James Reid

James Charles Gallienne Reid (born 25 May 1974) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter, guitarist, and music and video producer, best known as the lead singer in the band The Feelers.

Reid is regarded as one of New Zealand's most successful songwriters and rock musicians, having formed The Feelers in 1992, which became one of the best selling New Zealand musical acts in the country. Reid has also collaborated as a writer with other New Zealand artists including Anika Moa, and was the founder of Broken Records, a former record label.

In November 2013, Reid released his first solo album, entitled Saint. Since then, he has released a number of singles and EPs, including "Back to the Beginning" (2018) and Too Close to the Sun (2020).

Early and personal life Reid was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 25 May 1974. He has two older sisters and two older brothers, including his brother Donald Reid who is also a musical artist. Reid developed an interest in music as early as four years old, learning to play his first song, a rendition of Rhinestone Cowboy. He considers his favourite genres to be "pop, rock, indie, and country". In 2024, he pleaded guilty to refusing to give a blood sample after allegedly failing to stop for police, who caught him driving over the speed limit on Boxing Day. He voluntarily admitted himself to the Nova Trust rehabilitation clinic for three months, and was subsequently sentenced to 12 months supervision and disqualified from driving for one year. Reid's musical career has led to five number one albums on the NZ Music Charts, as well as eight music awards with The Feelers,

The Feelers had its first breakthrough hit with the single "Pressure Man", which received an NZ Music Award, and followed up with the singles "Space Cadet" and "Supersystem", the latter which won an APRA Silver Scroll for radio airplay. Their 1998 album Supersystem was a chart success, debuting at number 1. This is not to be confused with the Christian label of the same name, which closed in the early 1990s.

In May 2018, Broken Records went into liquidation after becoming insolvent, citing a downturn in business. The process was completed in June 2018, and the company was closed.

Solo career (2013–present) In 2013, Reid released his first solo album, entitled Saint. In 2020, he released Too Close to the Sun, a 6-track EP which included the aforementioned singles.

Discography

Albums Saint (2013)

Singles and EPs "From Your Side" (2016) "Time Is Another Lover" (2016) "Meet Me at the Troubadour" (2018) "Back to the Beginning" (2018) "Planet Nowhere" (2019) Too Close to the Sun (2020)