Shayfer James is a Rock/Folk Noir singer-songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist. He just released a new single, "New York Doesn't Remind Me", and we spoke to him about it!

You just released a new single, "New York Doesn't Remind Me". How would you briefly describe the track?

It's a deeply personal memory map of landmark relationship.

You mention that the places described in the song are all tied to memories of your own relationship and heartbreak in NYC. Did you ever hesitate about referencing these specific, personal memories? Was the experience cathartic for you?

I think it was important to me that I referenced them specifically. I've spent a lot of time as a writer shrouding my points in myth and metaphor. This felt like a cathartic turning point in the way that it is so naturally raw and honest and from my gut.

You worked with photographer Samantha Tenbroek Mellina, to shoot a series of photos paired with the song. How did that collaboration come about?
I follow Samantha on Instagram and I love the film photography she posts. It feels magic but also very real. It speaks to me in relation to this song, so I messaged her and asked her if she'd like to do this crazy thing with me and she thankfully said yes. :)

She used 35mm film and an old Canon camera - the photography is pretty stunning for being done on film! Did they exceed your expectations?

I mean based on the photos of hers I'd already seen, I knew the photos would be wonderful but she captured things in ways I couldn't have predicted. Samantha has incredible insight. So yes, the photos exceeded my expectations but the bar was already incredibly high.

The single follows your EP Hope And A Hand Grenade released earlier this year (which we premiered). How has the response been for that?
The response has been really quite wonderful and I think it's made my music accessible to a lot of new folks.

What's next for 2019 (shows, hints of further material, focusing on specific goals)?

I've got at least 30 songs in the can that I'd like to record, so it's really about the story I want to tell next in terms of an album/EP. I'm thinking about that now, but in the meantime I'm going to keep releasing single songs as frequently as I can. I'm about to do a few gigs in LA and on October 19 I've got a show at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2, which I consider my east coast home base at this point because it always sounds good in the room and has a magnificent vibe. Details for all can be found on my website!

What has been the biggest highlight of your musical career so far?

A musical I co-wrote with Kate Douglas called "The Ninth Hour" premiered on June 28 at The Met Cloisters, and that was a truly a highlight for me. I feel like we did something really special with that creative team and it is going to open a lot of doors for us.