BBC Introducing... Mark James

"I'm not that bothered about the adulation or the cheering crowds."

Who are the Mark James band?

Solely me. I write, produce and finance all the demos and recordings, and play all the instruments.

I've been playing music live and in the studio for around 15 years - I always will.

What inspires you to make music?

For me, it's the creative outlet. I'm not that bothered about the adulation or the cheering crowds.

I like it when i do a gig and a couple of dudes say, "That was great", but I've got something to say, always have had. It may not be that important, but it's vital to me.

This is where X Factor goes wrong; they just want to be famous because they think it will solve all their financial and social problems, but after 18 months at the top, they may be back playing nightclubs to drunk geezers after being famous, being probably early 20's, no respect, no fame.

Man, that's gotta hurt .

Tell me about rock operas...

"I'm very interested in new things to do musically."

I've always been interested in the concept of rock opera, not in a glam way, but story and music twix on a stage.

In the same way film makers tug at your heart strings with a sad romantic montage with a ballad - it can bring a tear to anyone's eye.

What do you do when you're not making music?

I'm a full time musician, so I'm always getting work, or working on new songs, learning new stuff.

I'm an avid reader, very interested in new things to do musically.

What do you make of the music scene in Leicestershire and Rutland?

There are a lot of great little combo's out there. They all have the same problems; they all want to get signed, get numbers to their gigs. It couldn't be easier now, with iTunes and the internet.

If the Beatle had of had access to the internet it would of been quicker and less hard for them to make their name, probably less enjoyable, I don't know.

Who are your favourite local bands at the moment and why?

I don't really have a favourite but I recently saw a poster in Leicester town centre that said "Coy Girl Waits" - great name for an artist.

Where have you toured? Do you have any recordings out?

I'm always gigging its my job, never done an originals tour - would love to.

I have two mini EP's out that I sell at gigs and they're both on iTunes - they do okay.

Best gig so far?

Cheltenham Racecourse. I played after a Queen tribute band and got everybody singing. Thousands of people, massive corporate venue - very awe inspiring.

And worst?

"I still believe in myself, and have done for ages."

Worst gig is when nobody turns up - which does happen.

I like to try and play new venues. I played Bamboo bar in Leicester on a Sunday night, even set up my piano to do some softer material, and nobody came in all night.

It's soul destroying but people don't mean it, they've just got better things to do these days - it's not important.

If you could change one thing about Leicestershire what would it be?

Nothing really. Live music day and night in smoky cellars and cool music joints playing live 'til the early hours - ain't gonna happen.

People have got better things to do like be alone and play internet Bingo or watch old repeats of Little Britain.

What's been your most embarrassing music themed moment?

Nothing really springs to mind.

What's the best line you've ever written?

Recently I was revamping some old material; five songs all under three minutes long, all one word titles, and I wrote the line "and it feels so good but they've changed my name to Mud".

The song is about lust and sexual fantasy. I like the way we always say to another, "Your name is mud".

We never say it about ourselves, self awareness of being hated. So I called the whole five song CD, 'MUD'.

Who's your biggest fan?

Probably me - 'cos I still believe in myself, and have done for ages, but even my belief at times will wane.