Aiden James

Here's a great, young artist with a nice accessible folk/rock groove and sensibility, and a bright, sweet voice. I write this review to the established journalists, radio types, venues and festival agents. Please, please, please do not ignore Aiden James. He possesses the energy of Ellis Paul, but enough control to avoid compression in the studio. James doesnt blast us with the kitchen sink, but he's got enough gospel in him to make this reviewer believe he could certainly do it. James definitely has the comfortable rhythm of the "A-list" folk entourage, but he's yet to show up on everybody's house concert bragging rights list. To you concert hosts who are tentative about booking that unknown, I urge you to consider this young player before your audience gets bored with the safe bet rebooking we hosts can so easily fall into.

James has that endearing homeboy quality that he comes by honestly and then presents through the album's simple, understated production. There are no bragging brand studio players here. This is honest work. James handles the mother load of the basic instrumentation with a short list of extras to help him along. The songs are personal, yet universal, and although they may speak loudly to the young, they will whisper sweetly to the old. He is the romantic everyman who isn't afraid to be fragile, and theres no hidden message here. What we hear is what we get. In fact, at times, James' gospel style songs feel like they were written for a vocal ensemble or the local missionary Baptist church choir. In my head, I hear this happening, and I imagine it would burn down the house. If Ruthie Foster ever got hold of an Aiden James tune, this young man would be an overnight folk circuit superstar. In the meantime, those who like a revolution might want to jump on this wagon before it trades up to locomotive status.

Where to purchase: iTunes, CD baby, aidenjamesmusic.com

- Stave Magazine

THE DYNAMIC, HONEY-voiced Aiden James is quickly establishing a name for himself as on of the city's few openly gay singer-songwriters. "I think it's important to celebrate what sets us aside from all the rest," says the Philadelphia resident. "Tons of drag queens and DJ's saturate the area, but the gay songwriter is in short supply."
In recent months, James has begun recording his first album while his song, "Locomotive," has
gotten solid airplay on WXPN 88.5 FM. A fan of open mic nights and small venues, James recently established "Voices To Be Heard"- a concert showcase for other up-and-coming musical talent.
While James' songs are intensely personal, he also casts his musical net over a wide audience, gay
and straight. "It's about sharing and creating what most people can't express themselves."
- Visions Today Magazine

There are plenty of instances where our communities don’t have all our hearts desire. But compared to lots of
places, we’re in good shape.

We could always use more varied resources and new social spaces. We could use a few more allies at bat for us
on the political front. Of course, those of us who want to marry freely still have battles ahead.

But sometimes “if you build it, they will come� isn’t only a line from the movies.

Aston native Aiden James, 23, thought there weren’t enough gay singer/songwriters in Philadelphia. Rather than complain about that feeling of isolation, he did something about it.

James is in the melting pot realm of folksy, homegrown sounds, simple bluesy grooves, groovy blues, gospel and pop. On his Web site, www.aidenjamesmusic.com, you can hear tunes including “Be Just Fine� and “Black Water.�
“Locomotive,� simply recorded with acoustic guitar, harmony, and hand claps has been getting some spins on WXPN-FM 88.5.

“The biggest thing that I’d noticed was that there isn’t much of one,� James said about the gay music scene in
Philadelphia. “I was looking for a mentor, [someone] more local, grass roots. I called some of my friends in New
York City. I said ‘There’s nobody down here.’ Then I got really inspired.�

James got online and met a few people, then he took it to the streets.
“I thought there have to be more [singers] in Philadelphia who are gay ... some poor tranny soul playing bass in
her basement ... I thought I really have to take it by the horns, go to all of these ‘straight’ venues, and just be me,
and hopefully, others will be a little louder and be themselves.�

James is busy recording at Indre Studios for a release likely in the spring — “Unfortunately not in time for Christmas,� he said with a laugh.If you want his acoustic demo while you wait, you’ll just have to go to a show or send him an e-mail. But go to the
show.

It is the energy of live acts that is a big part of a city’s musical pulse, and James has recently been seen at World Café Live, The Fire and New York City’s Rockwood Music Hall.The refusal of out artists of all kinds to stay ghettoized contributes immeasurably to art, and to bridging the
cultural gaps that make the gay-straight disconnect possible.

James manages to stand for the lofty essence of breaking out, while holding onto his initial impulse: sing for other gay folks and be a part of the local experience.“There’s a desire for music by gay artists,� he said. “I really think it’s important to give this to our community. What
better gift to create art as who we are and let others like us enjoy it? When I listen to gay singers, I feel good. Even the little gay milestones that everybody goes through — it’s good to know that [the artist playing the] music I’
m listening to now has been through those.�

James’ short stint in the musical city of New Orleans and personal favorites, including Susan Tedeschi and Ray LaMontagne, influence his work and his live show might even turn up surprise pop medleys from Kelly Clarkson to B.B. King. Look out for this new kid on the block; the University City resident says he plans to stick around.

“Being a singer in Philadelphia is a treat because of the size of the city,� he said. “You can really get your music and style out there, and get a great response. So I’m here, and I’m stayin’!�
- Philadelphia Gay News

Aiden James—featured earlier this month on the cover of the regional LGBT mag Visions—knows all about the power of word-of-mouth buzz. That's why the honey-voiced twentysomething has established what he hopes will be a regular concert concept called Voices to Be Heard: showcasing not only his own insightful folk-pop numbers, but those of like-minded area talents whose energy he digs.
—Nicole Pensiero
- Philadelphia City Paper

Out local singer/ songwriter Aiden James has been honing his craft for quite some time now.

“I used to have a “Muppet Baby� keyboard when I was little,� he said “I remember hearing stuff on the radio and trying to play it — I was always memorizing music and singing whenever I could.�

As 24-year-old James moved beyond his “Muppet Baby� days, he was increasingly pulled toward making music and became involved in his church’s band.

At about 15, he picked up his first guitar.

“I got a chord book and just started hammering away,� he said.

James began writing songs, attending music festivals and listening to artists like Tracy Chapman and Susan Tedeschi, building a firm blues and folk background.

He started gaining name recognition by playing at small venues around the city, and with the financial backing of executive producer Patrick Farley, released his debut album “Have You Ever� in 2006, which was lauded by local music critics.

As James continued to perform, he realized his sexual orientation could help or hinder his career, depending on the situation.

“Being gay has always been a bigger deal for other people than it has for me,� he said. “But I know that it can determine the rooms I’m booked in, and it can even give me a chance that other people might not have. In some ways, it sets me apart from a huge crowd of people with guitars. It can work for or against me. But most importantly, I want people to see me, not my orientation.�

Now, James is working on a new album without the financial backing.

“I’m pretty much on my own on this one,� he said. “I want to wait until it’s complete to give this album a name. I’m trying to keep it as organic as possible.�

James said this album is more mature than his earlier work.

“I wrote a lot of the songs on my other album when I was about 18 or 19,� he said. “There was a lot that I just had to get out — things you go through when you’re growing up at that age. Now I’m at a point where I’m maturing both musically and as a person and I’m aiming toward a sound with a low-fi feel. I want something that’s not overly produced.�

James is presenting an album preview concert at 8 p.m. July 19 at Grape Street Philadelphia, 4100 Main St., Manayunk.

After the venue takes its cut of the $10 admission, proceeds go toward the completion of James’ album, expected out this fall.

“People who come out to the show will get to hear select songs from the new record and some older material too,� he said. “I don’t have the money to complete the album at this point, but I really believe that fans can help, and I’m excited to share my new music and re-declare myself as an artist.�

Anyone who makes a donation of $75 or more will have their name on the inside of the album jacket.

“In coming to this show, people are producing a record and supporting independent music,� James said.

For more information, see www.myspace.com/aidenjames. - Philadelphia Gay News

"such a talented man, and this is a great, great album!"
-Larry Flick SIRIUS Satellite Radio (on air performance with Q&A)

"concert pick of the week"
-Boston Globe

"breathtaking"'
-HX New York City

"super talented"
-SF Chronicle

"honey voiced"
-Philadelphia City Paper

"moody, brilliance"
-Philadelphia Gay News - various newpapers & publications