About the Artist
Upon listening to singer/songwriter Michael James’s new album Everything We Used to Be, one knows one is hearing the craft of a gifted artist. The sound is reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, Dave Matthews, or John Mayer, but it is not because the songs are an imitation of the works of these successful writers. James’s undeniably original songs capture heartfelt lyrics and resonant melodies. They are comparable to the recordings of other great songwriters not only in sound, but also in skill. The songs are at once catchy and moody, bringing to mind both the pop melodies of Howie Day and the honesty of David Gray. But the passion of Michael James sets his work apart from the rest of modern popular music. His emotional song-craft has captivated audiences wherever he goes, bringing him from intimate venues all the way to the Hard Rock Café in Denver and Diversafest 2005 in Tulsa. It is hard to pinpoint the exact moment when Michael James started his life as a solo songwriter. Until recently he toured and recorded as the front man of a band in his native Colorado, with indie label backing, honing his textured guitar playing and honest vocals. However, music has been the focus of his life since long before then, and it shows in his intricate songwriting. Building from his experience and passion for life that is at the core of his music, Michael James recorded his debut solo EP Loft Sessions in 2004. It has been played heavily on East Coast college radio, as well as on stations in Denver and throughout Colorado. Michael recorded Loft Sessions on his own, but his new album, Everything We Used to Be, is ready to brilliantly break out onto a wider market this year with fully produced, fully realized songs. Although it is difficult to say where Michael James’s songwriting began, it’s easy to say where it will take him: anywhere he wants it to go. And he’ll take you there with him. Listen to Michael James’ new album Everything We Used to Be -- coming out on Radio Sky Music in the fall of 2005 -- and you may hear influences of modern masters like U2, Radiohead, Duncan Sheik, REM, and Damien Rice, but most of all you will hear Michael’s own voice, and his heart. The first single, ‘Room to Breathe’, heart-wrenching and hopeful at once, will have you lost in the beauty of the music, and the experience of the musician. In a time when popular music can be impersonal and artificial, James delivers soulful songs that are not only refreshing, but also as genuine as you can get.
Product Description
Everything We Used to Be is an album deeply rooted in the soul and emotion of Michael James. The follow-up to his outstanding solo debut EP, Loft Sessions, is a more fully produced collection of songs, and as James professes, “(it) represents a more complete vision of what I intended the songs to be.” The album is about relationships and it does a superb job of enveloping the listener in the feelings and stories found in each track. James’ vocal style is passionate and convincing because every word he sings he actually feels. As a result the listener can’t help but feel it too. While the words, punctuated quite well by James’ compelling vocal style make it all happen, the instrumentation ends up being the perfect bedfellow for his lyrics and tasteful nuances. The music creates atmospheres that fit the words like a glove, from brooding and sad to melancholy and ecstatic, the entire range of emotions gets equal time on all eight tracks. The first single, ‘Room to ! Breathe,’ is heart wrenching and hopeful at once, and offers an unflinching honesty that can’t be ignored. As James says, his music “is built around a passion for life and it is the most honest representation of my heart and emotions I can give.” That gift is exciting and enlightening and shouldn’t be missed.
