Frightened Seller

The snow was tumbling down around James Wilson when he realized he might be losing his grip on reality. It was January 2004 and James was taking his last semester of piano performance at the University of Northern Iowa. Cedar Falls was a less than ideal setting for the aspiring musician. The Iowa town provided James little opportunity to meet music industry contacts or cultivate a large audience. “I felt so completely out of my element that I kind of went crazy,” James recalls, as he leans back into the couch in his Brooklyn, NY apartment. “I created this whole environment that didn’t exist.” This provided the singer/songwriter/pianist a means of escape, a way to reconnect with himself and his music. James began to write songs for the first time since the completion of his debut album two years before. It seems a bit incredible that this prolific songwriter, who has played shows at famed New York venues like CBGB’s and The Knitting Factory, would have ever experienced writer’s block. James attributes much of his musical growth to the diverse and talented people he has encountered in New York. A month after moving to New York, a friend played James’ music for Frank Cunha, president of Just Listen Records. “When I first heard James’ music I thought, what great songs. The lyrics, music and melodies were amazing,” Frank says. The music was from James’ second album, Like Smoke Travelling Through Water. The record, which fused elements of his classical and jazz training along with his love of indie rock, took the listener on a dark journey through James’ fractured psyche. After meeting for coffee, James and Frank cemented their musical partnership. James began writing new music which he worked with Frank to record. This collaborative effort culminated in a five song demo record. The songs included “Sink,” “Reckless Trouble,” “This is Holy,” “Reunion,” and “Missing Parts of Hearts.” “Frank really pushed me,” James says. “I was used to performing live, but he really taught me about the recording process.” The demo led to another fateful encounter. A mutual friend played it for drummer James Hartnett. James piano-driven style was particularly appealing to James H. because it provided a new way to challenge himself musically. He had previously played in metal and hardcore bands. After meeting with James and Frank, James H. joined the band. “‘This is Holy’ really clinched it for me,” James H. says. “It had such potential and stood out to me.” James still writes much of the music by himself. However, since James H. has joined Frightened Seller, the two have really worked to fuse their styles of music. James’ hauntingly, beautiful piano melodies are now accompanied by the driving beats of James H.’s drums. This melding of styles is showcased on songs like “The Underground.” The song is the group’s favorite to perform. “The outline is really all we have for the song. Our line is always changing, always getting better,” James H. says. “We just compliment each other and it really comes through on this song.” “The Underground” will be on the forthcoming EP, Frightened Sellers and Basement Dwellers, due out next June. The first single will be “Frightened Seller.”