Another artist from across the pond! Because I am in no way a writer, here’s James’ words about his music:

“My Uncle used to play the guitar and watching him made me want to learn. I remember him showing me a blues riff which got me started. Id listen to tunes on the radio and try to learn to play and sing along to them. I was about thirteen at this point.

I found that singing and playing guitar was a way for me to release any frustration I had at the time. Not that I couldn’t express myself any other way, just that music has a more powerful way of doing it. I like being creative but it took me a few years of playing other people’s stuff before I could create my own style of songwriting.

I grew up on artists like Otis Redding, Al Green, Cat Stevens, The Kinks and Van Morrison. I always loved songs where the singer would sing with real soul, like they really believed in what they were singing about. Those are the kinds of songs that really stayed with me. I can’t sing a song about something I don’t believe in.”

Current Single: Call the Police

Better Man mp3 - a highly recommended download :) *the link has been updated!*

More vids after the cut

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Marc Broussard

“Broussard’s high octane take-off uses no formula at all. Instead he offers a blend of abilities, styles and enthusiasms uniquely adapted to himself on his debut album, Carencro. He calls himself “a white boy singing soul music.” But that’s deceptive because his music draws from everything he’s absorbed. “I feel like I’ve melded a bunch of things together that people haven’t focused on for a long time.” In his songs can be heard influences and accents ranging from soul men like Stevie Wonder and Brian McKnight to Louisiana icons like Johnny Allan and G.G. Shin to road warriors like Dave Matthews.

What the 22-year old Broussard takes from all of this is a sense of craft and above all, great depth of feeling. That’s what makes him so soulful. Well, that and his husky baritone with a range similar to Wonder, or another influence, Donny Hathaway. Like them, Broussard moves up and down the scales without any sign of effort—the hard work he puts into his music isn’t meant to show. When it comes to music, Broussard is like a bayou rendition of The Natural.’ -Official Site

‘Home’

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Paolo Nutini

“Born and raised in Paisley, Scotland, Paolo Nutini is a 19-year-old singer/ songwriter blessed with a soulful, passionate voice and the natural gift of being able to tell a story in a song. Like many of the truly inspired singer/songwriters before him, Nutini has absorbed the soul of classic artist from both sides of the Atlantic and channeled it into something original, captivating, and dynamic.

Despite their Italian name, the Nutini family has lived in Paisley, Scotland for at least four generations. Paolo’s great-grandfather opened the fish and chip shop in Paisley which his parents now run. Paolo’s musical education began with his late grandfather, who introduced him to Scottish folk songs as well as a wide range of other styles.” - Glasgow Daily Record

Of course, his cd isnt avalible in the states yet - but give him about a year and I’d be he’ll be pretty big. Here’s his first single from his cd: Last Request

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