York student celebrates chart success with debut single

Posted on 15 June 2021

A masters student at the University of York is riding high in the charts with his debut single.

James is studying for an MA in Music Education. Pic Credit: James Hargreaves

James Hargreaves’ Good To Be Back EP entered the physical singles chart at number seven — with stars including Coldplay, David Bowie and Liam Gallagher also featuring in the top 10.

Guitar teacher

James is studying for an MA in Music Education and has been a guitar teacher based in Richmond, North Yorkshire, since 1998.

As part of an online effort to try and bring back rock and roll music to the mainstream charts, James said he decided to launch the #takebackthecharts movement.

He started by releasing his first CD of original music to demonstrate how success can be achieved.

The four songs on the CD were mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London by Frank Arkwright, who has also mastered for stars including Oasis, Blur and Elton John. The project was crowdfunded by viewers and subscribers of his YouTube channel.

Public vote

The EP was named in a vote by viewers of James’ YouTube channel, who chose the name ‘Good To Be Back EP’.

The EP was released on Friday, May 28 and when the charts were released on June 4 it went straight in at number seven. It was released on Spotify on June 11.

James plans release another two EPs and then eventually an album.

He said: “Getting into the top 10 in the UK physical charts is a massive tick off the bucket list! But, fingers crossed, this is just the beginning, hopefully there is much more of the adventure to come.

“Following graduation from my MA course at York, I hope to continue to grow and build my new record company, Hargreaves Records, and also to show other people how to do the same thing I've done. It all boils down to the big dream of seeing British rock and roll music back in the charts, where it belongs.”