We had a gin & tonic in a flowerbed with Birmingham-born rap star James Indigo.
It’s a crisp dusky September evening and we’re in a flowerbed in Regents Park with Birmingham-born songwriter James Indigo.
He’s wearing a PVC red riding hood cloak, sipping a Tesco can of gin and tonic as the camera flashes and foxes yelp in the bushes. It is, as the kids say, a mood.
James has had a great year. Momentum’s gathering around his edgy brand of fashion-focused rap, particularly debut single CXNTOUR, recently featured on platforms like Gay Times and Billboard.
As the sun sets and the g&ts flow, we chat to James about Madonna, modeling and growing up as a young queer kid in Birmingham.
Tell me a bit about what you do.
I’ve been doing music since I was sixteen years old. I started out playing the piano and writing my own music. I also went to music school. Then I stopped doing music because I was doing modeling, so that was paying the bills. Then I went travelling for a bit – then just over a year ago I suddenly decided “right, music is what I want to do.” So I started writing again, and started working on my music video “CXNTOUR”.
What was modeling like?
It wasn’t for me. I liked it because it’s quite creative – but also you’re not in control of the creativity. It’s someone else doing it to you. So for that reason it wasn’t for me. I like to be in control, especially when it comes to art.
So you’re about to move down to London from Birmingham…how do you think queer life in the two cities compares?
London’s bigger – there are more places. In Birmingham the queer scene is only a little small strip. Just three or four bars, and they’re only busy on Friday and Saturday. In London it’s all week.
Talk me through this look you’re sporting.
When I was thinking of the way I could perform, I was trying to think of a theme. I can’t just go on stage with a microphone and start singing. I need something I can work off of. Little Red Riding Hood was always one of my favourite fairytales as a kid, and growing up I always felt like Little Red Riding Hood – running through the forest, trying to get to your destination. And you come across individuals that try and bring you down – especially being gay or queer. These wolves trying to bring you down. As queer people we get called names, people try to bring us down. But it’s not how you fall, it’s how you get back up.
What was it like for you growing up? Were there a lot of wolves?
It was difficult. Single mother, father not there. I came out as gay when I was nineteen years old. I think I always knew. Some people just know and for others it creeps up on them. But to me, I just went through life without labeling anything. I thought girls were cute and guys were hot. I never really thought it was a thing. But then I got a bit older and thought “oh shit, ok, I’m into men.” I haven’t looked back since.
What were those years like just after you came out?
Well, before I came out I was bullied for being gay. So people knew before I even knew.
Kids always know.
Oh of course. Especially when you hang around with the girls! Yeah, bullied all the way through school. But I explored my sexuality, and explored nightlife. I always went to straight bars, so when I went to my first gay bar and saw drag queens and guys doing splits on the floor I was like “Oh my god!”
You seem to have really strong visual ideas about your work. Where does that come from?
I wouldn’t say it comes from anywhere. As an artist, when I write music, I visualize the performance and I visualize the video. I’m inspired by people like Madonna. She’s always in the back of my head. It’s that confidence and expressing who you are. So it’s not me thinking I want to recreate a Madonna look, I more just want to capture that confidence. If she wants to do something, she just DOES it.
Who else do you love?
Madonna’s the main one. But I drift towards females in general. That gay thing, powerful females. Princess Diana! I don’t know what it is, but I’m drawn to her. I’m drawn to her philanthropy and her confidence, and the fact that she was always just herself.
Did you idolize your mum when you were little?
I used to follow her around the house! I was so inspired by her. My earliest memories are painting her nails and doing her hair…and trying on her heels!
What do you think of mainstream music at the moment?
I’m actually quite enjoying it. I feel like artists are exploring themselves. People are being a little bit more experimental. That’s what I’m trying to do with my music – just doing me, without thinking about stats or critiques. I’m just doing it for me. That’s what it should be all about.
James is performing CXNTOUR at Hard Cock Life on October 25th. Follow him on Instagram @JamesIndigo
