Photo of Shayfer James

Shayfer James

Shayfer James Radio

Music

FEATURED SONG
Weight of the World
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Weight of the World
Album:
Released: Nov 29, 2011
Label:

General Info

  • Genre: Folk / Indie / Lyrical

    Location New Jersey, Un

    Profile Views: 71594

    Last Login: 12/29/2012

    Member Since 8/14/2006

    Website www.shayferjames.com

    Type of Label Unsigned

  • Bio

    clothing. Referred to by his rapidly growing group of followers as The Villain King of New Jersey’s underground noirpop music scene, Mr. James is devilishly captivating and deliciously unusual. From the worn bottom of his ripped black boots, to the wrinkled top of his black pinstriped hat, Shayfer James is the portrait of vagabond royalty. A man of bewitching grace, grisly humor, profound story telling, and whiskey-flavored wit. The self defined “spawn of the elephant and the empress”, Mr. James attributes his musical and lyrical abilities to his early exposure to pipe smoke, demons, and jesters” and his oddly chivalrous nature to his life-long apprenticeship to L.V.S.” (his mother's father). When Shayfer James approaches the piano, there is a certain power and mischievous charm that surrounds him. A bewitching sense of foreboding builds as his fingers touch the piano, and as he begins to sing, we are immersed in his darkly lyrical and evocative stories. His wry poetry is stitched seamlessly to peculiar arrangements that are simultaneously unsettling and familiar. Mr. James lures us into a devious world where the gods tear wings from angels and every man has a siren waiting to devour him. Mr. James'’gift for songwriting is singular. The songs on his first full-length album, The Owl & The Elephant range from beautifully sad to frightening and furious, and his performances are tailored to match. His style is theatrical, but never contrived. Performances leave audiences mesmerized by his uncanny ability to access and magnify every corner of his being in a live setting. At times, it seems he might be waging some sort of bizarre internal war with himself, but moments later he is unpredictably personable. Mr. James' raw and ethereal voice floats and staggers across four octaves, and his famously scarred hands traverse black and white keys in a style that is truly his own. Sardonic lyrics and carnivalesque orchestrations define his prolific writing, while recognizably structured and short songs woo the masses with memorable melodies and bone shaking rhythms. The release of The Owl & The Elephant marks the beginning of what will no doubt be a monumental career for an artist worthy of company such as Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, Tom Waits, Shakespeare’s Puck, and Carroll’s Cheshire Cat.

  • Members

    Shayfer James (Vocals, Piano, Organ, Kalimba, Percussion).... Dusty Bones (Drums & Percussion).... Mr. Gillespie (Bass, Percussion, Backing Vocals).... Dante Edmont (Organ, percussion, bgrnd vocals).... Sarah Zar (Saw).... Peter Horn (Violin)

  • Influences

    Whiskey and Wine.. L.V.S... The Elephant.. The Empress..

  • Sounds Like

    Tom Waits and Jeff Buckley collaborating with Danny Elfman and Tim Burton. Or so I'm told.

Comments

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  • We Outspoken

    hey, how are you?

    1 year ago
  • Shayfer James

    Thank you sir!

    2 years ago
  • CL (Christ Lives)

    "WHAT'S YOUR MOTIVE? PLEASE LISTEN, DOWNLOAD, AND SHARE!!

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    God bless!

    2 years ago
  • Stella Black

    Enjoyed your tunes!!! Wishing you abundance and joy in your work!!!

    stellablack.com
    XXX

    2 years ago
  • alan hare

    thanks for add
    great music

    2 years ago
  • Marcelo Martin

    Hi Shayfer. Great music !!!!! beautiful sound !!!!!!! Nice voice !!!!!!!!!!

    2 years ago
  • Anastasia <3

    I did add a song to my playlist :]
    I quite enjoy your music.
    How do I go about buying one of your albums?

    2 years ago
  • Mothers Jam

    Yes good stuff, sounds quite English wot. Your going to have to do a British tour. (Or pay for us to come to the States and see you). We like the discordant arpeggios an that.

    2 years ago
  • Pascal (++ 110 000 visi…

    My dear friend Shayfer !
    As you know it since one week,
    For the second time you are my
    musical "coup de coeur" on my page.
    I hope you'll find the presentation
    pleasant....
    It's my real pleasure to have you as
    a guest on my page for the release of your
    second album !!!!
    And of course a great thanks to Lucy for
    the amazing photos !!!!

    Je vous embrasse
    You friend
    Pascal

    2 years ago
  • Will Dockery

    "The Owl & The Elephant" is a great sounding title, I look forward to finding more out about it!

    2 years ago
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