Fergus James Lupton (born 1999 or 2000), who performs as Fergus James is an Australian singer-songwriter-guitarist. He is known for his singles "Golden Age" and "What Are We Waiting For" as well as opening for Ed Sheeran on his ÷ Tour in 2018. "Golden Age" reached No. 12 on ARIA's Hitseekers Singles and No. 19 on Australian Artists Streaming charts. In late 2019 he played on the main stage at Splendour in the Grass.
Fergus James | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Fergus James Lupton |
| Born | May 30 1999-2000 (age 24-25) Armidale, New South Wales, Australia |
| Origin | Sydney, Australia |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Labels | Mushroom Group/100s + 1000s |
| Website | fergusjamesmusic |
Biography
editFergus James Lupton,[1] born in 1999 or 2000 in Armidale,[2] attended the local high school until he transferred to Newtown High School of the Performing Arts in 2016.[3][4] In November of that year he was encouraged by Justin Timberlake to consider a music career.[3][4][5] Timberlake had commented, "Your voice is really special. I'd put that on the radio now."[6]
James' debut single, "Golden Age", was issued in early 2018, which received support from national youth radio Triple J.[4][7] "Golden Age" is co-written by the artist with Mark Lizotte (p.k.a. Diesel) and Joel Quartermain (of Eskimo Joe).[1] It peaked at No. 12 on ARIA Hitseekers Singles chart and No. 19 on related Australian Artists Streaming charts.[7]
In March 2018 James supported Ed Sheeran on the Australia leg of the latter's ÷ Tour.[2][8] James issued his debut extended play, All of the Colours, in November 2019.[9] Its lead single, "What Are We Waiting For", appeared in late 2018.[2] It was produced by Philip "Pip" Norman (ex-TZU), who co-wrote it with James and Michael Bywaters.[2] The EP provided four more singles, all released in 2019. In March of that year the singer undertook his first headlining tour including dates in Armidale, Sydney and Melbourne.[10] After winning a Triple J Unearthed competition,[11] James performed on the main stage at Splendour in the Grass later that year.[12]
The artist signed with Mushroom Group's label 100s + 1000s, which released his non-album single, "Good Man", in May 2020.[9] It was co-written with its producer Frequency (as Bryan Fryzel) and Nat Dunn.[9] He covered Benee's 2018 single "Soaked" for Triple J's Like a Version Volume Sixteen, (2020).[13][14] Music Feeds' Laura English described it as "absolutely insane" as he "twists it into an indie-rock" rendition.[14] A Slow Separation (2021), the singer-songwriter's second EP provided six singles.[15] "Trouble" (2022) from the EP is described as "synth-inflected pop-rock" by Beat Magazine's writer.[11]
Discography
editExtended plays
edit- All of the Colours (November 2019)[9]
- A Slow Separation (2021)
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Golden Age"[10] | 2018 | Non-album single |
| "What Are We Waiting For"[2] | All of the Colours | |
| "Back to Life" | 2019 | |
| "Mistakes" | ||
| "Old Stars" | ||
| "Alive" | ||
| "Good Man"[9] | 2020 | Non-album single |
| "Soaked"[13] | Like a Version Volume Sixteen | |
| "Backseat"[16] | 2021 | A Slow Separation[15] |
| "Slow Separation" | ||
| "Fall Short" | ||
| "Saving Grace" | ||
| "Better This Time" | 2022 | |
| "Trouble"[17] | ||
| "Waking up with You" | 2023 | Let It Go |
| "Let It Go"[18] |
References
edit- ^ a b "Song Catalogue Search Results for 'Golden Age'". APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association, Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society). Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e staff writers (4 February 2019). "SOTD: Fergus James Is Primed & Ready with 'What Are We Waiting For'". The Music Network. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b Bedford, Matt (19 December 2016). "Fergus gets Justified". Armidale Express. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ a b c Wilson, Rich. "Fergus James Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Moran, Rob (9 December 2016). "Justin Timberlake Hosted a 'Surprise Masterclass' for Music Students at Newtown". Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Molloy, David (9 December 2016). "Justin Timberlake Schooled Newtown High School of the Performing Arts In Surprise Masterclass". Brag Magazine. Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ a b Wallace, Ian (30 April 2018). "Week Commencing ~ 30th April 2018 ~ Issue #1470" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. pp. 16, 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ Millet, Carolyn (27 February 2018). "Armidale boy Fergus James to support Ed Sheeran on Australian tour". The Northern Daily Leader. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Young, David James (7 May 2020). "Fergus James Releases New Single 'Good Man'". NME Australia. Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ a b Liew, Isaac (24 March 2019). "Live Review: Fergus James Makes Melbourne Headline Debut as He Packs out The Workers Club". The AU Review. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Fergus James Is Playing a Pop-up Gig in Melbourne Tomorrow for the 'On The Road Again' Initiative". Beat Magazine. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Heriot, Maclay (13 March 2022). "Fergus James. The Star in His Own Film". 2SER. Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ a b Triple J (2020), Like a Version. 26, archived from the original on 7 February 2024, retrieved 7 February 2024
- ^ a b English, Laura (12 June 2020). "Watch Fergus James Take On BENEE's 'Soaked' for Like a Version". Music Feeds. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b "Interview: Fergus James". TAIT. 2022-03-17. Archived from the original on 2024-01-31. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
- ^ Gallagher, Alex (29 July 2021). "Fergus James shares new single 'Backseat' and announces October tour". NME Australia. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ Robinson, Ellie (28 January 2022). "Fergus James shares stirring new single 'Trouble', details second EP and Australian tour". NME Australia. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ Hutton, Jess (12 November 2023). "Track: Australia's Pop Sensation Fergus James Releases Coming-Of-Age Anthem 'Let It Go'". Backseat Mafia. Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.