Independent troubadour Shawn James is currently touring in support of his latest album, The Dark & The Light. The Dark & The Light is the fourth album from James and his most fully-realized work to date. Its overall theme is turning darkness into light, which he has always strived to do with his music, while hoping to inspire others to do so as well.
Catch James at The Southgate House Revival on Friday, September 27th!
James has always been inspired by various genres of music, from blues and gospel to rock and R&B. On The Dark & The Light, his honest and heartfelt lyrics are shaped by life experiences, including forcibly becoming part of the Pentecostal church in his youth and enduring the loss of a loved one. Despite these darker undercurrents, themes of hope and love are always present throughout. James’ incredible range and falsetto, while conveying the emotional weight associated with such loss and longing, is truly impressive. A gifted vocalist who studied opera and classical, James was a standout while singing in gospel choirs as a kid and with his voice, he possesses a remarkable instrument that is equally powerful and commanding as it is soulful and nuanced.
Shawn James has been an independent musical force who has flown under the mainstream radar since his debut solo album in 2012. He tours extensively, playing 150+ shows annually in the U.S. and overseas, with fans continuing to connect with his genuine songwriting and his DIY ethos. His music has generated over 85 million streams and his songs have been heard on television (HBO’s Shameless), in commercials (Harley Davidson) and even in video games (The Last Of Us, Part II). Fiercely independent, James accomplished all of this without a label, marketing team, publicity, promotion or even management.
