James Harries Electronic Press Kit - Streaming Music, Photos, Videos, Lyrics and Info

Artist Information

Biography

A British singer-songwriter with a “golden voice” (Rolling Stone) and sounding “like Ryan Adams on Steroids” (Time Out London), James has had critics scrambling around for comparisons to Tom Waits, Violent Femmes, Tim Buckley and Damien Rice, to name but a few.

James learnt his craft the old fashioned way, whenever possible, performing live every night of the week.

Solo or with his band, James has been on the road non-stop for the past six years, playing in bars, clubs, theatres and festivals throughout Europe, the UK, the US and Asia; giving "hypnotic performances" (International Jazz Festivals review), collecting glowing reviews for his live appearances and an ever growing and enthusiastic fanbase. 2009 saw him play shows across Europe, the USA and in Asia, (where he also played a large benefit concert for land mine clearance in central Vietnam).

Since 2002’s debut (Chapter IV) (which was recently named a “cult classic” by ORF and a “hidden gem” by Musicserver) James has experimented with many different styles of music. His second critically acclaimed album (The Straight Street Session,) was a back to basics record featuring renowned European Jazz musicians. Work on Five film soundtracks followed (one of which, Snowboardaci Sony/BMG, went to #1 on the Czech album charts and double platinum) incorporating elements of electronica to scoring string quartets.

His last label release, “Days Like These”, was James’ third solo full length album and was heralded in the UK and European press with 4 star reviews and sold well before the label went under. It is a collection of thirteen original songs that firmly established James as “an eclectic, genre defying singer/songwriter” (Rock & Pop).

Songs from “Days Like These” have been played on radio stations throughout the world (e.g. “If I Ask” on KCRW, “Ghost Town “on BBC Radio 2 and 6, “Goodbye” & “Loser” on Radio 1), TV channels across Europe (e.g. “Are you happy” on ORF2 TV, “Dream” on C24 TV), and featured on several best of compilations (e.g. “Are you happy” on a “Best of…” released on EMI Austria in 2007, “Best Intent” on Filter Magazine’s “Best of 2007”, “Goodbye” on an HMV “Best of..”). In addition, James Harries has played live on air for numerous national and regional radio and TV stations across Europe (e.g. SAT2 TV in Germany, ORF TV in Austria, etc.)

Although currently without a label, James has continued to put out music in 2009 (recording a collection of 11 murder ballads for an EU language project, writing & recording another film score as well as working on 2 more films). “Dream” was also used in the soundtrack to the VH1 hit show “Free radio”.

But it is on stage where James is at his best. A natural improviser, no two shows are ever the same but they are always raw, charismatic, intense, relaxed and often very amusing.