Music has played a pivotal role in James's life since his youth. Growing up in a challenging environment marked by alcoholism and a broken family, James found solace in music. Initially drawn to his first band by the allure of free alcohol and drugs, parties, and companionship, this lifestyle soon led him down a destructive path. "Many of my closest friends have already passed away directly because of the hedonistic choices we made." Throughout this period, an inner emptiness persisted, resistant to any remedy.

James's life underwent a profound transformation when he reluctantly attended a church and participated in the Alpha course. This experience ignited a spiritual awakening that gradually reshaped his life. His recent ventures into recording and sharing his music are largely attributable to the persistent encouragement of pastors and the profound influence of spiritual leaders such as Francis Chan. A pivotal moment came with Chan's impactful "rope video," prompting James to depart from a successful project and embark on his current musical journey. Reflecting on his journey, James recalls, "My grandmother often used to ask me, 'What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?' I didn't realize those were the words of Jesus at the time."

Initially, James crafted his songs solo with just an acoustic guitar. He sent these raw and heartfelt pieces to renowned producer Frank Gryner (noted for his work with Rob Zombie, Tommy Lee, and Def Leppard). This collaboration gave birth to a sound at the intersection of gospel and rock, drawing inspiration from artists such as Hillsong, David Crowder, Zach Williams, and Amy Grant.