British-born singer/songwriter James Maddock is renowned for his rousing live performances, deeply emotional music, and his innate ability to connect with audiences everywhere. 

For Maddock, his passion for music began at a very young age, under the wing of his grandfather, a semi-professional ukulele player. Learning to play the instrument himself, Maddock soon understood the greater musical possibilities open to him.   

“There was a guitar around the house,” says Maddock. “And as I got older, I realized that I could play the guitar, just by being able to play the ukulele. It was like a little step, so that was a big moment for me.”  

While in school, Maddock further explored his musical talents, honing his craft and eventually making a living as a musician.  

“I started to play guitar more seriously, and just really fell in love with making music with people,” says Maddock. “It really thrilled me to do it.” 

But it wasn’t until his demo tape reached the hands of Senior VP of A&R at Columbia Records, Mitchell Cohen, that Maddock really broke out onto the scene. He was then signed to the label, which eventually led to his permanent move from London to New York. 

“When I left England, it was very much in the throes of Britpop, which was all bands, Oasis kind of bands, that whole thing,” says Maddock. “And I really did not feel an affinity with that at all. The New Musical Express, it was all about the Britpop bands, and I was more of a singer/songwriter type person.”

Maddock drew early inspiration from across the board, being drawn to revered singer/songwriters like Bruce Springsteen, Dan Crary, Paul Brady, and Van Morrison, to name a few. More than anything, it was perhaps that original, West Coast sound of artists like Jackson Browne and the Eagles that struck a heavy chord with Maddock. 

“I grew up listening to The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones, and the English music, if you filtered through an American sensibility,” says Maddock. “Because obviously The Beatles and all those bands were hugely influenced by Motown, and the blues, and by American music.”

When it comes to his own creative process, Maddock feels songwriting is more of a perpetual question than a solid answer—and one that typically comes when you least expect it. 

“My process is that there’s a mystery to songwriting,” explains Maddock. “Every time you try, there’s something to just doing the thing. You don’t know what you can come up with if you keep pressing, and you keep trying.” He continued, “It’s like a constant challenge to the intellect, and to the spirit, and to the soul, and to the muse. And so it’s a deep mystery.”  

Over the years, Maddock’s songwriting has brought him continuous critical acclaim, including the New York Music Award for Best Americana Album, for his well-beloved record, Sunrise on Avenue C.  

More recently, Maddock released two new singles, titled “Wish You Were Here” and “Take My Side.” Fortunately, fans can expect more music very soon, with Maddock’s new record, Forever June, coming out sometime this year. 

Speaking on the album, Maddock expresses great admiration for his fellow musicians who played on the record, including famed bassist Byron House, Aaron Comess of the Spin Doctors on drums, longtime friend James Hallawell on keys, and New Jersey-based producer Steve Greenwell. 

“He’s a brilliant producer, I really love Steve Greenwell,” says Maddock. “He was a big part of the sound of this record. He’s an extremely conscientious producer, really works on the details of the recording process.”

Between autobiographical songs and even a track about Bradley Beach, NJ, a place Maddock now calls home, the album is something he is excited to share with listeners.   

“I’m really happy with it. I think it’s a beautiful record,” says Maddock. “I can’t wait to get it out there and see what people think.” 

Aside from his individual success, Maddock is also known for his dynamic, musical partnership with multi-instrumentalist and member of Counting Crows, David Immerglück. Their acoustic duo, Jimmy & Immy, originally came together in New York after a mutual friend encouraged Immerglück to go and see Maddock perform. 

The pair have since continued to play together, even releasing an album in 2013, titled Jimmy & Immy Live at Rockwood Music Hall. 

“He’s such a fine musician. He speaks the musical language that I speak, and it’s just a good sound together,” says Maddock. “We have a lot of things in common, musically. Guitar wise, we have the same kind of taste and priorities. And we’ve been playing together for a long time, and so it’s like riding a bike. We’re just good friends, and then we play together.”

Maddock also made a recent guest appearance this fall on the Counting Crows European tour, to the happy surprise of Jimmy & Immy fans everywhere. But Maddock’s journey doesn’t stop there. He will be returning to Europe for his own lineup of shows this coming summer. 

Along with all of his upcoming performances, Maddock recently appeared as a featured artist at RiverJAM Music’s Listening Room: Songs & Stories event, expressing sincere gratitude for this new musical community. 

“I just thought, ‘Wow, what a great group of people,’” exclaims Maddock. “There’s such a lot of beautiful music being made by super-talented people in this community. And I’m really honored and thrilled to be a small part of it.”

But beyond the meaning of the music, Maddock’s bigger takeaway has to do with the people who choose to listen—which is no mystery at all. 

“I do think that there’s something special about this part of the world,” says Maddock. “The people come out to support the music, they really do. And I think that’s such a great thing. It’s not easy to overlook that.” 

Maddock concluded, “And the fact that Asbury Park, and Bradley [Beach], and all these places around here are populated by people who love music, and value it, and come out and support the artists is really massive. And that’s really the lifeblood of any endeavor. Without the people, there’s nothing.”  

Photos courtesy of James Maddock / Interviewed on January 29, 2026