James Cottriall

As an Award winning singer, songwriter, guitarist who has been a part of the live Music Scene in LA since the early 2000's, and now the Host of Music Mondays Open Mic, I am here to tell you that the Music Scene in Los Angeles is still Alive & Kicking! Things may have changed over the years, but passionate artists have adapted to the times, continuing to create & share their music, while daring to dream & living it. …... - The Examiner

Midland student James Cottriall wanted to make a bit of extra cash during a gap year so he started busking in Vienna – and ended up winning Austria’s version of TV talent show The Voice.

Now the 29-year-old singer-songwriter from Stratford-upon-Avon, who is already a star on the continent, is set to release his debut UK single, and is planning an album to follow.

Single Unbreakable, due out on March 16, is expected to be James’ big breakthrough in his homeland, and he is currently touring the length and breadth of the country to promote it.

“It took me all the strength I had in me not to shout it from the rooftops at the top of my lungs – but now I can!” he says.

“My debut single is coming out in the UK at last, and I’ll be singing it wherever anyone will let me.

“If you like the song, and want to hear it when you’re in the car, on the way to school, at work or hanging at a friend’s house, let the radio stations know!”

The former Stratford schoolkid had always dreamed of being a singer but put a pop career on hold while he continued his studies.

A fluent German speaker, he started writing music and playing guitar at the age of 12, went to Shakespeare’s school, and even played in front of the Prince of Wales when he visited the young musician’s class.

He won a scholarship at RADA, but decided instead to study languages at Nottingham University.


VIEW GALLERY James Cottriall singing in Vienna
“Part of my studies demanded I spend a gap year abroad,” he says. I decided to put my musical talents to good use to fund my time overseas. I’d sing in cafés and bars around Vienna, playing a combination of cover versions and my own, newly-composed songs.

“I also began busking and, one day, spotted a poster in a shopping mall for the Austrian version of The Voice.

“I decided to enter and I won the flipping thing. It was an amazing opportunity.”

The talent show triumph not only raised James’s profile, but also gave him the opportunity to record Unbreakable with top European producer Alexander Kahr. It went to No 1 in the Austrian ‘Most Requested Chart’.

The hit spent more than six months in the national Top 40 and was nominated as Song Of The Year at the 2010 Amadeus Awards.

James is still a big star in Austria. He has spent over 110 weeks in the Austrian Top 40 with nine singles and two Top 40 albums. His songs have also been used as the soundtrack to various TV and cinema ads for designer clothing manufacturers.

His songs gained a wider audience in 2011 when he supported Bryan Adams and, two years ago, toured with heart-throb Justin Bieber.

His newfound fame also earned him a place on Austrian TV series Dancing Stars, the country’s version of Strictly Come Dancing.

“Bryan Adams was the greatest honour for me, as I’ve always been a big fan,” says James. “He stood at the side of the stage for most of my performance. Obviously, I tried to play just that little bit better for him.”

He is now in the middle of a UK tour, performing stripped-back acoustic versions of his songs and is eyeing success in his homeland without the need for telly talent show exposure. - Birmingham Mail (UK)

Exclusive Video: Watch James Cottriall Perform At MIDEM's Fringe Lounge - Billboard