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James Blake (musician)

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James Blake
James Blake performing at Dockville, Germany, Hamburg, 2012
James Blake performing at Dockville, Germany, Hamburg, 2012
Background information
Birth nameJames Blake Litherland[1]
Also known asHarmonimix
Born (1988-09-26) 26 September 1988 (age 36)[2]
Enfield, London, England
GenresElectronic, experimental, post-dubstep, nu-wave trip-hop, soul, downtempo
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician, record producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, personal computer, synthesizer, drum machine, music sequencer, sampler
Years active2009–present
LabelsR&S, ATLAS, A&M, Polydor, Universal Republic
Websitejamesblakemusic.com

James Blake (born 26 September 1988)[2] is an English electronic music producer and singer-songwriter from London. His eponymous debut album was released in the United Kingdom in 2011[3] and nominated for the Mercury Music Prize for that year. His second studio album Overgrown won the Mercury Prize in 2013.[4] He is also known as Harmonimix particularly when releasing remixes.

Career

Blake began his music career by releasing his debut 12" record, entitled "Air & Lack Thereof" in the United Kingdom during July 2009, while being persistent in recording songs in his bedroom. Having been released on the imprint record label, Hemlock, the extended-play became a favourite of BBC Radio 1 DJ Gilles Peterson.[5] Soon after the release of the record Blake was invited by Peterson to do a special mix on his international show, including an exclusive Mount Kimbie track.[5] During that time, Blake attended Goldsmiths, University of London, where he studied popular music. As his second year composition assignment, he submitted Klavierwerke EP saying that he didn't want to focus on his university composition, which was already going to be released.[6]

A third EP, entitled "CMYK" was released through R&S Records during 2010.[7] The title track, "CMYK" was selected by BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw as his Record of the Week[8] and also received airplay from other DJs.

On 29 September 2010, Zane Lowe selected Blake's cover version of "Limit to Your Love" as his "Hottest Record in the World". The song was written and originally recorded by Feist and appeared on her studio album, The Reminder. The single was released in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2010,[9] where it debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 47.[10]

Blake was nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011, an annual poll that highlights the forthcoming year's likely successful musicians;[11] he was eventually placed second, ahead of fellow shortlisted acts; The Vaccines, Jamie Woon and Clare Maguire. It was also revealed on 15 December 2010 that Blake had been made the runner-up behind singer-songwriter Jessie J at the BRIT Awards' "Critic's Choice".[12] In January 2011, Blake was awarded Single of the Year (2010) for "CMYK" at Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards. Blake's work found itself on numerous 2010 year-end best-of lists, with "CMYK" ranking 24th on Frontier Psychiatrist's top 40 songs of the year,[13] the Bells Sketch/CMYK/Klavierwerke EPs ranking 8th on Pitchfork Media's top 50 albums of 2010, and "I Only Know (What I Know Now)" ranking 8th on Pitchfork's top 100 tracks of 2010.[14]

Self-titled album

Blake revealed in late December 2010 that his album would be self-titled, and the 11-track James Blake was released on 7 February 2011.[3] Only days after the original announcement was made, the album was leaked onto the internet.[15] On 9 January 2011, "The Wilhelm Scream" was trailed as the album's second single ("Limit To Your Love" was also included on the album).[16] The song was used during the end credits of HBO TV series Entourage season 8 episode 3.[17] The name Wilhelm scream refers to a sound effect used in numerous movies.[18]In February 2011, James Blake first appeared on the cover of the publication The FADER, in its 72nd issue. [19]

James Blake performing at Glastonbury Festival June 2011

Blake debuted a collaboration with Bon Iver called "Fall Creek Boys Choir" in August 2011 and during the next month, the BBC released an exclusive mix by Blake, which included 10 of his unreleased songs. These included "Deeds", "Olivia Kept", and "Evening Fell Hard for Us". During the final weeks of 2012, James Blake performed three "intimate" shows where he debuted new songs.[20]

Overgrown

Blake announced via Facebook on 7 February 2013 that his second album, Overgrown, would be released on 8 April.[21] The first single from the album, "Retrograde", was debuted the same day on BBC Radio 1, and was released on 11 February. On 25 February, the track listing and album art were revealed[22] and it was confirmed that Brian Eno and RZA would both feature on the album.[22]

Awards and nominations

On 19 July 2011, Blake was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize 2011 for his self-titled debut album;[4] the award was won by PJ Harvey. However in 2013, he was nominated again for Overgrown, and subsequently won the award, the result being announced on the 30 October. The judges at the event described his album as "...late night music for the digital age. An inventive, poignant and poetic record of great beauty."[23][24]

Personal life

James Blake is the son of James Litherland and showed a strong interest and aptitude in music from a young age.[25] He completed primary education at Grange Park Primary School, Winchmore Hill and secondary education at The Latymer School, Edmonton. Later on, he attended Goldsmiths, University of London, where he got a degree in Popular Music.[26] In a 2013 interview with The Guardian he revealed that he was in a relationship with Theresa Wayman, guitarist and vocalist of American indie rock group Warpaint.[27]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
[28] 		AUS
[29] 		BEL
(Vl)
[30] 		BEL
(Wa)
[31] 		DEN
[32] 		IRE
[33] 		NL
[34] 		NZ
[35] 		SWE
[36] 		SWI
[37] 		US
[38]
[39]
James Blake 9 32 1 24 2 11 5 38 33 9 123
Overgrown 8 5 12 57 2 24 34 27 — 16 32
"—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released.

EPs

Title EP details
The Bells Sketch
  • Released: 8 March 2010[42]
  • Label: Hessle Audio
  • Formats: Vinyl, Digital Download
CMYK
  • Released: 31 May 2010
  • Label: R&S Records
  • Formats: Vinyl, Digital Download
Klavierwerke
  • Released: 27 September 2010
  • Label: R&S Records
  • Formats: Vinyl, Digital Download
Enough Thunder[43]
  • Released: 7 October 2011
  • Label: ATLAS, Polydor
  • Formats: Vinyl, CD, Digital Download
Love What Happened Here
  • Released: 6 December 2011
  • Label: R&S Records
  • Formats: Vinyl, Digital Download

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
UK
[28] 		AUT
[29] 		BEL
(Vl)
[30] 		BEL
(Wa)
[31] 		DEN
[32] 		NL
[34]
2009 "Air & Lack Thereof" — — — — — — non-album single
2010 "Limit to Your Love" 39 63 5 42 3 7 James Blake
2011 "The Wilhelm Scream" 136 — 64 82 — —
"Lindisfarne / Unluck" — — — — — —
"Order / Pan" — — — — — — non-album single
"Fall Creek Boys Choir"
(with Bon Iver) 		— — — — — — Enough Thunder
"A Case of You" — — — — — —
2013 "Retrograde" 87 — — — 10 — Overgrown
"Overgrown" — — — — — —
"Life Round Here" — — — — — —
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released.
as Harmonimix
  • 2012: "Confidence Boost"—Harmonimix & Trimbal

Remixes

Year Artist Song Title
2009 Untold "Stop What You're Doing" James Blake Remix
2010 Mount Kimbie "Maybes" James Blake Remix
2013 Mala "Changes" Harmonimix Remix
2013 Drake "Come Thru" James Blake Remix

Music videos

Year Title Director
2010 "Limit to Your Love" Martin de Thurah[44]
2011 "The Wilhelm Scream" Alexander Brown[45]
"Lindisfarne" Martin de Thurah[46]
"A Case of You" Seb Edwards[47]
2013 "Retrograde" Martin de Thurah[48]
"Overgrown" Nabil[49]
"Voyeur" Tobias Revell and Ferry Gouw[50]
"Life Round Here (feat. Chance The Rapper)" Nabil[51]
as Harmonimix
Year Title Director
2012 "Confidence Boost (Harmonimix & Trim)" Rollo Jackson[52]

Awards and nominations

Year Organisation Nominated work Award Result
2011 BBC Sound of 2011 James Blake Sound of 2011 Second place
2011 BRIT Awards James Blake Critic's Choice Nominated
2011 Mercury Prize James Blake Mercury Prize Nominated
2012 Ivor Novello Awards "The Wilhelm Scream" Best Contemporary Song Nominated
2012 BRIT Awards James Blake British Male Solo Artist Nominated
2012 MTV Video Music Awards Japan "Limit to Your Love" Best New Artist Nominated
Best Dance Video Nominated
2013 2013 Mercury Prize Overgrown Mercury Prize Won
2013 UK Music Video Awards "Overgrown" Best Alternative Video Nominated
"Retrograde" Best Colour Grade In a Video Nominated

References

  1. ^ "ACE Title Search". ASCAP. 9 October 2013.
  2. ^ a b "James Blake on his 23rd Birthday, Limit To Your Love". YouTube. 26 September 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  3. ^ a b "James Blake - Album Release Information", Retrieved 2011-01-06
  4. ^ a b "Ministry of Sound Biography - The IMO Records Blog". Imorecords.co.uk. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  5. ^ a b 02:00 (19 May 2010). "Radio 1 Programmes - Gilles Peterson, James Blake Live In The Studio". BBC. Retrieved 12 December 2010. {{cite web}}: |author= has numeric name (help)
  6. ^ "Interview: My university experience « The Telegraph". thetelegraph.co.uk. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  7. ^ ShareTweet. "James Blake – CMYK EP review | Juno Plus". Junodownload.com. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
  8. ^ "Music - James Blake". BBC. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
  9. ^ "James Blake - Limit To Your Love - Release Date", retrieved 2011-01-06
  10. ^ "James Blake - Limit To Your Love - Chart Run", retrieved 2011-01-06
  11. ^ "BBC Sound of 2011 - James Blake Profile", retrieved 2011-01-06
  12. ^ "The BRIT Awards 2013". Brits.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  13. ^ "Frontier Psychiatrist: Top 40 songs of 2010". Frontpsych.com. 7 December 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  14. ^ "Top 50 Albums of 2010". Pitchfork. 16 December 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  15. ^ "Leaked: James Blake - James Blake". Jpsblog.net. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  16. ^ The Wilhelm Scream revealed as second single Retrieved 2011-01-09.
  17. ^ "[1]"
  18. ^ Mayer Nissim (6 March 2011). "James Blake: 'The Wilhelm Scream'". Digital Spy. digitalspy.co.uk. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
  19. ^ FADER, The (2011-02-17). "World Premiere! The FADER Issue #72: Wiz Khalifa, James Blake and Casely-Hayford". The FADER. Retrieved November 13,2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  20. ^ "Watch James Blake Play Two New Songs -- Pitchfork". Pitchfork. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  21. ^ "My new album..." James Blake. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  22. ^ a b Blake, James. "Brian Eno, RZA Guest on New James Blake Album". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  23. ^ "Mercury Prize 2013: The nominees « BBC News". bbc.co.uk. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  24. ^ http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/oct/30/james-blake-mercury-music-prize
  25. ^ "James Blake Re-Conquers The BBC, Covers His Dad and Joni Mitchell « The FADER". Thefader.com. 11 February 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  26. ^ Edwards, Rhiannon (5 September 2013). "Interview: My university experience « The Telegraph". thetelegraph.co.uk work=The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ Lamont, Tom (7 April 2013). "James Blake,Electronic music (Music genre),Dubstep (music genre),Dance music (music genre),Pop and rock (Music genre),Music,Culture". The Guardian. London.
  28. ^ a b Peak positions in the United Kingdom:
  29. ^ a b "James Blake > Australian Charts".
  30. ^ a b "James Blake > Belgium Flanders Charts". www.ultratop.be/nl/.
  31. ^ a b "James Blake > Belgium Wallonia Charts". www.ultratop.be/fr/.
  32. ^ a b "James Blake > Danish Charts". danishcharts.com/.
  33. ^ "James Blake - Music Charts". Acharts.us. 5 February 2012.
  34. ^ a b "James Blake > Dutch Charts". dutchcharts.com/.
  35. ^ "James Blake > News Zealand Charts". http://charts.org.nz. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  36. ^ "James Blake > Swedish Charts". swedishcharts.com/.
  37. ^ "James Blake > Swiss Charts". hitparade.ch/.
  38. ^ "James Blake > Billboard 200 Charts". www.billboard.com/.
  39. ^ "News - James Blake at the Music Box". Dubstepswag.com. 5 February 2012.
  40. ^ "iTunes - Music - James Blake by James Blake". Itunes.apple.com. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  41. ^ "iTunes - Music - Overgrown (Deluxe Version) by James Blake". Itunes.apple.com. 8 March 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  42. ^ James Blake - The Bells Sketch - EP, Retrieved 2011-01-01.
  43. ^ James Blake Reveals Enough Thunder, Retrieved 2011-09-14.
  44. ^ James Blake 'Limit to Your Love' - Music Video Retrieved 2011-02-09.
  45. ^ James Blake 'The Wilhelm Scream' - Music Video Youtube, Retrieved 2011-02-09.
  46. ^ James Blake 'Lindesfarne' - Music Video Retrieved 2011-05-17.
  47. ^ "Watch the New James Blake Video". Pitchfork. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  48. ^ "James Blake 'Retrograde'". YouTube. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  49. ^ "James Blake : Overgrown". YouTube. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  50. ^ "James Blake//Voyeur". YouTube. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  51. ^ "James Blake Feat. Chance The Rapper "Life Round Here" (Official Video)". YouTube. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  52. ^ "Video Confidence Boost". beatMashers. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
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