Joshua James, a folk artist out of Lincoln, Nebraska, has released the two albums The Sun Is Always Brighter, and Build Me This to critical acclaim, with publications like Paste Magazine saying “thankfully the authenticity that appeared in patches throughout his last record steers his latest.” Despite this, he hasn’t seemed quite able to find a wider audience, a trait folk music has had trouble overcoming.
Recently James has been living off the land in Utah, raising livestock and gardening on his property, which he has dubbed ‘Willamette Mountain’. Willamette Mountain has also acted as his recording studio and inspiration for his newest album From The Top Of Willamette Mountain, which this tour is promoting.
James’ music often dances between the boundaries of many genres, from the rock centre of ‘Coal War’ sandwiched between gospel-like refrains, to the soft and beautifully depressing ‘FM Radio’, to the intensely catchy new single ‘Queen Of The City’. Simply calling him a folk artist may be reductionist.
By exploring the realms of requited and unrequited love, drug abuse, and spirituality, James and his distinctive raw but hushed voice is an act not to be missed.
‘Build Me This’ is currently available for free here, so now is definitely a good time to get into him.
Tickets to see Joshua James and his band are £7 in advance, available here
