perfect.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: I probably wouldn’t take any of my gear, just my partner and our cat. Maybe my DX7 and sax too…
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I’ve spent the last 8 years gigging across the UK and Europe, but recently have found my comfort and speciality in recording and mixing for people to help them get the best result out of their music.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: It’s difficult to describe because I work across a range of genres and don’t like to be tied to one style.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: LCD Soundsystem because they started my interest in songwriting and synth manipulation. I wouldn’t be the musician I am without them.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Don’t stray too far from what the song is supposed to be
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I’ve mostly worked on singer-songwriter style music by adding keyboard and electronic elements. But open to any genre
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Probably my part writing or synth manipulation
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring appropriate and effective textures to elevate a track, or mix it to fit references and styles
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Big cafetière of coffee, listen to some music, record tracks, go for a walk, re-record
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a home studio, with mixing speakers, microphones and many many keyboards/instruments
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Caribou, Sylvan Esso, LCD Soundsystem, Fred Again, Fourtet
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I have primarily recorded piano, saxophone and keyboards/synthesisers
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I wrote the music for a freelance film maker in Belfast for a documentary called Maegden about a food truck. I wrote, recorded and mixed the track and it showcases what I do very well.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I’m working on releasing my own album of synth pop inspired tunes and working towards a tour with BC Camplight later in the year.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Rhys Jiang - amazing drummer and the perfect producer.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Analog probably because it always sounds “cooler” to me but digital is so much easier!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will help you achieve your vision for a song with patience and professionalism
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: No two tracks are the same. I get to do something new for every project I’m a part of.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: I’ve been asked what I think is best for the song, and my answer is different for every song! But I will usually have an answer
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Being a professional musician isn’t synonymous with songwriting. Some of the best songwriters tend not to be professional musicians.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What references do you have? Would you like me to write my parts or take your lead?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Don’t worry about where your project is right now - any starting point is perfect.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: I probably wouldn’t take any of my gear, just my partner and our cat. Maybe my DX7 and sax too…
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I’ve spent the last 8 years gigging across the UK and Europe, but recently have found my comfort and speciality in recording and mixing for people to help them get the best result out of their music.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: It’s difficult to describe because I work across a range of genres and don’t like to be tied to one style.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: LCD Soundsystem because they started my interest in songwriting and synth manipulation. I wouldn’t be the musician I am without them.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Don’t stray too far from what the song is supposed to be
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I’ve mostly worked on singer-songwriter style music by adding keyboard and electronic elements. But open to any genre
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Probably my part writing or synth manipulation
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring appropriate and effective textures to elevate a track, or mix it to fit references and styles
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Big cafetière of coffee, listen to some music, record tracks, go for a walk, re-record
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a home studio, with mixing speakers, microphones and many many keyboards/instruments
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Caribou, Sylvan Esso, LCD Soundsystem, Fred Again, Fourtet
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I have primarily recorded piano, saxophone and keyboards/synthesisers
I was the Songwriter, Instrumentalist and Producer in this production
I am willing to do 2 revisions per track with a turnaround of 3-5 days. Additional revision for £25
- Caribou
- Sylvan Esso
- Mac DeMarco
- Nord Stage 2
- Evestaff Mini Royal Upright Piano
- Trevor James Alto Saxophone
- Behringer Deepmind 12
- Roland SH101
- Arturia Microbrute
- Organelle
- Yamaha DX7
- Harmonium
Happy to discuss deals for more than 2 tracks. Give me a message!
