Interview: A Conversation with James Atlas on “In the Moonlight”

When we sat down with singer-songwriter James Atlas to talk about his latest single “In the Moonlight,” there was a stillness in his voice the kind that comes from having weathered a storm and found something luminous on the other side. The song, the fifth from his upcoming self-titled album, is more than just a track. It’s a moment of survival wrapped in melody.

Listen to “In the moonlight” on YouTube

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Q: James, let’s start at the heart of it. Where did “In the Moonlight” come from?

James: I was getting very stressed out from a project and the only thing that would calm me down at night was writing songs on the acoustic guitar. This song came out of nowhere and got me through a pretty hard time.

Q: That vulnerability really comes through in the track. How did it evolve from those late nights to the lush soundscape we hear now?

James: Thank you, In The Moonlight came from a very vulnerable place. All my songs started out on the acoustic guitar, but I always found myself craving more than what the acoustic guitar could do. Eventually, I met a music producer and he really gave it a new life with this new arrangement. There’s so much range in the instrumentation now compared to my first attempt with the guitar and drums.

Q: The lyrics are intimate, yet universal. What message were you hoping to pass on to the listener?

James: Yeah, I just want it to be able to help anyone who feels lost or stuck out there. There’s always something to appreciate in our darkest moments that we can use to get us through it. 

Q: Tell us about the music video. It’s abstract but deeply emotional.

James: The music video is an extension of the message. In its most simple form, it’s a character alone in a dark environment, but there’s all this light around him. So the glowing and bioluminescent elements represent the small things you can appreciate and be grateful for when you feel like you’re at rock bottom. It’s a reminder that the dark is what makes the light so beautiful, and we can use the light to find our way.

Q: Who do you imagine listening to this song?

James: Someone who is burnt out, someone who is failing at something, someone that feels like things aren’t working out for them. Culturally, we don’t talk about this stuff, so we usually have to face it all alone. I wrote this song when it seemed like all of the above was happening to me, and it became my anthem to pick myself up and keep going. So hopefully it can help someone else too.

Q: And as this is part of your upcoming album, what can fans expect from the full project?

James: There’s some exciting things coming up. My album is being released on a rocket that I made and 3D printed. People scan the barcode in the porthole of their rocket and it takes them to the album. This week, we’re fabricating a giant 4m tall version of my rocket. People have to find this rocket in Art Square here in Ufa, and the astronauts standing next to it will be handing out golden tickets to my secret show at a club called Dom Pechati. After this show, the rocket may be landing in a major city, so you’ll have to wait and see!

James Atlas has given us a powerful offering with “In the Moonlight,” a track that doesn’t just ask to be heard, but felt. It’s a reminder that even when we’re drifting, we’re still capable of creating something timeless.

Stream “In the Moonlight” now and follow James on his journey over on INSTAGRAM for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and more.