With a memorable voice and sincere lyrics, Leif James creates original music without sounding recycled. He opts to sing and play from his heart, as he feels there is nothing more enlightening or satisfying than sharing your soul with an audience. When asked to name the influences in his life, Leif James replies, “Everything from whiskey nights and sad luck days, to the smell of a sweet southern wind. “ Leif James listens to the likes of Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Karl Denson, Ben Harper, Tom Waits, and Leo Kotke (to name a few from a long list of timeless artists), but the distinctiveness of his voice eludes any specific comparison.
Hailing from Hamilton, New York, Leif James embarked on an eight-year trek across the United States at the young age of 15. During this time of turmoil and adventure, James picked up a guitar and began to explore his own creativity in an effort to survive, playing street gigs, and later moving into the venue scene with a variety of other players.
Leif James signed with Orbital Sound Records in 2004, and released "Nowhere Town," a CD collection of hometown inspired writing. With chart topping plays in Japan for the single “Dark of Day.” Leif James had been recognized as an active and promising young songwriter and musician. The album is available at www.orbitalsound.biz. The year continued to be busy as Leif participated in the 2004 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial (a program of the Global Health Council) and helped to promote Harmony for Humanity in connection with The Third Annual Daniel Pearl Music Day Network of Global Concerts at the Chautauqua Music Day in Jamestown, New York. Leif has also received special mention by RadioDevil.com for Artistic Efforts and Dedication to The One World Beat Project in helping to raise awareness and funds for children with HIV/AIDS.
Leif James has shared East Coast stages with Michael Glabicki from Rusted Root, and famed bluesman Curtis Crawford and on West Coast Stages with the likes of the legendary Surf gutarist Dick Dale and Dave Matthews cohort, Tim Reynolds. He is now a prominent force in the vibrant new music scene of Central Oregon’s hottest hotspot, Bend, playing at the areas most popular music venues as a solo artist as well as the founding member of his former band Poor Bastards Romance who got voted "Best Band" by the source weekly in 2007.
The album "Live At The Grove" wich was reorded during an opening set for virtuoso guitarist Tim Reynolds, can be found at Ranch Records in Bend.
While Leif James’ young life has been anything but simple, there is a concise wisdom found in his songs reflecting a straightforward attitude toward life.
Leif James: Singer/Songwriter, Guitar, Piano, Boomity Clanks
Management:
Knuckle Productions. Agent: Robby Collins @ 541-408-3137 leifjamesbooking@gmail.com
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A RECENT CD REVIEW FROM THE SOURCE WEEKLY MUSIC ISSUE.
For my money,Leif James and Jared Forqueran's new album,
Live @ the Grove is easily one of the best recordings to come out of Central Oregon this year.
That it’s a live album, recorded during an opening gig for Dave Matthews Band
guitarist and soloist Tim Reynolds, is a testament to the artistic synergy between James (singer, songwriter and guitarist) and Forqueran (drummer), bandmates from the still-new Bend band, Poor Bastard’s Romance.
For our money, the edgier tunes like James’ own “People Watchin’” and an uptempo look at “Rollin’ In My Sweet Baby’s Arms” stand out, but – believe this – it’s all good.
~THE SOURCE WEEKLY
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