Ceri James

Ceri James grew up in Swansea South Wales. Most of his family are Welsh but he was born in Fulham London and has been living in the Capital since 1996. At the moment he lives in South East London.

He joined a school band at the age of 15 called Gwylan and after finishing University and a number of different jobs, he returned to music in 1997 as the bass player in a London band called Zen. His band toured France regularly during this time often playing retro R'n'B and classic British music. He joined various different indie influenced bands during the late 90's and early 2000's such as Atomic Central, The Outsiders and The Bridge but returned to Zen in 2004 to cut a single featuring the song Deptford Broadway.

Deptford Broadway live at The Duke

Ceri won a Champion For Change Award from The Millenium Fund after he organised a free music festival in Deptford 2002. From 2004-6 Ceri was a licenced busker on The London Underground. After leaving Zen for the last time, he helped form the band Tuesday Heartbreak with James Tobin and Dennis Dine in 2007. They also released one pop single AA side before going their separate ways the following year. In 2008 Ceri chose to follow a solo career as an alternative singer songwriter working and recording with other musicians. His earlier influences were classic British bands such as The Kinks, Pulp, The Beatles, Radiohead and Blur. Now his musical style and genre include indie/pop and blues/country/folk roots music. James' influences are varied and eclectic but rooted in the singer/songwriter tradition.

His first solo album Start & Begin was released on Mile High Music in June 2008 but prior to this date he had a track on the first Angular Records Corporation CD The New Cross with The Bridge which was voted No 1 compilation 2004 by NME. Later he would make contributions to the Raw and Unplugged in New X CD or (I LOVE N X) (Finished No. 6 in Rough Trade's best Compilations of 2005) and the follow up album Replugged In New Cross - Ceri compiled both of these albums.

In the past he's recorded with Gordon Raphael producer of The Strokes, Mark Estall (THWFOS), Gary Brady (Bunnymen, Brut Chorus),Darren McFerran and Pat Collier (The Men They Couldn't Hang, Robyn Hitchcock, Tim Minchen). In Nov 2005 he went on a mini Tour of L.A. and supported Art Brut at the Echo on Sunset Boulevard. Then played the legendary Rainbow Bar and Grill West Hollywood. He plays regularly on the London circuit, tours the UK and occasionally gigs in Europe and the U.S.

As a solo artist, Ceri has released five studio albums. One album was recorded with his backing band called The Three Fifths. In addition, he's also released one EP and four singles and he's currently performing at shows, writing, recording , curating and producing.

CERI'S latest album, which came out in February 2016, is called:

St. Augustine's Heart

and was recorded with his band called

THE THREE FIFTHS.

The album has rhythm and blues, Americana, rockabilly and easy rock. It talks about the friendships, losses, travels, wishes and seeking the light in hard times.

The songs are listed below.

Sweet Illusion - Choosing to pursue the occupation of being in a band over other prestigious jobs.

Dance Little Esme - Being deaf to high frequencies and finding it hard to communicate with others, Little Esme chose to dance until her feet bled.

Saint Augustine, by Philippe de Champaigne, 1650.

It was St. Augustine, from Italy, who wrote about a "restless heart" but there was also a second St. Augustine from Rome sent to Canterbury to convert the King to Christianity in which he had succeeded in doing.

Where's My Art Garfunkle - Where is he and the rest of them?

The Wishing Moon - Blues tune: Waiting in the afternoon and on stars, a colorful perception is seen of the sky after being in bars. It's not only the constellation she sees, her ultimate wish is to see you so she ends up staring at the wishing moon.

The Tree - Remembering the love and carving your names on a special tree. Has the love gone away like the falling leaves? Or will it come back like the blooms. All you can do is wait and see.

Austere Crimes and Hard Times - Bluesy: Can things get any worse? I still have you.

When In Darkness / Games People Play - When you are feeling low and are fed up with mind games, put a positive spin on things and see the light.

To find out more about Ceri and his band go to:

http://www.cerijames.com/

Hey Mr, Sampson - A man who doesn't realize his greatness but is a hard working music man just the same.

She's a Tough Lover - Even though she seems to give people a hard time, she ends up being very entertaining: Eight to the bar.

Friendship and Camaraderie - Gentle tune. Seeing people through their hearts, cherishing and appreciating it. The music picks up. See past the illusions and notice the truth.

Young Blood Ran Cold - The sadness and the heartaches of lives cut short.

The photo on the cover of the album in front of the building was taken in Canterbury. It was the last stop on the pilgrim route to see St. Thomas The Becket. The route began in London and brought about the feeling of a spiritual journey for the band. William Chaucer wrote about the famous pilgrim walk in his Canterbury Tales.

Ceri's music is on an independent DIY label called Heed Publishing and it was produced by Pat Collier who worked with the early Katrina and The Waves music, Robyn Hitchcock, the Primals and more and by Ceri James. All songs recorded at Perry Vale Studios except 'Young Blood Runs Cold' which was recorded at Heed Studio.

Denise L. @DL7855 2016