{{Infobox musical artist | image = Fergus James Singing with Guitar.png | birth_name = Fergus James Lupton | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1999|05|30}} | birth_place = Armidale, New South Wales, Australia | origin = Sydney, Australia | genre = {{Hlist|Alternative rock|indie pop|pop rock}} | years_active = 2018–present | label = Mushroom Group/100s + 1000s | website = {{URL|fergusjamesmusic.com/}} }}
'''Fergus James Lupton''' (born 30 May 1999), who performs as '''Fergus James''' is an Australian singer-songwriter-guitarist. He is known for his singles "Golden Age" and "What Are We Waiting For" as well as opening for Ed Sheeran on his ÷ Tour in 2018. "Golden Age" reached No. 12 on ARIA's Hitseekers Singles and No. 19 on Australian Artists Streaming charts. In late 2019 he played on the main stage at Splendour in the Grass.
== Biography ==
Fergus James Lupton,<ref name="APRA Golden">{{cite web | publisher = APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association, Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) | title = Song Catalogue Search Results for 'Golden Age' | url = https://www.apraamcos.com.au/works-search?works=true&title=Golden%20Age&writer=Lupton&performer= | access-date = 7 February 2024 | archive-date = 6 February 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240206211520/https://www.apraamcos.com.au/works-search?works=true&title=Golden%20Age&writer=Lupton&performer= | url-status = live }}</ref> born in 1999 in Armidale,<ref name="The Music Network-2019" /> attended the local high school until he transferred to Newtown High School of the Performing Arts in 2016.<ref name="Bedford">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306072548/https://www.armidaleexpress.com.au/story/4366528/fergus-gets-justified/ |url=https://www.armidaleexpress.com.au/story/4366528/fergus-gets-justified/ |title=Fergus gets Justified |newspaper=Armidale Express |first=Matt |last=Bedford |date=19 December 2016 |access-date=7 February 2024 |archive-date=6 March 2018 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name="Wilson">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fergus-james-mn0003749214#discography |title=Fergus James Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More |publisher=AllMusic |first=Rich |last=Wilson |access-date=7 February 2024 |archive-date=6 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206215717/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fergus-james-mn0003749214#discography |url-status=live }}</ref> In November of that year he was encouraged by Justin Timberlake to consider a music career.<ref name="Bedford" /><ref name="Wilson" /><ref name="Moran">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209210934/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/justin-timberlake-hosted-a-surprise-masterclass-for-music-students-at-newtown-20161209-gt7i50.html |title=Justin Timberlake Hosted a 'Surprise Masterclass' for Music Students at Newtown |first=Rob |last=Moran |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/justin-timberlake-hosted-a-surprise-masterclass-for-music-students-at-newtown-20161209-gt7i50.html |date=9 December 2016 |access-date=7 February 2024 |archive-date=9 December 2016 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Timberlake had commented, "Your voice is really special. I'd put that on the radio now."<ref name="Molloy">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426040413/http://thebrag.com/justin-timberlake-schooled-newtown-high-school-performing-arts-surprise-masterclass |title=Justin Timberlake Schooled Newtown High School of the Performing Arts In Surprise Masterclass |website=Brag Magazine |first=David |last=Molloy |url=http://thebrag.com/justin-timberlake-schooled-newtown-high-school-performing-arts-surprise-masterclass |date=9 December 2016 |access-date=7 February 2024 |archive-date=26 April 2017 }}</ref>
James' debut single, "Golden Age", was issued in early 2018, which received support from national youth radio Triple J.<ref name="Wilson" /><ref name="ARIA Report 1470">{{cite web |last=Wallace |first=Ian |date=30 April 2018 |title=Week Commencing ~ 30th April 2018 ~ Issue #1470 |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue1470.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108000724mp_/https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20180501140002/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20180502-0000/Issue1470.pdf |archive-date=8 November 2019 |access-date=4 February 2024 |work=The ARIA Report |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |pages=16, 21 |issue=1470}}</ref> "Golden Age" is co-written by the artist with Mark Lizotte ({{abbr|p.k.a.|performer knwon as}} Diesel) and Joel Quartermain (of Eskimo Joe).<ref name="APRA Golden" /> It peaked at No. 12 on ARIA Hitseekers Singles chart and No. 19 on related Australian Artists Streaming charts.<ref name="ARIA Report 1470" />
In March 2018 James supported Ed Sheeran on the Australia leg of the latter's ÷ Tour.<ref name="The Music Network-2019" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Millet |first=Carolyn |date=27 February 2018 |title=Armidale boy Fergus James to support Ed Sheeran on Australian tour |url=https://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/5251489/armidale-boy-fergus-james-to-support-ed-sheeran-on-australian-tour/ |access-date=3 February 2024 |website=The Northern Daily Leader |archive-date=3 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203094559/https://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/5251489/armidale-boy-fergus-james-to-support-ed-sheeran-on-australian-tour/ |url-status=live }}</ref> James issued his debut extended play, ''All of the Colours'', in November 2019.<ref name="Young" /> Its lead single, "What Are We Waiting For", appeared in late 2018.<ref name="The Music Network-2019" /> It was produced by Philip "Pip" Norman (ex-TZU), who co-wrote it with James and Michael Bywaters.<ref name="The Music Network-2019" /> The EP provided four more singles, all released in 2019. In March of that year the singer undertook his first headlining tour including dates in Armidale, Sydney and Melbourne.<ref name="Liew-2019">{{Cite web |last=Liew |first=Isaac |date=24 March 2019 |title=Live Review: Fergus James Makes Melbourne Headline Debut as He Packs out The Workers Club |url=https://www.theaureview.com/music/live-review-fergus-james-makes-melbourne-headline-debut-as-he-packs-out-the-workers-club/ |access-date=3 February 2024 |website=The AU Review |archive-date=3 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203103208/https://www.theaureview.com/music/live-review-fergus-james-makes-melbourne-headline-debut-as-he-packs-out-the-workers-club/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After winning a Triple J Unearthed competition,<ref name="Beat Feb 2022" /> James performed on the main stage at Splendour in the Grass later that year.<ref name="Heriot-2022">{{Cite web |last=Heriot |first=Maclay |date=13 March 2022 |title=Fergus James. The Star in His Own Film. |url=https://2ser.com/fergus-james-the-star-in-his-own-film/ |access-date=3 February 2024 |website=2SER |archive-date=31 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131191118/https://2ser.com/fergus-james-the-star-in-his-own-film/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The artist signed with Mushroom Group's label 100s + 1000s, which released his non-album single, "Good Man", in May 2020.<ref name="Young" /> It was co-written with its producer Frequency (as Bryan Fryzel) and Nat Dunn.<ref name="Young" /> He covered Benee's 2018 single "Soaked" for Triple J's ''Like a Version Volume Sixteen'', (2020).<ref name="NLA LaV 26">{{Citation | author1=Triple J | title=Like a Version. 26 | date=2020 | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/8515380 | access-date=7 February 2024 | archive-date=7 February 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207042703/https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/8515380 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="English" /> ''Music Feeds''{{'}} Laura English described it as "absolutely insane" as he "twists it into an indie-rock" rendition.<ref name="English">{{cite web |url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/watch-fergus-james-take-on-benees-soaked-for-like-a-version/amp/index.html |title=Watch Fergus James Take On BENEE's 'Soaked' for ''Like a Version'' |first=Laura |last=English |website=Music Feeds |date=12 June 2020 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20211112130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/165327/20211113-0000/musicfeeds.com.au/news/watch-fergus-james-take-on-benees-soaked-for-like-a-version/amp/index.html |archive-date=12 November 2021 |access-date=7 February 2024 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''A Slow Separation'' (2021), the singer-songwriter's second EP provided six singles.<ref name="McGregor" /> "Trouble" (2022) from the EP is described as "synth-inflected pop-rock" by ''Beat Magazine''{{'}}s writer.<ref name="Beat Feb 2022">{{cite web |url=https://beat.com.au/fergus-james-is-playing-a-pop-up-gig-in-melbourne-tomorrow-for-the-on-the-road-again-initiative/ |title=Fergus James Is Playing a Pop-up Gig in Melbourne Tomorrow for the 'On The Road Again' Initiative |website=Beat Magazine |date=24 February 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20220303134121/https://beat.com.au/fergus-james-is-playing-a-pop-up-gig-in-melbourne-tomorrow-for-the-on-the-road-again-initiative/ |archive-date=3 March 2022 |access-date=8 February 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Discography== ===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+List of extended plays, with release date, label, and formats shown ! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="1"| EP details |- ! scope="row"| ''All of the Colours'' | * Released: November 2019<ref name="Young">{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/fergus-james-new-single-good-man-2661050/ |title=Fergus James releases new single "Good Man" |work=NME Australia |date=7 May 2020 |url-status=live |archive-date=6 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206223259/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/fergus-james-new-single-good-man-2661050/ |access-date=23 February 2026 |author=Young, David James}}</ref> * Label: * Formats: Digital download, streaming |- ! scope="row"| ''A Slow Separation'' | * Released: 2021 * Label: 100s + 1000s * Formats: Digital download, streaming |}
===Singles=== ===As lead artist=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+List of singles as lead artist, with year released and album details shown ! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Year ! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Album |- ! scope="row"| "Golden Age"<ref name="Liew-2019"/> | rowspan="2"| 2018 | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "What Are We Waiting For"<ref name="The Music Network-2019">{{cite web |url=http://themusicnetwork.com/sotd-fergus-james-is-primed-ready-with-what-are-we-waiting-for/index.html |title=SOTD: Fergus James is primed & ready with "What Are We Waiting For" |work=The Music Network |via=National Library of Australia |date=5 February 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20210308213611/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/141729/20210309-0000/themusicnetwork.com/sotd-fergus-james-is-primed-ready-with-what-are-we-waiting-for/index.html |archive-date=8 March 2021 |access-date=23 February 2026}}</ref> | rowspan="5"| ''All of the Colours'' |- ! scope="row"| "Back to Life" | rowspan="4"| 2019 |- ! scope="row"| "Mistakes" |- ! scope="row"| "Old Stars" |- ! scope="row"| "Alive" |- ! scope="row"| "Good Man"<ref name="Young"/> | rowspan="2"| 2020 | rowspan="2"{{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Soaked"<ref name="NLA LaV 26"/> |- ! scope="row"| "Backseat"<ref>{{cite web |date=29 July 2021 |title=Fergus James shares new single 'Backseat' and announces October tour |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/fergus-james-shares-new-single-backseat-and-announces-october-tour-3005924/ |work=NME Australia |url-status=live |archive-date=3 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203102041/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/fergus-james-shares-new-single-backseat-and-announces-october-tour-3005924/ |access-date=3 February 2024 |author=Gallagher, Alex}}</ref> | rowspan="4"| 2021 | rowspan="6"| ''A Slow Separation''<ref name="McGregor">{{cite web |url=https://www.taitmcgregor.com/write/2022/3/27/interview-fergus-james/ |title=Interview: Fergus James |publisher=Tait McGregor |date=27 March 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=31 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131185656/https://www.taitmcgregor.com/write/2022/3/27/interview-fergus-james/ |access-date=3 February 2024 |author=McGregor, Tait |author-link=Tait McGregor}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"|"Slow Separation" |- ! scope="row"| "Fall Short" |- ! scope="row"| "Saving Grace" |- ! scope="row"| "Better This Time" | rowspan="2"| 2022 |- ! scope="row"| "Trouble"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/fergus-james-shares-stirring-new-single-trouble-details-second-ep-and-australian-tour-3148645/ |title=Fergus James shares stirring new single "Trouble", details second EP and Australian tour |work=NME Australia |date=28 January 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=3 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203102447/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/fergus-james-shares-stirring-new-single-trouble-details-second-ep-and-australian-tour-3148645/ |access-date=3 February 2024 |author=Robinson, Ellie}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Waking up with You" | rowspan="2"| 2023 | rowspan="2"| ''Let It Go'' |- ! scope="row"| "Let It Go"<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.backseatmafia.com/track-australias-pop-sensation-fergus-james-releases-coming-of-age-anthem-let-it-go/ |title=Track: Australia's pop sensation Fergus James releases coming-of-age anthem "Let It Go" |work=Backseat Mafia |date=12 November 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=31 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131185613/https://www.backseatmafia.com/track-australias-pop-sensation-fergus-james-releases-coming-of-age-anthem-let-it-go/ |access-date=3 February 2024 |author=Hutton, Jess}}</ref> |}
==References==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{Official website|fergusjamesmusic.com}} * [https://www.taitmcgregor.com/write/2022/3/27/interview-fergus-james Tait McGregor | Fergus James Interview]
{{DEFAULTSORT:James, Fergus}} Category:Living people Category:Australian indie rock musicians Category:Australian indie pop musicians Category:Australian alternative rock musicians Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:1999 births