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.
“My Country Has the Blues,” a stirring ballad by respected Americana/Roots artist Natasha James, has gone to #1 on the New Music Weekly/STS Country Main Chart.
James is up for consideration for two 2012 Grammy nominations - “Best Country Song” for “My Country Has the Blues;” and “Best New Artist.”
In “My Country Has the Blues,” James once again shows us she has her finger on the pulse of the human condition, with lyrics as insightful as they are timely and universal, and married to an infectious musical track guaranteed to have you singing along, with the words running in your head long after the song has ended.
Valley Scene Magazine recently interviewed James about her new single going to #1, her Grammy nomination prospects and more.
VSM: Congratulations on your new single “My Country Has the Blues” reaching #1 on the Country Charts! How did that come to happen?
NJ: Thank you. 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. It's great to have a #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.
VSM: You're also up for nomination for consideration of 2 Grammy nominations. Discuss this process?
NJ: Well, we are on the Grammy ballot along with many other great artists, all of us up for Nomination. The voting members of NARAS have until Nov. 2nd to vote for the final Nominees. Of those Nominees, a few will walk away with a Grammy. It is a great honor for MY COUNTRY HAS THE BLUES to be considered for Best Country Song, that is a tough category, 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 to being here.
VSM: During the course of your career, who are some of the artists who you count as your main influences?
NJ: There are a vast gamut of them in many different styles of music, which is reflected in the strains I blend together...like making a good balanced wine, I suppose. Van Morrison, Tom Petty, Jackson Browne, Jerry Jeff Walker, Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, Neil Young, Stones...I think anyone's list could fill up many pages, and these are the first coming to mind.
VSM: What is the music business like today compared to when you started out (compare and contrast the differences)?
NJ: Records sold. Radio hits generated record sales. There was a budget for projects and labels had room for what I will call their “middle class” or genre-specific (read: Roots or simply “not Pop”) artists. There were record stores where you would go to listen and bring home an album. An album was a complete statement, with room for great artwork, liner notes, history and commentary; fitting all that magic into the space allotted for a CD is challenging, and we have lost a lot of that intimate connection because of it. We used to think in terms of a complete package, sequencing the songs for a great flow. We still do that, but with the return to the singles market via download sales, even full CD's might be on their way out in favor of a short 5 or 6 song EP with more frequent release dates possibly. Who knows... certainly we are trying out a lot of different ideas at this time.
There is always opportunity in a reshuffling business paradigm, and we have yet to see where that will lead us as writers and artists and labels. Music is certainly more accessible to everyone now, and in some ways the internet stations are to music what FM Radio used to be, except with FM radio there were limitations, and those limitations were the conduit, and now with Internet radio there is no conduit. There is a lot out there, but hard to find it all. There is a huge demand for quality music away from what Mainstream, short playlist radio is giving people and internet radio is doing it, satellite stations as well, and this is where people go. They DO know the difference between music that has soul in it and music that does not, and they WILL seek it out. These are the fans that seek out an artist and support that artist with their enthusiasm, dedication, festival/show attendance, and CD purchases. They are also the fans that will download singles to their mobile devices. There is an audience, there is a market, and there is tons of talent...now there are more outlets than ever...and the confusion will be in learning how to find and use them.
VSM: With all your recent success and momentum, where do you see your career going, moving forward?
NJ: I see myself doing the same thing I have always done...writing songs, recording songs,playing for people, selling songs, placing songs...hopefully just with more opportunities to do so and a little more budget to do it with. In the immediate future, finishing the MY COUNTRY HAS THE BLUES CD, and getting that ready to release. I am looking to move forward regarding shooting the video for MY COUNTRY HAS THE BLUES. With Tequila Time, we shot 3 videos before the record was released. This time, the single is released and is now at #1, so quickly, and we do need the video. After My Country Has the Blues is finished, there are a couple of EP packages I would like to put out, and our hat is in the ring for a few projects we'll just keep on doing what we do.
Perhaps it's the timing, given the challenging condition our economy is currently in; then again, it could simply be the quality of the song itself. Or maybe it's a little of each. Either way, the politically- and socially-charged new single from Natasha James, "My Country Has The Blues," (Highway One Records), released to national and international radio to coincide with Independence Day, became the #1 Most Added Single to Radio shortly after its July 1 release. Adding to her already high profile in the Country/Americana world,Music New Nashville profiled James in a Cover Story ("Natasha James - An American Troubadour") this past June. At the same time, James' critically-acclaimed, award-winning 2009 album, "Tequila Time" has been at #1 on the respected Roots Music Report Roots Country Internet Chart for almost four months! Produced in conjunction with Stephen Hart (White Stripes, Neville Brothers, John Lee Hooker) at The Site Recording in Marin County, engineered by Ronnie Rivera, and mastered by multiple Grammy winner Dave Reitzas (Barbara Streisand, Barry Manilow) at Westlake Studios in Los Angeles, "My Country Has The Blues" is a timely anthem for what is happening all around us in our country, a catchy tune with James' unique Americana blend of country, blues, roots, and rock.
Natasha James is an American troubadour in the purest sense of the word. The Sonoma, California-based singer-songwriter emotes from her soul and approaches her material with an authenticity and grit that harbors no pretense or fabrication. She speaks the truth and her songs are vibrant and illustrious stories that are as compelling as those of Woody Guthrie, Lucinda Williams or Gram Parsons, of whom she is often compared.
James has also served as a musical ambassador, of sorts, recently taking herself and guitarist James Harman over to Europe for some select dates this past February. “Many years ago I toured there in the ‘70s,” says James. “I was really happy to go back because it had been so long. Back then there were borders between the countries and there was none of that now. I loved performing in Germany and European audiences, period, are right there with their fans; they’re really enthusiastic. They buy merchandise and we had fans that downloaded my pictures from the web and printed them on 8×10 paper for me to autograph. Of course, I brought 8x10s for them anyway but their enthusiasm was really great!”
The duo recorded a club date in Mannheim, Germany that is slated for upcoming release on a German label. And the gracious fair-haired James had nothing but great things to say about her touring counterpart. “He turned 21 on the plane flying over to Paris,” says James of guitarist James Harman. “He’s a seasoned musician who’s a monster player. I have no doubt that by the time he’s 35 he’s gonna be a world wide household name. Watch out for him!”
Back in the states the soulful and smoky voiced James has been hard at work devoted to putting the finishing touches on her upcoming album and single My Country Has the Blues. It is a cleverly crafted title in that her original sound has historically been a seamless blend of country and blues. From earlier albums like Bad Judgements to her previous award-winning effort Tequila Time, James has always found a home in both worlds. But with My Country Has the Blues there is a deeper irony and meaning behind her lyrical and musical content.
“I get put on a lot of country stations and a lot of blues stations too,” explains James. “There’s really not that much difference between the two when you think about it. You put a slide guitar, harmonica and a B3 organ in there and it’s a blues tune. You add a fiddle and a pedal steel and it’s country. So I thought ‘my country has the blues.’ But then, of course, I thought about all that was happening with our nation.” James’ manager actually encouraged her to express some of the concepts and ideas they had talked about in conversations regarding world events and including them in a song.
James’ odyssey toward the making of this album intersected the perfect storm of visual art paired with socio-political commentary and personal enlightenment. Following a return from a gig at the Ensenada Jazz Festival, James was driving home on California’s I-5 freeway when she stopped for dinner at a place called Harris Ranch. The restaurant’s orange crate art on the walls became the inspiration for her upcoming album’s vintage looking cover.
“I thought cover art in that style would echo back to America during the depression and back to the land,” says James. “From fruit pickers on up—we are all part of this human equation and part of this country. And I get so tired of people that wanna spread hatred and point fingers that will divide and tear us apart as a nation.”
The country-blues chanteuse pauses thoughtfully and then continues, “I don’t care if they are from the Tea Party or if they’re right or left wing. I do care if they’re committed to making this world a better place for each and every one of us. I wanted to galvanize people and get them to work together in a conscientious fashion.”
James has always addressed various aspects of the human condition in her songs but there is a passion and purpose to My Country Has the Blues that is personally unprecedented for her. There is a maturity and evolution in her sound that is at the fore.
“I’ve been talking to a lot of people that I know from every political persuasion and everyone thinks they have the ticket to heaven (laughs),” says James. “I say the only ‘ticket’ here is let’s work together as a nation and let’s put this back together again. That is what the song is about. And it all ties back to the cover art—make this country remember its roots and remember where it’s been. Everybody whines so much. We need less whining and a little more action!”
The album My Country Has the Blues will feature many of the same people James has been working with for years now including engineer and drummer Ronnie Rivera, bassist Steve Evans, keyboardist Herman Eberitzsch, lead guitarist/backing vocalist James Harman, guitarist/backing vocalist Dave Aguilar, flautist/backing vocalist Mindy Canter, backing vocalist Russ Whitehead and backing vocalist Kerry Daly. It is produced in conjunction with Stephen Hart (White Stripes, John Lee Hooker, Neville Brothers) and mastered by four-time Grammy winner Gavin Lurssen at the Site Recording in Marin County, California.
This album also has an interesting subtext to it that was naturally born out of James’ own personal challenges and struggles. “This record unintentionally has a spiritual feel to it,” explains James. “I was dealing with some serious health issues and am out the other side now. But when you get critically ill you really get taken down to what is really valuable in your life. For me it was my children, my family, leaving behind a legacy of good music and making time for the people I care about. So at the same time the country was going through these blues I was going through some of them myself. I recorded the album with double pneumonia and a collapsed lung. But, you know what; all the scratch vocals are the ones I’m using on the record. It’s what it is and it’s good, it’s real.”
And, when referencing Natasha James and her material, “real” is most certainly the optimum word here. Much of My Country Has the Blues are songs about everyday people and their striving to live better lives and improve. This is illustrated most beautifully in songs like “Angels with Broken Wings.” It’s about all of us trying to be the best we can be but still riddled with many flaws. In it she writes: “ I see that glimmer of hope in each and every eye/it’s a window to the soul/we keep passing like ships just out of sight/and we try and we try and we love so strong/hoping that by and by we’ll get it right not wrong.” Another new song “It’s Really Over” addresses the fracturing of a relationship with a rare depth and poignancy as James states: “We’ve been rude and too polite/we’ve been wrong and we’ve been right/what we haven’t been is here in some time. That’s when you know it’s really over for sure, when you don’t want to even argue anymore. And then, of course, there is the single and title track of James’ new album “My Country Has the Blues” which at its core states: “My country has the blues/she’s just like me and you/she’s trying hard but she’s confused/we better help her to get through/instead of standing on the sidelines, we better get some guidelines/instead of criticizing, we better start uniting.”
“Much of the new album is observational,” explains James. “I get so annoyed because a lot of people’s writing is all I…I…I! You wanna tell them please go get a diary and shut up (laughs)!”
Natasha James upcoming album My Country Has the Blues—featuring cover art by Don Ponte from a photograph by Raymond Van Tassel—is slated for release in September 2011. The single is being released to radio as we speak.
“I’ve got the same team on this record I’ve been working with and that’s nice because everybody knows the kinds of sounds and tones you’re going for from jump,” concludes James. “This album will be even rawer than the last one.”
Listen to David Mobley's recent interview with friend and super Singer/Songwriter Natasha James - winner of the 19th Annual Los Angelas Music Awards "Country Album of the Year" for her huge hit CD "Tequila Time"!
Musician, Singer, Songwriter Natasha James speaks to our Sarah Emily for TellThemCountry.com
By Tell Them Country - March 3, 2011
Hailing from Northern California, Natasha James has definitely been making herself known! Not only with her album, Tequila Time still going strong, debuting at #20 on the Roots Chart and staying on the chart for 14 months, she is now embarking on a new European Tour. With her mix of country and bluesy rock, this woman is certainly one to look out for.
Natasha has very kindly taken some time out though, to do a special interview just for Tell Them Country, telling us all about her new tour, the ever strong album and what her hopes are for 2011...................
Who were your idols when you were young? Who/What inspired you??
I didn't really have idols. When I was very young, I listened, played and sang to the records my mother had around the house, which was mostly old folk music, both American and Irish, and old blues. So, Susan Reed, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Bessie Smith, Odetta, Nina Simone...then when I was older, I of course listened to what was then rock and roll, mostly: The Lovin Spoonful, Buffalo Springfield, the Stones, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Janis, Jimi...I think our generation was shaped by Dylan, Janis and Jimi and the grand backdrop being the Beatles and Stones.
I have always like the swampy side of country and blues and that comes out in Tequila Time, and actually, that is my favourite rock as well...my favourite Stones albums are Exile on Main Street and Beggars Banquet, which have allot of that. I love Lynnyrd Skynnyrd, The Allman Bros, ZZ Top, then the mellow stuff like John Prine, Robert Earl Keen and my latest favourite, Amos Lee.
You write your own music and lyrics, where do you get your ideas? What kind of process do you use, if any, when writing?
Usually I have an idea for a song and out it comes. Alot of songs I have written in the shower then quickly gotten to my guitar and worked it out...choruses, bridges, little riffs with the melody and lyrics...some I have written on the piano, but none of those have made it to vinyl. (yet) Sometimes I have awakened with a song running through my head and sometimes I am driving in my car and out it comes...there is really no process. Some songs have been around half-baked for years and eventually come out, some have been combined to make one good song...I prefer the ones that just pop out - but don't we all?
My ideas? An amalgam of my own life, people around me, it all melds into one - always there is a preoccupation with what makes us tick, what makes us feel.
I try to make sure the song has good movement, that it doesn't stall or lose energy in the wrong places; that's a feel thing. It has got to be charged from beginning to end. I can be pretty ruthless editing myself. It is hard to edit out a great bit that is unnecessary for the song. I try to remember those little ditties cause maybe I can use them somewhere else.
You are currently on tour? Are there any places you are really looking forward to going?
I just got back from Europe and I had not been since before the Euro. It was really strange, no borders on the trains...I look forward to everywhere. It is always exciting to discover new things in a city or town each time you go and I look forward to the next time we are back, hopefully for a 2 month tour with a few days off to look round. Touring is a strenuous undertaking and it is hard to get to see all you want to in a place and do your job as well.
Tell us a bit about your newest album, Tequila Time? What can people expect and look forward to from this album?
Tequila Time has actually been out awhile now and has stayed on the charts over 14 months with some record numbers. According to the reviews, it is a solid disc and I get compared to Gram Parsons frequently, which is a huge compliment. It is solid bluesy country rock and borrowing from some old Delta traditions, and my influences from the likes of John Lee Hooker, etc...AINT DONE NOTHIN WRONG which is really all in one key, only I am riding the A string down under that constant E string D string rhythm creating the tension of movement, the illusion that it is more than a one chord song. That was quite typical in old blues player’s songs.
You were recently award the producer’s choice, Country Songwriter of the Year. How did you feel about that??
It is always great to win any award, but a Songwriter Award is particularly dear to my heart. It feels so much more worthwhile when people really notice the songs. When I got back off the road, my family had hung the gold awards on the wall of our rehearsal room, that was a really cool feeling, seeing them all in a row, hung up. Gave me heart, like what I was doing was important to them, too.
And finally, what does 2011 hold for you? What are you looking forward to? What are you NOT looking forward to? Plans? Dreams? Hopes? Fears?
I have a new record coming out, My Country Has The Blues, and am right now working on a new distribution deal for this plus the 2 prior records which should bring a little more light to our work, specifically in the UK. Wish me luck!
I lived in London years ago and would love to return with this next CD. Also, I have been asked to write for various reality TV shows and I hope that my material continues to draw interest for the shows and that we get more and more placements.
My hopes? That my family and I are happy and healthy and make wise decisions with not just music but our lives as well. I hope that we as a species get a handle on our treatment of each other and the planet. I hope to write songs that continue to resonate for people and feed their hearts, souls and minds. I hope to be able to remain healthy enough to tour widely so I can play for the people that want to come see me, that have written asking me to please play their town, their country etc..It is a big beautiful world; I would love to see as much as possible in my lifetime and play as many wonderful places as become available for me to do.
Thank you for the opportunity to answer these questions. Your readers are welcome to write to me anytime. I have a mailing list at www.reverbnation.com/natashajames, and I do write back!
Brett Walkow, comedian, MC's the show. James Harman accompanies Natasha James on guitar on a few numbers, interlaced with some funny tales Brett got out of Natasha.
Los Angeles Music Awards Voting Party
Live Interview of Natasha James by Anu Sood - www.rockaholicz.com
October 7, 2010
Recorded by Anu Sood @
Whisky A Go Go, West Hollywood, CA
Natasha James, a singer-songwriter from Northern California, is a rising artist on the Americana music scene. Her debut album, Bad Judgements, features rock, country, bluegrass, and blues persuasions. Her sophomore release, Tequila Time, debuted on the Roots Charts at #20 in the country. We talked tequila, travel, and more in our Q&A with her:
NCC: What was it like to begin playing and singing in blues clubs at age 14?
NJ: It really didn't feel like anything out of the ordinary; it was just what I was doing. I had always been entertaining people- at school when I was eight I would play for them, then as kids at the beach we would make up jingles and dances for commercials and perform them for the adults at cocktail hour...that's just what we did. I did get to perform alot of 20's & 30's blues: Sippie Wallace, Bessie Smith, stuff I was listening to at the time.
NCC: What made you pursue music instead of an acting/modeling career?
NJ: Really I was never interested in modelling as a career. My mother got me started in it when I was 4; I liked the clothes, but I was always happy to take them off and put on sweats! As for acting, well acting was the world that I was surrounded in and I enjoyed it - I write character-driven plays and short stories - but it did not pull me in the way music always did. You know, just because you have a talent for something, people think you ought to do it, and that is certainly what my mother had in mind for me. I would not say that I pursued music either, it is just what I always have to do. I would say that music pursued me and I give in. I love music, I can't not write, and I can't leave it alone. My relationship with music is like with a lover: can't live with it; can't live without it.
Facts in Five with Natasha James
By Outlaw Magazine - June, 2010
Northern California Songstress, Natasha James, is making a name for herself in the Roots Music Scene. With a unique blend of bluesy rock, country and even flavors of bluegrass, James' grooves compliment her salty and sultry vocals. Her latest effort, Tequila Time, debuted on the Roots Charts t #20 in the country, #19
in the California, and #23 Internationally. She's the first Artist to participate in Outlaw's new Facts in Five series where OM asks five questions to gain a quick look into the life on an Artist.
OM: What Artists have had the most influence in your music?
NJ: My greatest influences musically (early on) were: Bob Dylan, for writing, I used to be an anthology of his songs - knew all the lyrics to Desolation Row, etc. Jerry Jeff Walker, John Prine, Jesse Colin Young (matter of fact, I named a band of mine in NYC years ago, Good 'N Dusty, after the title of one of his albums), and Neil Young. Musically, probably Taj Majal, Brownie McGee and Sonny Terry, also Lovin' Spoonful, Van Morrison, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Roger Miller, and Traffic. Vocally, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Nina Simone, Bessie Smith...and later on, Janis Joplin and Linda Ronstadt.
OM: What age did you start writing?
NJ: I started writing at around 13 but nothing I wanted to save. I sold my first song at 19 or 20. I was living in London; I co-wrote the tune with Jeff Hunter, Tab Hunter's son, who was in L.A. After that, I moved back to LA for awhile.
OM: How do you feel about the overproduced commercial music of today?
NJ: I don't think of it as music. I think of it as a presentation. A conceptual product layered by a team of industry marketers ostensibly designed to be commercially successful. I question its' viability on any level without the vast sums of marketing dollars pumped into these "projects."
OM: Any plans to tour Texas anytime soon?
NJ: I would LOVE to tour Texas anytime!! Matter of fact, this has been on my radar for quite awhile. My dobro player, David Aguilar, is from Texas (he also did the tex-mex leads on my CD Tequila Time and will be on the new song I am laying down, Room 203). He has played the Kerrville Folk Festival several years running with Norton Buffalo.... this is something I would love to be part of! I have always had Texans in my line-up, seems like the cats that get what I am about musically. are always from Texas.
OM: What inspires you?
NJ: I am inspired by that which depresses me and that which gives me hope. So much of the greatness of the human spirit is revealed in times of plenty as well as times of deprivation. Perhaps the human spirit is just as tough to sustain in times of plenty as distractions can be a persons' undoing. We have all written about rising from the ashes; perhaps I should write a tune about rising from the riches...so many fall so hard there. Hmm... I will revisit this thought with a cup of black tea and an English muffin. Lately, I have a few musical pieces roaming around my fingers with no lyrics, which is unusual. I was told I started talking at six months old and haven't shut up since...maybe I'm getting quieter now.
Up & Coming New Nashville - Natasha James (with Exclusive Interview)
By That Nashville Sound - Monday, April 26, 2010
Natasha James is known for taking Roots music styles, turning them on their head, combining them, and coming out with tunes that are completely unique but totally familiar at the same time.
On her debut album, Bad Judgements, she had the pleasure of working and recording with old friend and monster sax player, Martin Fierro (Thelonius Monk, Jerry Garcia, Zero) and renowned keyboardist Austin Delone, among other stellar talents. That CD launched the hit single, "The Restless Kind," (#10, ACQB), and got her music compared to Van Morrison (Americana Media Guide, Aug 2008) and her voice to Janis Joplin crossed with Joan Baez (Music Connection).
Tequila Time, the latest release from this prolific troubadour from Northern California, finds her once again pushing the edges of the Roots Americana movement, and upping the rock ante. Natasha James once again has some stellar musicians in her line-up. They recorded 17 songs in 4 days, including getting tones, she said on KRCB in an interview and live performance this month (Mindy's Mix, KRCB, 91.1 FM, Rohnert Park, CA). Players include Dave Aguilar (Norton Buffalo), with whom she did a duet that night, Ian Lamson (Elvin Bishop), Steve Evans (Coco Montoya, Elvin Bishop), Herman Eberitzsch (Malo, Lee Oskar), and Woody Vermeire (Commander Cody), all engineered by Ronnie Rivera, who also plays the drums in this stellar line-up.
This band gets people up on their feet from rock, country, bluegrass and blues persuasions, all knocked out by the originality of the tunes and the quality of James' voice; at times like Bonnie Raitt, at times like Janis Joplin and Emmylou Harris (Music Connection). We saw kids as young as 15 outside a club stop and stare in at the windows, swaying to a James' original! While the record is great, the live performance is where this band shines...these guys are players, and it shows.
Tequila Time debuted on the Roots Charts at #20 in the country, #19 in the state and #23 internationally. Not bad for a sophomore record.
Natasha James has just been officially nominated in the "Country Artist of the Year" category for the 20th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards....taking place in November at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, Calif. Natasha won "Country Album of the Year" last year at the 2009 L.A. Music Awards for Tequila Time.
NATASHA JAMES Interview, December, 2009
By Shauna O'Donnell - MUEN Magazine
WHO AND WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR MAJOR INFLUENCES WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR SONG WRITING?
Bob Dylan, certainly. His lyrical stream of consciousness made an indelible impression on me as a young person, I am speaking of his early material, Nashville Skyline, Blonde on Blonde. Jackson Browne, melodically and instrumentation and mood; John Prine, the master of the character driven song; Van Morrison, for the space in the music. It is so easy to make it cluttered, and what makes his stuff work so well is he gives it space; The Rolling Stones, for those interweaving guitar parts and background gospel harmonies on rock tracks with countryfied licks. We could stay in this question a LONG time...Little Feat, in particular, my friend and idol, Richie Hayward, who inspired my song, Get Out Of My Way, the drum arrangement, dropped beat, or bar of 3, whatever you want to call it. His drumming inspired that tune.
Natasha James, a singer-songwriter from Northern California, is a rising artist on the Americana music scene. Her debut album, Bad Judgements, features rock, country, bluegrass, and blues persuasions. Her sophomore release, Tequila Time, debuted on the Roots Charts at #20 in the country. We talked tequila, travel, and more in our Q&A with her:
Northern California Songstress, Natasha James, is making a name for herself in the Roots Music Scene. With a unique blend of bluesy rock, country and even flavors of bluegrass, James' grooves compliment her salty and sultry vocals. Her latest effort, Tequila Time, debuted on the Roots Charts t #20 in the country, #19 
