James Bay (MTV PUSH)

James Bay planned to study fine art, but couldn’t resist the calling of music. And his career choice is paying off in a big way. The singer-songwriter-guitarist recently was awarded the 2015 BRIT Awards’ Critics Choice prize, he’s a nominee for MTV UK’s Brand New for 2015, and his single ‘Hold Back the River’ is gaining major buzz. Hailing from the U.K. town of Hitchin, Bay discovered the guitar at age 11, and it was love at first strum. He recalls that ‘the sensation of holding it was the best thing in the world.’ He learned to play by ear and by 16 was playing solo gigs in pubs. A move to London helped him gain a reputation as a live performer, and opportunities for supporting slots for established acts. In 2013, he had the life-changing opportunity to open for the Rolling Stones at their Hyde Park show. His emotional, folk-rooted rock has earned him praise for critics and fans including none other than Taylor Swift! Bay’s first full-length studio album, ‘Chaos and the Calm’, is due out in March, and it’s sure to land him even more accolades. In the meantime, MTV have named him January’s PUSH artist, so you can brag that you knew about him first! Stay tuned all month long for MTV PUSH features, including an exclusive interview, a live performance of ‘Hold Back the River’, and a video of his life story in animated form. ​