Natasha James is a California-based, up-and-coming singer-songwriter whose music is a blend of different roots genres including country, bluegrass, folk, rock, jazz, blues and even a bit of zydeco, klezmer and norteno. James’ musical influences and interests go way back. Born in San Francisco, she had an interesting childhood.
James was raised in Southern California, Switzerland, Italy and England. She first began performing at the age of 14 appearing in local L.A. blues and jazz clubs. At the age of 16 she would move back to her birthplace. There she would play “the 'folksy' clubs: Coffee Gallery and the Boarding House, among others.”
At 18 she returned to L.A. where she resumed a previously brief modeling and acting career. She studied at Lee Strassberg's and scored various small roles as a character actress. She then relocated to Europe where she would once more get gigs playing and singing a mix of covers and her own material while working on a degree in languages and literature.
She dropped out and moved to the UK where she joined forces with a reggae band playing regularly upstairs at Ronnie Scott's as well as going on tour in northern England. While there she wrote some noteworthy lyrics to a Jeff Hunter tune. That project resulted in her return to Los Angeles to continue to write, record and perform with numerous known and not-so-known musicians.
James was also still regularly working as a model, working in movies across the country and playing her own songs from New York to Los Angeles. She moved to New York City, formed her own band, Good ‘N Dusty, and played at several local clubs. Her music also began getting airplay on both WFMU and Channel J for Videophile.
Presently back in California, James is building a fan base across the nation. In fact, more recently, she has become “a Bay Area staple” doing her thing with other artists covering music from various genres including Americana, bluegrass, blues, funk, jazz and rock. She recalls hearing a famous performer once telling an audience: “I’m not here to entertain you.”
This experience left an impression on her and she assures her fans that she has the right attitude. “I love the feedback and interaction of a live setting. I'll change a set list or do whatever I need to roll with the feel of the crowd or take us on a journey together." James realizes how fortunate she is and states: "I feel so fortunate to do something I love as an artist."
Her 2008 debut disc, Bad Judgements, is now on the state Roots charts and the Roots Country charts. Its 11 cuts includes the title track and lead-in “Bad Judgements”, “Bad judgments with good intentions have been my stock in trade. The warning signs and red flags go unheeded every time I see them at the gate." It also includes a couple of her early favorites “Just Enough and “Hey! Ho!”
Of “Just Enough" James says: "I am most pleased with that one. In fact in all honesty, I'm astonished that I wrote it.” The humorous "Hey! Ho!" was the result of “a tongue-in-cheek exercise”. James admits: "I was performing it as a swing tune and drummer Terry Domingue (Merle Haggard) suggested we perform it with a New Orleans flair – and it worked."
The album includes an assortment of other artists assisting James including: sax player Martin Fierro (Thelonius Monk, Jerry Garcia) and keyboardist Austin Delone. The release birthed the single "The Restless Kind". Some critics compared her voice to the likes of Joan Baez and Janis Joplin and her music to that of Van Morrison.
The single reveals the rebelliousness in James’ soul. She admits: “I don't like a lot of rules. This particular song reflects the stage in my life where I realized I had been blessed and attained many of the things I had desired including a great home in a nice neighborhood and kids that I love.”
James continues: “I had consciously put my music aside to achieve many of these things. But as I moved forward in my life, I missed connecting with people through my music and was becoming . . . restless. My new album has brought me back to my music and my desire to connect with people through my recordings and live performances."
James would continue to write and perform live and in 2009 would release her sophomore CD, Tequila Time. This disc contains 15 cuts of her signature sound of mixed musical genres. As per usual James takes lead vocals and a great deal of the guitar-playing responsibilities.
She is backed by bassist Steve Evans, percussionist Rafael Padilla and drummer Ronnie Rivera. Also appearing on the album is an assortment of additional artists including: Dave Aguilar (Tex Mex guitar, dobro and resonator), Ian Lamson (guitar), Herman Eberitzsch (keyboards, B3 and background vocals), Bobby Black (pedal steel), Woody Vermeire (violin), Ed Roth (piano, B3 and accordion), and Kerry Daly (background vocals). The album opens nicely with “Takes Alotta Love”.
The title track, “Tequila Time”, is reserved for the second slot. Not opening with this one was a brave move as it truly is one of the strongest tracks on the album. This one is highlighted by an almost Latin-like vibe that practically permeates the piece.
“Boy Do We Drink" receives “Critic’s Choice” here. Yeah, it’s pretty much a requirement when you do this kind of music to write one about drinking but this one is different enough to stand apart enough to work. It’s followed by the upbeat “Cheetah On The Run” which features some noteworthy accordion and percussion. Both of these were written by Herman Eberitzsch and arranged by James.
The following cut is “Get Out Of My Way”. This one has an almost Allman brothers-like element to it. It includes Danilo Paiz on percussion as well as Aguilar, Rivera, Andrew Mastroni and Seth Cohn assisting on background vocals.
“Straight To Hell” is another notable number here. This one reveals a bit of a rock influence vaguely reminiscent of early Rolling Stones. It’s one of those songs that is probably even catchier when played live. It leads quickly into “Stuck In Atlanta” on which James hands over the guitar to Aguilar.
The catchy “If You Think This Is Love”, “I Don’t Care” and “Somebody Just Blew It” come next. They provide further evidence of just what James can do. With a voice vaguely sometimes reminiscent of such country great as Loretta Lynn or blues babe Bonnie Raitt, James puts out another fan favorite with “Ain’t Done Nothing Wrong”. This one contains some classic musical elements standard to the genre and yet James makes sure you know it’s her work here.
James further proves her talents with “Fillin’ Station”, "Let Me Cry” and “The Wind”—all of which some online critics enjoyed if not downright praised. The closing cut, “Modern Life” is mentionable for its look at the way we live our lives today. This and many of her other songs include well-known musical elements but largely unique personal viewpoints and observations. “I never intentionally try to pen a tricky hook or intricate melody. I write for myself based on stories that come from my life experiences."
The disc debuted on the Roots Charts at number 19 in the state, number 20 in the US and number 23 internationally. As of this writing, the album was at number one on the Roots Music chart for over 6 months. James has been promoting her music and been featured in such publications as The Sonoma Index Tribune, New Music Weekly and Music Connection.
James took the 2009 Los Angeles Music Awards "Country Album of the Year" for Tequila Time, the "AC New Artist" award from New Music Weekly, and a "Top 100 Artists" “nod” from Music Connection. James took the LAMA's 2010 "Producers Choice: Country Songwriter of the Year" honors. She also interviewed and/or played live on such radio programs as “Mindy's Mix” on KRCB 91.1 FM. She went on an international tour and then headed back into the studio to work on new material.
In fact, she recently released an EP sampler My Country Has The Blues on the Highway One Records label. It includes three of her newest songs: “My Country Has The Blues”, “Angels With Broken Wings” and “Room 203”. The title track is undeniably catchy but also current with a simple yet significant message.
It recently climbed to the top spot on the New Music Weekly/STS Country Main Chart. James commented: “I think it is a timely song for what is happening all around us, and people relate to it instantly. It makes the connection between the way we feel as individuals, and the fact that any country is simply the sum of its individuals, so all hearts do beat as one, which should be an obvious conclusion, so the song cries for a unity which is much needed in these times.”
She added: “It's great to have anumber 1 song,it's always a mystery what is the magic element, so I am happy that ‘My Country Has The Blues’ has resonated with everyone so well.” Ah but “Critic’s Choice” here goes to “Room 203”. It’s nice to hear a country gal not singing a song about how her ex is responsible for her troubles. This one is not your typical country cut about drinkin’ and whorin’.
Finally, James is also up for nomination for consideration for 2 Grammy nominations. James explains: “We are on the Grammy ballot . . . up for Nomination. It is a great honor for “My Country Has The Blues” to be considered for Best Country Song . . . and it is an honor for me to be considered for Best New Artist. It is an honor to be on the Grammy ballot, period. So whatever may come of it, there is only an upside . . .”
The truth is, James not only “ain’t done nothing wrong” but she just may have done something very right.
My name is Phoenix and . . . that’s the bottom line.
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