| Influences |
DYLAN JAMES - BIO
London-based Dylan James is a confessional singer-songwriter steeped in the folk tradition, who’s not afraid to make a big statement.
For the last half-a-decade James has been quietly going about perfecting his craft, cultivating a hushed cult following through rare home demoes, whilst shunning interviews, and rarely performing live.
One such devotee was Noah and the Whale’s Matt Owens who on hearing his songs was so blown away that he felt compelled to try and produce his debut album. James finally relented…
“Dylan writes with no filter, just these great big searingly honest songs, shot through with such poetic beauty, delivered by such gorgeous melodies, you can’t resist being taken along with him.” Owens added, “They’re the most realised batch of timeless songs I’ve heard from anyone for a long, long time! “
His songs are not of the folk of yore however, nor a litany of rock ’n’ roll cliches. No, James chronicles the home truths he encounters in the day-to-day, the grind & ennui of modern life his bread and butter, whether it’s drunken failings, broken dreams, world-weary determination or battle hardened parental commitment. It’s these seldom explored topics that make his observations hit all the harder, and garner him such integrity & conviction.
With his debut single ‘Let’s Talk’ coming out at the start of July, James began to build momentum for the album’s release – Clunk Magazine praised the ‘powerful emotions and and beautiful lyricism’ of it, while Fortitude Magazine described it as ‘an uplifting and cathartic track and one which will resonate long after its final beat.’ The second single ‘Boys Yard’ followed in November just in time for the FIFA 2022 World Cup, being covered by the likes of XS Noize, Americana UK and EARMILK. With its inspirational lyrics urging dreamers they can ‘score from forty yards’ and ‘cover every blade of grass’, the track was played and discussed on BBC Radio 5 Live, and also saw James being interviewed on Sky Sports and talkSPORT. Expect more of this open honesty in James’ songwriting with his debut album, which will be released in 2023.
The record cut at Somerset’s White Noise Studio & Manchester’s legendary Airtight studio featuring James Besley on drums (James Warren, Little Mammoths) & Scandinavian Chanteuse Camilla Skye on vocals, sounds instantly modern, with a nod to the great 90’s Brit Pop records of lost youth, blended with the seminal, lo-fi singer-songwriter records of the 1970’s. It’s delivered in James’ instantly recognisable cracked baritone, peppered with hints of Liam Gallagher, whilst reminiscent of a British Paul Westerberg, and framed by understated, raw instrumentations - gnarly electrics, woozy harmonicas, fizzing old synths and chiming pianos nestling alongside each other.
It’s an idiosyncratic record, from an idiosyncratic artist, not pandering, or trying to assimilate, every one of its 10 songs just as vital as the last.
As Owens remarked, “they just don’t seem to make albums like this anymore- so I’m very much glad we have!”
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