First/Last-Joshua James

Joshua James

Club Cafe

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Southside

"Raised in hard-bitten Nebraska, Joshua James' work reflects a distinctly American ache, a yearning for a big sky and an open road. Beckoned westward out of his heartland home by the voices of Jim Morrison and Isaac Brock, he made it as far as the mountains of Utah, where like the settlers before him, he was stopped in his tracks by the arresting beauty. Here, where the mountains pierce the heavens, some believe a conduit is open between man and the divine.
Strangely familiar, yet refreshingly innovative, James' songs are devastating in their honesty, working with themes that are intermittently elating, melancholic, and transcendent. He doesn't so much perform these songs, as he does let them possess him, allowing his voice to be throttled from a husky whisper to a full-bodied roar."

You can check out Joshua at his official Website, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and MySpace. He performs tonight at Club Cafe supporting his latest release, "From the Top of Willamette Mountain" on a bill with Isaac Russell. You can also check out a live studio session tomorrow at 1p.m. at WYEP. I want to thank Joshua for taking a few minutes to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Nirvana, “In Utero”.

Your last album bought?
Phosphorescent, "Muchacho".

Favorite album of all time?
The Beatles "Let It Be".

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Rilo Kiley, "Under The Blacklight".

First concert attended?
Modest Mouse.

Last concert?
Father John Misty.

Favorite concert ever?
Father John Misty.

Least favorite concert?
Three Dog Night.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I slept in a girls dormitory my first time playing in Pittsburgh. I think they got into trouble for it.

Thanks, Joshua. Um...how does one get to sleep in a girl's dorm? Sounds like a raunchy '80's teen romp to me.

Image Of The Day-"True Colors"

WYEP 13th Annual Summer Music Festival

Nicole Atkins & The Black Sea

Sarah Harmer

Joshua James

The Boogie Hustlers

Friday June 25, 2010

Schenley Plaza

Oakland

So either file this under the category 'it was inevitable' or the one I prefer, 'what took so long?'. The good folks at WYEP contacted me to help cover their annual music bash in Oakland. What's funny is that I am usually photographing 90% of their events and was going anyway, so it was a no brainer. The weather was perfect and the line-up, although a little obscure, ended up surprising me. It seemed that almost everyone was there to see Sarah, which made sense since she arrived in the biggest bus. Nicole played as a stripped down trio, which she sounded great but didn't bring enough of the rock to justify closing the night. The Boogie Hustlers were good but in the unenviable position of starting the night. Then there was Joshua James. I never heard of the guy and was on the 27th floor of the Catherdral when he started, but man was he good. Not only was he the best performer, he was the nicest to his fans. I say it over and over again, musicians should fall over going out of their way for fans. Loyalty goes on forever in the music biz. More of my photos here on WYEP's Flickr page.

I also want to give a shout out to fellow photog John Altdorfer. He was also asked by YEP to supply photos of the event. He has been really helpful and informative to me over the last year or so and to me, supporting each other is what it's all about.

The above image was obviously not taken by me since I am in it. I added it to comment on how many times I spot myself in other people's pictures at events. When I shoot, I try to be as discreet as possible but sometimes (especially at outdoor events) it's impossible.