Originally from Orange, NSW, but currently living in Sydney's Northern Beaches, James Keith is an emerging country music talent whose style aligns with the likes of Morgan Evans, Riley Green and Cody Johnson.
He's already tasted success, with his 2024 debut album 'Life Is Good Today' spending two weeks at #1 on the ARIA Country Albums Chart in 2024.
His single 'On Fire' also gained widespread attention after becoming an unofficial anthem among NRL fans.
The son of Peter Mortimer, who played for the Canterbury Bulldogs along with his uncles Steve and Chris during the 1970s-'80s, Keith pursued a rugby league career playing with Manly before turning his full attention to music (like his younger brother Robbie Mortimer).
Last year, James was named a Top 10 finalist in the prestigious Toyota Star Maker competition.
Now he returns with his newest single. Loose, relaxing, and chilled, with a slice of lavishness, 'Living This Life' will have you channelling those beautiful moments that live forever.
A country-pop rhythm with a rock & roll groove that sweeps you up, carrying you atop joyous-happy feels, 'Living This Life' is like a breath of fresh air, the kinda track to leave you glowing, the radiant vibes contagious in all the right ways.
With Keith's warm, gravelly-polished vocals, the song's buoyant textures are solidified, sing-alongs all but guaranteed – whether by yourself or with your mates.
"I've written a lot of high-energy, anthemic songs, but with this one I wanted to strip it back a bit and just make something that feels good," James says.
"Easy listening, windows down, no stress – just a song that puts you in a good mood and reminds you to enjoy where you are right now."
Ahead of the song's release tomorrow (27 March), today scenestr is delighted to premiere 'Living This Life'. Enjoy.
The song originally came together when Keith spent time together IRL with his long-distance girlfriend. "'Living This Life' was actually written on my boat the first time my girlfriend came out to Australia.
"We'd been doing the long-distance thing – about 16,000 kilometres apart – and that day just felt simple and perfect. Sun out, music playing, no distractions. . . and I remember thinking, 'this is it. This is what it’s all about.' I pulled the guitar out, we sat down together, and the song pretty much wrote itself."
Birthed from a place of romance, James also leans into his own childhood raised among vineyards, footy fields and long gravel roads, the song a beacon for highlighting the simple things in life.
"For me, this song's a reminder. You can be chasing big goals, building a career, doing all the things – but if you're not stopping to actually live your life along the way, you're missing the point.
"That's what this song is and that's what my whole mantra is all about, living in the moment, because life is good today."
