Today we’d like to introduce you to James Branton.
James , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been involved in music in some capacity. Either helping others get shows or connected with other musicians. I grew up singing and playing music in church and then as I got older, I got away from it. Around 2017, I decided to really just passionately pursue music. I had been in bands before but they never really felt like home. I started Ashes to Omens that year and harshly enough was also diagnosed with thyroid cancer that year as well. I was introduced to Casey Lee and Christopher Blake early on and we were off to the races. Those guys really supported me through my journey with cancer and fortunately it was easily handled with surgery. At the time though, as someone who battles anxiety and depression the cancer took a huge toll on me mentally. If it wasn’t for them, I’m not sure where I’d be. We all kind of agreed early on that music was our passion and what we wanted to do with our lives, just get our message out there and know that people are going to us genuinely and honestly and see where it takes us. Over the next 7 years, we would put out a few singles, make a few EP’s, go on tours and go through huge lineup changes, but ultimately we just wanted to stay the course no matter what happened. Last year we finally had an opportunity to work with a producer and go into a fresh direction and since then so many doors have opened for us. We are so incredibly greatful for the people and fans that have come into our lives telling us how our music moves them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Ashes to Omens has been a long, arduous and rocky journey. We’ve struggled immensely with mental health crisis, setbacks, loss of members day before shows, loss of members days before tours, aggressive and selfish egos, being broke down on tour, you name it, I feel like we’ve had it happen. It has been really, really tough.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We are an active rock / modern rock-alt metal band from Athens, GA. We are known for our inclusive and active concerts, music that touches on self reflection and growth and ultimately building each other up. Of everything that we have done, I I think we are most proud of our fans. Our fans are literally our lifes blood. We constantly talk at rehearsal about what we can do for the fans, how would the fans react to this, how can we reach more of our fans. So we are proud of the support that our fans have given us throughout this journey and sticking by us. We think that what sets us apart from other bands and musicians in the area is that we are always willing to self reflect and listen to what others are saying. We want to reach more people and help others in the process and you can’t really grow unless you listen.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
We LOVE Atlanta. Everything about this city just ‘breathes’, if that makes sense. There’s always an amazing dive just right around the corner that plays everything from pop punk to grunge, to thrash metal and if that’s not your vibe then you can easily find a blues club or a musician somewhere on the corner that has the best vibes. I have to be cliche here and say it has to be the traffic! I’ve never understood all the rubber necking that happens or people that like to drive 50 in the left hand lane!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ashestoomens.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashestoomens/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashestoomensofficial/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ashestoomens
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4kGDbRtuoaWoMgZkr1v8bw
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ashestoomens
Image Credits
Kat Wood Photography
JoRen Photography
