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Susan James (musician)

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Susan James
James playing guitar
James in 2011
Background information
Birth nameSusan Elizabeth James
OriginPasadena, California, US
GenresFolk, Folk-pop, Alternative country
Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Guitar
Stringed Instruments
Keyboard
Years active1990–present
Websitesusanjamesmusic.com

Susan James is an American singer, songwriter, and musician from Pasadena, California known for rock, folk, psychedelic folk and experimental music.[1]

Early life and education

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James was raised in Pasadena, California. Her father, Jack James, worked for over 35 years at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and was Project Manager for NASA's Mariner program.[2]

James studied music at the University of California, Los Angeles.[3] She graduated with a bachelor's degree in ethnomusicology.[3] While still a student, she performed and recorded with a minimalist group created by composer Daniel Lentz.[4]

Musical career

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Susan James live at House of Blues, Los Angeles in 2000

James released her first solo album, Life Between Two Worlds in 1990.[5] The album marked her start as an independent musician releasing her own material without the influence of a major record label.[6]

She supported her debut album by playing gigs in many of Los Angeles’ well-known venues, such as Largo.[3] She also received regular airplay from popular KROQ disc jockey Rodney Bingenheimer, who noted that James “is among the best of the new breed of women musicians who are going to set the industry on its ear.''[3] Bingenheimer and several music critics described her music during this time period in a similar vein as Ani DiFranco.[3][7]

James’ local success led to numerous tours across the United States.[7] She toured with Richard Buckner, and opened for major artists including Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, Rufus Wainwright, and Daniel Lanois.[8] Weir stated that James was "gifted and writes about interesting stuff."[9] Weir subsequently invited James on several U.S. tours with his bands RatDog and Weir/Wasserman.[10] She was also invited as the opening act in support of Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsay Buckingham during a national tour promoting his first solo record, Out of the Cradle.[3]

In 1996, James recorded her sophomore album, Shocking Pink Banana Seat, in Los Angeles, and released it on her independent label, Major Label Records.[6] Engineered and co-produced by Travis Dickerson, Shocking Pink Banana Seat included D.J. Bonebrake of the Los Angeles punk band X on drums.[7][11]

Her next album, Fantastic Voyage (1998), was a double album with one CD consisting of guitar and vocal songs and the other featuring instrumental compositions that reflect James’ knowledge of ethnomusicology.[7] It was engineered by John Would at Stanley Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Bassist Tommy Stinson from the Replacements contributed to the recordings.[12][13]

James took a long hiatus from recording,[14] and did not return until 2010, when she released the Americana-tinged album Highways, Ghosts, Hearts & Home.[15] The album featured performances by Paul Lacques, Paul Marshall, and Shawn Nourse from the band I See Hawks in L.A.; Gabe Witcher from the band Punch Brothers; and Danny McGough from Social Distortion and Shivaree.[16][17] James supported the album by touring in the U.S. and Europe.[13]

James returned to the studio in 2013 to record Driving Toward the Sun, which garnered largely positive reviews from the press.[13][14][18][19] Several videos were produced for the release, including a post-apocalyptic themed video for the title song which features actor Peter Stormare.

In 2015 James released Sea Glass.[20] She would call it her most defining album.[21] The album is a departure from the more traditional folk music she had previously released.[21] Critic Malcolm Carter described it as an amalgamation of sounds and genres, with references to Baroque pop and 1960s/1970s psychedelic rock.[22] Music critic John Payne said that Sea Glass is a contribution to the distinct California aesthetic, noting that "it’s not a stretch to say it’s as much California classic music as the disparate strains of Terry Riley, Harry Partch, the Beach Boys, and Captain Beefheart."[21] Sea Glass was co-produced and arranged by Sean O'Hagan[23] of the group the High Llamas, whom she met through Mary Hensen of the band Stereolab.[24] Due to O'Hagen being in London and James being in Los Angeles, the two collaborated on the album virtually via Skype.[25][21] In 2018, independent label Sunstone Records UK re-released Sea Glass on vinyl.[26]

In 2024, Susan James released a new single “Time Is Now”. It was announced that this is the title song from an upcoming album of the same name, to be released in June, 2024.[27][28]

Personal life

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Susan James is married to British engineer and producer Fulton Dingley.[29][30]

Discography

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Album title Year
Life Between Two Worlds 1990
Shocking Pink Banana Seat 1995
Fantastic Voyage (double album) 1998 (U.S.)
1999 (Europe)
Highways, Ghosts, Hearts & Home 2010
Driving Toward the Sun 2013
Sea Glass 2015
2018 (vinyl)
Time Is Now 2024 (single, vinyl)
Time Is Now 2024 (album)

Appearances on other works

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Album artist(s) Album title Year
Daniel Lentz On the Leopard Altar 1984
The High Llamas Buzzle Bee 2000
The High Llamas Beet, Maize & Corn 2003
Mary Hansen The Horizontalist 2009

References

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  1. ^ Martin, Ryan (March 28, 2019). "The Test Drive: Susan James - Sea Glass - Jammerzine". jammerzine.com. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  2. ^ "Jack James; Rocket Scientist for JPL". Los Angeles Times. August 15, 2001. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Karlen, Neal (June 29, 1997). "On Top of Pop, But Not With One Voice". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  4. ^ "Interview: Daniel Lentz". THE MOUTH MAGAZINE. June 26, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  5. ^ "Susan James: Life-Between Two Worlds". via www.discogs.com. 1990.
  6. ^ a b "Indy City". Los Angeles Magazine: 18. April 1998.
  7. ^ a b c d Kendrick, Monica (September 24, 1998). "Spot Check". Chicago Reader. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  8. ^ Daniels, H.P. (June 5, 2011). "Konzertkritik: Susan James & Paul Lacques im art.gerecht". Der Tagesspiegel (in German). ISSN 1865-2263. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  9. ^ Archives, L. A. Times (May 6, 1993). "Neo-Folkie Susan James Will Be Opener for Weir". Los Angeles Times.
  10. ^ "Soundbites (March 27 - April 2, 1997)". www.tucsonweekly.com. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  11. ^ "Susan James - Shocking Pink Banana Seat". via discogs.com. 1995.
  12. ^ "Susan James - Fantastic Voyage". via discogs.com. 1998.
  13. ^ a b c "Tied to the Tracks: Acoustic Americana Music Guide, Feb 9 to 15". No Depression. February 10, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Lewis, Stormy (February 19, 2013). "Album Review: Susan James - Driving Towards The Sun". Roughstock. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  15. ^ http://www.mmusicmag.com/reviews/V2-01/SUSAN-JAMES-Review-M-JANFEB-2011.pdf
  16. ^ Schlansky, Evan (March 1, 2011). "Susan James: Highways, Ghosts, Hearts & Home". American Songwriter. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  17. ^ "Susan James – Highways, Ghosts, Hearts and Home". twangville.com. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  18. ^ Payne, John. "Susan James: Driving Toward the Sun". www.bluefat.com. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  19. ^ "Susan James - Driving Toward The Sun". Americanrootsuk.com.
  20. ^ Harten, Kim. "Album Reviews - SUSAN JAMES Sea Glass LP (Sunstone)". www.blissaquamarine.net. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d Payne, John (June 16, 2015). "Susan James Creates "Postmodern Folk-Rock" in Her Topanga Canyon Studio". LA Weekly.
  22. ^ Carter, Malcolm. "Susan James - Sea Glass". www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  23. ^ Page, Andy (October 19, 2015). "Susan James - Sea Glass (Susan James Music) - God Is In The TV". God is in the TV. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  24. ^ Pledger, Paul (March 10, 2015). "SUSAN JAMES , Sea Glass , Music, CD review". Peek-a-boo Magazine. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  25. ^ "15 questions | Interview | Sean O'Hagan | A Feeling Beyond Words". www.15questions.net. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  26. ^ Stevens, Samantha (June 15, 2019). "Album Review: Susan James channels mystical sounds of '60s Californian folk movement on 'Sea Glass' - Guitar Girl Magazine". Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  27. ^ "New Music: Susan James – Time Is Now | AnalogueTrash". www.analoguetrash.com. March 25, 2024.
  28. ^ Wiggins, Keavin (March 13, 2024). "Singled Out: Susan James' Time In Now". www.antimusic.com.
  29. ^ Bluhm, David (January 31, 2023). "Interview: Susan James / Gaesteliste.de Internet-Musikmagazin". www.gaesteliste.de (in German). Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  30. ^ "Fulton Dingley music producer". www.recordproduction.com.
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