Darrin James: Singer-songwriter, guitars, piano, wurlitzer, ukulele & other misc.
Jordan Shapiro: Hammond organ, piano
Jeremy Bronson: Drums
Ari Folman-Cohen: Acoustic upright and electric bass
Jo Solomon: Backing vocals
Dan Jeselsohn: Electric upright bass
Tim Kiah: Acoustic upright bass
Adam Roberts: Acoustic upright bass
Dennis Lichtman: Mandolin & fiddle
Colin Stetson: Tenor Sax
Luke Notary: World Percussion
Michael Vitali: Drums
The Jade Quartet: Strings
Influences
From early childhood to more recent: Beatles, Paul Simon, Motown, Hendrix, Dylan, Clapton, Rolling Stones, Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Santana, Grateful Dead, Phish, James Brown, Bob Marley, Toots and the Maytals, Miles Davis, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Thelonius Monk, Chuck Berry, Gil Evans, Charles Mingus, Djengo Reinhardt, Herbie Hancock, Frank Zappa, The Meters, Etta James, Duke Ellington, Mississippi John Hurt, Lightin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Willie Dixon, Tortoise, Ali Farke Toure, Ry Cooder, Fela Kuti, Ruben Gonzalez, Johnny Cash, Talking Heads, David Byrne, The Band, Rick Rubin, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Steve Earle, Hank Williams, Lou Reed, Velvet Underground, Wilco, Woody Guthrie, Brian Wilson, Salif Keita, Nina Simone, Earl Scruggs, Mississppi Fred McDowell, Nick Cave, Cynthia Hopkins, Van Dyke Parks, Willie Nelson, Paranda, Captain Beefheart, Curtis Fuller, Doc Watson, Maybelle Carter
Sounds Like
Lyrics: Dylan, Waits, Springsteen, Cash, Earle,
Music: Americana, Blues, Folk, Alt-Country, Roots-Rock, Jazz, World
Thank you for stopping by. Our new CD, "The Lovely Ugly Truth," is now available from online retailers such as itunes and cdbaby. I've posted a few new songs as well as some favorites from our last release, "Thrones of Gold" (2006). Thank you for your interest and support. We also have a website with additional information, live recordings, photos, etc... Thank you for listening.
"Brooklyn singer-songwriter Darrin James touches on Robbie Robertson’s gruff soulfulness, Tom Waits’ vaudevillian menace and Paul Westerberg’s ramshackle charm in the bluesy rockers on his debut album, "Thrones of Gold." James has a knack for perceptive lyrics and memorable tunes; his crack band supplies the laid-back grooves." - Time Out New York (January, 2009)
"Its literate lyrics and subject matter are a big part of why Thrones of Gold stands as one of the best indie productions of the year so far."
- Jon Sobel, Blog Critics Magazine (May 2007)
"Born to sing the blues, Darrin James tears at the soul...There's an uncanny, effortless authenticity to it that is aloof and genius at the same time. The Brooklyn-based musician has a certain weary, detached air about him, as if he barely realizes the scope of his words and music while executing them in untroubled fluency. Despite such ease in his music, every song is tinged with raw emotion...undeniable talent and originality."
- Julyssa Lopez, Pace University Press (April, 2007)
"An intriguing debut for his own record label...Initial listens to this album indicated a blues leaning. His voice is gruff and rough and suited to the delta blues or jazz but this cd is far more than that."
- Phil Edwards, Americana UK (June 2007)
"The man's got Joe Henry versatility, a crackerjack studio band, and a great sense of craft... from a Lovett/Waits blues into a John Prine diatribe then rocketing off with an Elvis Costello pop gem. The record was made with a lineup featuring seriously tasty musicians making notable decisions that allow Darrin’s throaty vocals to take the foreground. It’s got it all.
- Walt Wells, The Deli Magazine (September 2007)
"DJB sounds so completely authentic and true to its voice that it almost feels cleansing, and makes you wonder why in the hell great songs like these aren't everywhere, drowning out the vapid clowns that pollute the genre. The debut album, Thrones of Gold, doesn't sound at all like a debut, but rather like a sharp, soulful, and rocking veteran that Darrin James will surely become." -Cowboy Trance (July 2007)
"One track. That’s all it takes to make Darrin James' latest effort worth the entire album. The opening track on his Thrones of Gold, “Trivial,” with all its reckless abandon and rock and roll energy - think The Gourds meet The Faces - is more than worth the price of admission. In this day and age where rock and roll has fallen prey to oh so many gimmicks, its nice to have just one real, raw, rock song.Darrin James does this in just one tune, then shifts gears a number of times, making Thrones one darn fine record."
-Chase Farmer, Honest Tune Magazine (July 2007)
"Thrones of Gold, the debut from the Darrin James Band, is a strong disk the whole way through, incorporating an inspiring variety of musical styles and lyrical themes. With a rugged voice and virtuoso guitar skills, James and his band make the most of his well-written songs."
- Jon Gorey, Dissolver Magazine (April 2007)
"Sort of a mix between Springsteen and Neil Young, they're a rock format that’s highly engaging and completely exhilarating. Vocally it’s throaty and raw but manages to convey a perfect sense of melody. Highly enjoyable and I would most certainly recommend it."
- Smother Magazine (April 2007)
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Hey guys! Check out Kava Kava’s new music video for “Clarity”. We’re really excited about it and the song is awesome! Be sure to check out their Myspace too! http://www.myspace.com/kavakavamusic
Hello Brooklyn!...my trio is playing in Brooklyn this Sunday night @ The Jalopy Theater (315 Columbia St, Red Hook, Brooklyn). Show starts at 8, we play at 9:30. Come by if you can.
