i.am.james. – PRESHOW RITUALS

In this Preshow Rituals segment, the indie pop artist, i.am.james., reveals what she does before taking the stage. You can check out the rituals, after the break.

I am totally a creature of habit when it comes to performance; once I find something that works for me, I continue to include it in my routine. My favorite shows are typically those that I play with my bandmates, rather than solo. Before a show, I like to do some “light rehearsing,” nothing hardcore, but maybe 20 minutes or so of going over some parts that we need to be fresh in our brains. I also try my best to be as hydrated as possible to promote healthier singing (I normally like to play the game of seeing how dehydrated I can possibly get, but show days are different). I love to have a handwritten setlist. There’s something ritualistic about writing down your set of songs and building arcs of moods/energy.

I’m a big believer in “dancing it out.” It’s a good way to let go of any extra stress I’ve carried in preparation for a big show and to get in the mood for a fun night with my bandmates. I also love a good sing-a-long/vocal warm-up in the car on the way to the gig. Once at the venue, I think that the perfect show drink is a bloody mary, no matter what time it is. A little spicy, hard to drink too fast, and always so damn good.

Keep up with her on Facebook and Instagram.