Early James
Singer-songwriter Early James was born and raised in Alabama. He got his first guitar at age 16 and wrote his first songs shortly thereafter. The first influences on his music were (in his words) James Taylor and Johnny Cash, but he also listened to Hank Williams, Tom Waits and Bob Dylan.
In later years he also discovered influences from blues, folk, rock and classic country. He put all of these into his music and expanded upon it even more with inspiration from bluegrass and alt.country.
His career really took off when he was discovered by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, who produced Early James’ debut album “Singing for My Supper” (2020). This album was followed two years later by “Strange Time to Be Alive”. James is praised for his raw, soulful voice and his songs vary from intimate, lonely blues and jazzy, romantic folk to bombastic murder ballads.
In 2025 his latest album “Medium Raw” came out. Early James is going to tour as the support act for The Red Stray Clays and will stop by for a headline show in Merleyn along the way.
