Happy Jack Frequency is the solo project of New Orleans musician James Martin. Still in his early 20’s, James has earned his stripes by performing on three different continents and forty-two of the fifty United States of America. In addition to his experience, James also has had the advantage of working alongside greats such as Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, and Lenny Kravitz for example. His last gig included tours and studio work as a founding member of the New Orleans favorite, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave.
It was during this time that James honed himself as a performer and a songwriter. He made it his challenge to captivate the crowd when he took the stage to perform but to also captivate them with the words and music of his songs. “When I was a little kid, I would put on shows for my family. My grandmother would announce me and I would run down the hall into the living room to sing and dance to a record” Nothing much has changed in the past 20 years or so and James always knew that he would be on stage one day singing his own songs to large crowds. This is something James considers a true blessing.
A studious performer, James has evolved into a charismatic front man; a skill that rivals only his crafty songwriting. “On the current release which I made at Music Shed Studios with Grammy Award winning Chris Finney, many of the songs were written between the years of 2005 up till the beginning of 2009. And so much of what I was going through during those times, Hurricane Katrina, love, pain, heartbreak, fighting back through marathon running and marathon music making… all these concepts find their ways into the lyrics and context.”
Interestingly enough, James always asks for outside opinions for the full demos of the songs he’s currently writing as part of his creative process. By the end of 2008, James had amassed about 3 albums worth of material which he decided to cut down to 1 album to record professionally in a top notch studio. Having already been through the recording process for the self made demos, James went into the studio and recorded all the various parts and instruments himself minus most of the percussion which was done by in the demand studio drummer Joey Peebles.
The result exceeded James’ expectations and so suddenly what was to be a songwriting demo became a full blown album. As James began shopping around his album looking for shows and opportunities the question would always arise “The band sounds amazing, what’s the name, and who else is playing?” Humbly James would reply, “Well, aside from some of the drum parts, it’s just me”. But all this was about to change. James hired his long time bassist friend Matthew Sexton to fill the bottom, guitarists Matt Clark and John Marcey to make the songs shine, and drummer Eric Heigle to help put that tap in your foot.
Now a full four piece band playing all of James’ original music plus several great covers, Happy Jack Frequency has been tearing up local New Orleans Venues such as Tipitinas, One Eyed Jacks, Howlin’ Wolf, and the Blue Nile.
Happy Jack Frequency offers an intoxicating hit of energy both prevalent in their music and live shows. With a genuine and honest combination of pop rock and electronic, Happy Jack Frequency delivers a can't miss sound.
James Martin - Happy Jack Frequency's Friend Space (Top 15)
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Hey James. I have to tell you that your music is pretty amazing! I'm so proud of you. You have come such a long way since high school. Keep it up buddy! I would definitely jam to your songs on the radio.
JAAAAAAAAMEZ!!!!!!!! WHAT UP DAWG!!!!!!!????? GOOD TIMEZ... GOOD TIMEZ.... UP AT THE DUCATI SHOP AND BOUT TO JET AND TRY TO KOCK OUT SOME ERRANDZ! LET ME KNOW WHEN YA GOT GIGS SO I CAN HANG AND PARTY FA THE CAUSE!!
How's it going? I know its been awhile, but I hope you are doing well. I dont know what brought me to your page but I am glad I checked it out. I am happy to finally get to hear some of what you were working on last time we saw each other. It is incredible!! I would love to hear the whole album. Btw, your voice is absolutely extrodinary on the few tracks you have posted. Anyway congratulations on everything...and I hope to hear the rest of what you have been working on soon.
