Band on the Rise

The current incarnation of Building James was derived from a sense of urgency. Not, ‘I just impregnated my girlfriend’ urgency, though. Or even, ‘I have to go to the restroom’ urgency. No, this was urgency on a whole other level.

It was the urgency born of a sense of destiny.

The destiny to create catchy tunes that adhere to your brain like extra strength crazy glue. But it wasn’t always that way.

Born, raised, and still living near the same working class area of Manchester, New Hampshire, Buckner takes a bewildered approach towards the history of how Building James came to be.

“The story of Ben and I began back in the fall of 1991, when the band "inferno" was born. Ben and I had never met, but we both knew this kid Jaime Bourque, and Jaime asked me if I'd be interested in joining his band,” recalls guitarist and vocalist Daniel Buckner.

With a soft, conversational tone, Buckner recounts these early days with an equal sense of embarrassment and pride, recognizing that his social skills have grown in equal measure to his musical ones.

“The first time I got the courage up to speak to Ben he comes over and we delved into one of those awkward conversations between two people who really don't have a whole lot to say. I think I said something like "Aren't you the guy that is playing in that band with Jaime Bourque? I think we're going to be playing together." And Ben probably said something like "Yeah, I heard that.”

Now, watching the duo rehearse so playfully, that sense of awkwardness seems as distant a memory as the music that initially bound and divided them back in those early years.

“At this time in history, Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' was reining the airwaves. And I REALLY didn't like the song, probably mostly because MY BROTHER did. I saw the CD that Ben had, and in my head I'm thinking "Ugh. This dork is following the herd. Whatever." In a totally uncharacteristic move for me (at the time), I kept my mouth shut. It's probably the only reason we're friends today. I also openly admit how wrong I was. That album kicks ass,” admits Buckner.

Relationships have always remained at the core, providing the strength that separates band that forever light up the night sky, like U2, from the shooting stars that have burnt up like the Eagles. That’s why; both Dan and Ben believe that, while the music from those early days may have long since fallen away, the foundation for all the music that is to come was built all those years ago.

“It wasn't until we changed our practice location to a rented space in Bow, NH that Ben and I truly became friends. Because of the move, I began riding out to practice with Ben. I can remember the uncomfortable first ride, and the sparse conversation. And then we found out that we were both born with a nearly identical sense of humor. From that point on, I don't think there have more than a handful of serious conversations between us.”

Inferno never really caught fire, despite everyone’s hard work the hard work. Unfortunately, their next band, The Flytones, suffered the same ill fate. But both experiences, as well as the life experiences that they have shared in that time, have only strengthened the resolve that both men have in the construction of their new band, Building James.

“We've been through bands, babies, break-ups and marriages. And we are always there for one another. Our friendship transcends any band we may be playing in, and to be entirely honest, our friendship is probably a contributing factor to why the Flytones broke up.”

Conveying that very sense of honesty that drives his lyrics, Buckner admits that the unity that makes Building James so unique, may in fact have been a destructive force in previous times.

“Ben and I can be VERY difficult to be around because we form our own circle. It was probably very uncomfortable for Aaron, and it wouldn't surprise me if he felt somewhat the third wheel in the band where he was the leader. Not that we didn't LOVE Aaron, because we did. He was absolutely one of my best friends, and I knew him longer than I had known Ben. But Ben is my best friend, and I am his. That certainly lends itself to someone feeling like the odd man out.”

Currently, Building James is putting the finishing touches on it’s new EP, as well as awaiting the final edit for the video for it’s first single, Kate’s Apartment. And while juggling familial and career responsibilities has deterred many artists, Ben and Dan refuse to give up on what they both see as a shared fate.

“We joke about how this current incarnation of our work was inspired by divine intervention, but the truth is that, musically and personally speaking, Ben and I have an intertwined destiny. Now it’s up to us to figure out what that means.”

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