Swiss singer-songwriter James Gruntz creates music that strikes a balance between intimacy and grandeur, blending soulful vocals with playful, intricately crafted production. With a rich discography behind him and a busy touring schedule ahead, we sat down with James to chat about life on the road, his creative process, and why following your instincts might just be the smartest move you can make.
You’ve been touring quite a bit lately. How do you get ready for a live show?
I try not to think about the performance too much beforehand. To be present on stage, I find it’s better to stay focused on the moment rather than anticipating what’s next. Being well-prepared and having everything set up smoothly lets me switch off the mental chatter and flow—listening, reacting to the audience, and enjoying the music as it happens.
Your latest album, Blink Twice, has a distinctive visual style. How do you make sure the artwork reflects your music and personality?
I work on the visual side myself! My band and I run something we jokingly call a label, Rare Alpine, which helps us split the responsibilities of putting out music. My role is to design the artwork. If you check out Loophole or Uto Paradise, you’ll see some of my earlier work. So when it came to Blink Twice, it felt natural to take full creative control. I even hand-drew all the lettering and those blinking eyelashes you see—it’s a very personal touch.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you? With kids in the picture, sleeping in is a thing of the past, so my days usually start early. I’ve grown to enjoy it. After breakfast, I head down to my studio, which is just two floors below our home. I begin by sitting at the piano and simply playing around, searching for melodies and tapping into whatever musical energy I have that day. It’s like a kind of musical meditation. From there, I dive into whatever’s on the agenda—refining song structures, writing lyrics, recording instruments, and lots of editing.
Any words of wisdom for independent artists starting? Learn to recognise what feels genuine to you—and trust that feeling. Follow your instincts. Experiment, try out different approaches and versions. Don’t aim for perfection—create. And make sure you enjoy the process. Maybe not every single moment, but definitely more often than not.
