Joshua James (folk singer)
| Joshua James | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Joshua James |
| Origin | Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative rock, folk rock |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| Years active | 2003–Current |
| Labels | Intelligent Noise/Northplatte Records |
| Website | www.joshuajames.tv |
Joshua James is an American rock and folk musician currently based out of Provo, Utah and Lincoln, Nebraska. Joshua James is often compared to Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joe Purdy, Bright Eyes or Ray LaMontagne. James is known for his intimate vocal style and bittersweet lyrics, often dealing with tragedy, religion, and substance abuse.
His original digital release of The Sun is Always Brighter on iTunes reached #1 on the service's Folk Album list in 2007 and sold in excess of 25,000 copies by the end of 2008.[1] The album caught the attention of the indie folk scene, with Paste Magazine naming him one of their "Next 25 Artists You Need To Know" in their September 2008 issue,[2] prompting artists such as John Mayer, David Gray, Ani DiFranco, Third Eye Blind, and Brett Dennen to have him support their North American tours.
NPR has also recently cited Joshua James in one of their "Song of the Day" publishings. They featured his "The New Love Song" as one of the best new songs from a previously unknown artist in a long time.[3]
Joshua headed back to the studio in late 2007 to record his second album, entitled Build Me This, which was released digitally on September 8, 2009, and physically on September 22, 2009, on Intelligent Noise/Northplatte Records. Paste Magazine dubbed the new work "phenomenal."[4] iTunes also dubbed Build Me This one of the "Best of 2009" Indie Spotlight Singer/Songwriter albums.
He performed at SXSW Music Festival, Bonaroo, and XPoNential Music Festival, Fork Fest, etc. in 2010 in addition to a US tour and shows in Japan and UK. James has also performed at Lollapalooza in 2009.
Variety Magazine calls James "a young Midwestern singer-songwriter who writes hard-bitten songs of family tragedies and sings them in a voice that’s as sun-bleached and wind-battered as a Nebraska cornfield." [5]
A cover of Herman's Hermits' "No Milk Today" featured in the Season 3 premier of Sons of Anarchy. James' own song "Coal War" was featured in the Season 4 premiere of Sons of Anarchy.
On July 22, 2011, Joshua James announced on his official website that in August 2011, he would start his 3rd record. Richard Swift will be the producer of the album & will also collaborate with James.
Contents |
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- B-Sides: It's Dark Outside (2006)
- Fields and Floods (2007)
- The Sun Is Always Brighter (2008), iTunes "Best of 2008" Folk Album
- Build Me This (2009), iTunes "Best of 2009" Indie Spotlight Singer/Songwriter Album
[edit] EPs
- Crash This Train / The Garden digital EP (2008)
- Sing Songs EP (2009)
- Joshua James: iTunes Sessions (2010)
[edit] Other
- "Come Back Down (feat. Joshua James)" (2010) - J.Viewz, on the album Rivers and Homes
- "No Milk Today (From Sons of Anarchy)" (2010) - Joshua James & The Forest Rangers, Available on US iTunes
- "Christmas in Prison" (2010), Available on US iTunes
- "To Be Alone With You" (2011) -- Seven Swans Reimagined, various artists
[edit] Producer Credits
- Elizabeth (2008) - Isaac Russell of Columbia Records
- Hoarse & Roaring (2010)[6] - Parlor Hawk, iTunes "Best of 2010" Indie Spotlight Singer/Songwriter Album
- Sons & Daughters (2011) - Pablo Blaqk
- Mountain Sea (2011) - Desert Noises
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.slugmag.com/articles/1482/Northplatte-Records.html
- ^ Paste Magazine Issue #46 September 2008
- ^ NPR Song of the Day - Joshua James: Downtrodden, But No Downer
- ^ Paste Magazine - Joshua James: Build Me This
- ^ Variety Magazine: David Gray
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hoarse-roaring/id370313492
