James Nagel

My Story

My journey began in a small, musty garage in Northern California, where I spent hours writing songs and playing music. At ten, I discovered my love for drums, and by fourteen, I was already performing professionally with musicians far older than me. That experience was like no other, it laid the foundation for both my growth as a player and my evolution as a songwriter.

The money I earned from touring was quickly reinvested into my next obsession: recording. I bought my first multi-track recorder and dove headfirst into capturing everything I could. Instead of attending high school parties, I spent my weekends recording local bands or writing new songs on my guitar. Music became my everything. It was my calling, and I knew I’d do it for the rest of my life.

In 2007, I moved to the East Coast to study songwriting at Berklee College of Music. Even with a scholarship, the financial strain and the practical realities of the music industry led me to trust my instincts and return to the West Coast.

That decision turned out to be life-changing. In 2010, I launched my own music production company, and by 2012, my catalog was being represented by publishing companies across the US, Europe, and Asia. My music has been featured in TV shows, movies, commercials, and radio worldwide. I’ve earned songwriting awards from the Great American Song Contest, the UK Songwriting Contest, and Song of the Year. But what truly brings me joy is helping other songwriters, artists, and bands on their own musical journeys.