Artist Information
Biography
Following the release of his critically acclaimed debut CD, Sixes & Sevens, Austin, TX based singer-songwriter James Speer is back in the studio recording the beginnings of his much anticipated next album, Soul Sessions.
While Sixes & Sevens delivers a powerful blend of straight rock, pop, and alternative music, Soul Sessions takes Speer's piano-driven songs to the next level with the addition of soul, funk and pop elements to create a thoroughly modern R&B sound.
Influenced by the progressive approaches of bands like Jamiroquai, Beck, Peter Gabriel, and Sting, Speer's music is charged with a compelling mix of spirit, soul, and depth that electrifies both audiences and critics alike. The combination of dynamic chord progressions and hook-like rhythms create a brand of music that is at once cutting-edge and accessible.
A musician known and respected by his peers, Speer has performed and recorded with some of Austin's best-known acts, including Bob Schneider, Monte Montgomery, Vallejo, George Devore, the Scabs, M.C. Overlord, Malford Milligan, and Tyrone Vaughn.
Following the completion of Soul Sessions, Speer will reside in Los Angeles, CA as he begins promotion of the album.
The album Sixes & Sevens is distributed nationally by Burnside Distribution Corporation and can be found on iTunes.com, Amazon.com, CDBaby.com and other digital download sites.
Highlights --
**Two tracks from the Sixes & Sevens album ('It Would Seem' and 'Already Gone') were recently featured on FX network's Golden Globe award winning show "The Shield."
**James Speer was named BEST MALE VOCALIST at the 2004 JUST PLAIN FOLKS MUSIC AWARDS in Beverly Hills, Ca, where his album Sixes & Sevens also came in 3rd in the BEST ROCK ALBUM category and 4th in the BEST MODERN ROCK SONG category with the Sixes & Sevens track 'Already Gone.'
**Sixes & Sevens tracks 'Already Gone' and 'Blue Bowl' have each been named TRACK OF THE WEEK by audiences of Garageband.com. Several other songs from Sixes & Sevens have won awards on the site including BEST MALE VOCALS and BEST KEYBOARDS. www.garageband.com/artist/jamesspeer
**James Speer showcased at the SXSW MUSIC CONFERENCE & FESTIVAL 2004 in Austin, TX and was named as one of Miller High Life's TOP 50 IN SHOW.
**James Speer showcased at the CMJ MUSIC MARATHON 2003 in New York, NY.
**Several songs from Sixes & Sevens have appeared among the TOP 3 RADIO CHART RANKINGS in multiple college markets across the U.S. and Canada.
**Sixes & Sevens was named the 4th BEST ALBUM of 2003 by the Austin Chronicle.
**James Speer has been featured on the 'Local Licks Live' program of Austin, TX radio station KLBJ FM, on the 'Tex-Mix' program on Austin, TX television station ME Television, and has been profiled in a feature article by the Austin, TX lifestyle magazine 512.
Website
http://www.jamesspeer.net
Discography
Sixes & Sevens - Full length CD - 2003
This is so not you in one of those pictures I tagged of you! I'm so sorry! It was late last night when I was tagging these! Ugh, I hate when people do that to me, my bad!
i missed you saturday. hope all is well. i'm gonna come see you this month for sure!!! are you ever gonna come to dallas to play? muah! love you, love your sixes and sevens
Hey man!! We sure missed seeing you with Vallejo Saturday night at Firewater. Can't wait for next time! We hope you are doing well, it sure looks like you are keeping busy. How is the house coming? Keep in touch! Here is a fun pic for ya...
Hope you can catch some of the CD release activity this week. Thurs Feb 14 free show at Waterloo Records 5pm sharp. Friday morning live on KGSR 9:15am.
