James Parm hails from the suburbs of Montreal, CA, and has been active in the local music scene ever since his first band began playing shows across the city when he was a teen, melding his childhood influences of 90’s garage rock with his love of jazz and hip hop.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

A: James Parm is the main force behind James Parm, I sort of feature musicians who I appreciate around me for certain parts and songs.

For starters, what bands were you a part of prior to James Parm How long has the band been around?

A: Matty Parker

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

A: My parents gave me the name James Parm when I was born

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

A: I (James Parm) write the music and the subject matter tends to be overly dramatic. I kind of wish I could write songs about mundanity or trivialities but the songs tend to come out when I have something personal to express. Recently I tried writing about a particular subject. On my track 1M I was thinking about what it would be like to work in a Nike factory in Cambodia or somewhere. I was thinking about slavery. I wanted recently to build an album about slavery in a variety of contexts…. but I don’t want to sound preachy or like I am such a good person for caring about those people so it’s tricky.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

For my recently release (Oh My Darling), I was inspired big time by Mount Kimble, though I’m not sure how much that shows. Recently I’ve been inspired by Mac Demarco (again), particularly his musicianship, he has a great feel and he uses simple elements very effectively… I tend to overdo things and I want to see if that’s really necessary for my music.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

I’m not a band I’m a human, I played in a lot of bands before being a human and the inspiration was childhood favorites like Radiohead and Nirvana and Mars Volta.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …

I do some last minute vocal exercises in hopes that they will suddenly kick in and

I will finally be able to fkn sing well

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

The highlights are when I am recording alone in my room and I suddenly feel very good and at peace with the world.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

I’d like to tour with ppl like Andy Shauf, Mitksi, but I have to become great first or at least good in the eyes of 16 year olds.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I’d like to go outside and stare at the trees for a while, I think if I try enough I can build relationships with trees. I don’t work today. How do you like writing for a music blog? You don’t have to answer that.