First things first - thanks to Ed McKeon of wesufm.org in Connecticut for having me on their station - I got to do a live video interview via Skype (aint technology grand?) and played August and Beautiful Mess live. Fun times!
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Now for the reviews:
I did a phone interview with Bart Mendoza a while back and for the life of me couldn't find the interview. But I googled myself (go figure!) and found he said some super cool things - read below:
www.sdnews.com/printer_friendly/1895015
Vanja James to showcase her ‘organic’ music style
by BART MENDOZA
02.04.09 - 05:46 pm
There is no shortage of local performers who fall into the category of singer-songwriter, but there are precious few who work to subvert the genre.
With much of the singer-songwriter boom coming in the wake of Jewel’s mid-90s success, it’s easy to see why so many artists rely on the simple guitar and vocals mix to get their message across. And yet, it’s artists who push musical boundaries that keep this music interesting.
While it’s the road less traveled, for musicians like Vanja James, who performs at Dream Street today, Feb. 5, the quest to make their music a unique statement through arrangements and instrumentation sets them apart in an overcrowded field.
James came to music through a church group, taking part in their worship services when she was 16.
“They had a really good modern worship team with good guitars in the program and that sort of piqued my interest,” James said.
Already in college, she quickly added classical guitar as part of her studies.
Currently preparing her debut album “Vanja James Music” for release, she is also taking part in as many musical projects as she can. In addition to her own music, she is also singing with an another pair of bands — the Gift/Curse and Laserwolf and the Thunderbolt.
“I’ve known them all for a really long time,” she said. “So it doesn’t feel like anything bigger than hanging out with my friends, but it is a lot of fun. So I’ll keep doing this sort of thing as long as they let me.”
Her album has been over a year in the making, but James was determined to make a quality product, no matter how long it took. The 15 songs on the disc include contributions from over two dozen guest musicians.
“It’s my recording debut,” James said. “It’s covering the span of what I can do stylewise. It took time, but getting it to sound good was more important than how long it took to do.”
For James, it was important to use real instruments instead of using computer shortcuts.
“You could describe my music as ‘organic,’” James said. “As in, real instruments played by real people.”
The length of time spent recording could also be attributed to working on off hours.
“I was working with my own money so I was paying as I went along,” she said. “The studio I was using was pretty busy, so I was at their mercy.”
Additionally her choice of violinist went on tour in the midst of the project.
“Sometimes people got scheduled over me, which can be a little frustrating,” she said. “But I did the budget plan, so I was willing to be patient and I probably saved a little money that way.”
James is prolific to a fault, composing anytime, anywhere.
“I carry a digital recorder in my car to capture any particularly good ideas,” James said.
While a crucial part of her creative process, this practice can sometimes cause other motorists amusement.
“I was doing a vocal warm up while I was on my way to a show downtown,” she said. “My mouth was open really wide when I looked over at the car next to me. They were laughing really hard,” she said.
With a debut album imminent and touring planned for the year ahead, the future appears promising for James. But she is determined to make it on her own terms.
“Music is sort of a universal language that you can use to connect with people,” said James. “I get pretty sad when I don’t sing or play music with people. It’s a happy thing for me.”
She considers music to be her mission in life.
“I’m blessed with it,” said James. “My life always seems to come back to that, so it seems like it’s something I was meant to do.”
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/vanjajames.
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www.sdcitybeat.com/cms/story/detail/the_great_demo_review_2009/7818/
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Next we have the not so great review. It's never quite fair when somebody who doesn't even like your style of music reviews it (see the Citybeat review below, hahahahah)....honestly playing this last show was the tiredest I've been in a long time, but...constructive criticism notes taken:
melodygeek.com/2009/03/10/3409-the-bill-cardinal-show-w-ryan-blue-and-vanja-james-at-oconnells/
Vanja has a great voice - no arguing that - she would emote to the max, booming her beautiful voice to the people sitting on the tables near the stage.I did like her song called “August”, which had a guitar sound that reminded me of those early Billy Bragg records. - Greg, Melodygeek.com
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Lastly I leave you with a new little diddy I wrote on my piano yesterday.
It's a little more cute and theatrical than I tend to do, but all in good fun.
From Citybeat's Music Issue. Thanks guys for having a sense of humor. :-)
Do you miss the Lilith Fair? Vanja James would be playing the opening slot on the side stage if it were still 1998. The only distinguishing characteristics are the lyrics, which sound like excerpts from Sarah McLachlan’s 11th-grade diary. MS/vanjajames.
—Todd Kroviak
P.S. This is a new track I worked on with Cady Truckee - he played guitar, and I sang and played the electronic beats. Fancy that! Click below to listen:
Hey boys and girls,
I decided to record Gayle Skidmore's songs so we could fantastically take over the world TOGETHER.
See, taking over the world by yourself is but a selfish and pointless adventure, which really sucks.
You can listen to the song of Gayle's I recorded yesterday called "Zion" - it aint perfect yet but, not bad for 1/2 a days work: www.reverbnation.com/gayleskidmore
Then here is a new song I worked on guitar chords w/my teacher David the other day. I decided to provide you guys with some notes on the chord-writing process that David and I have going:
vimeo.com/3252893
frogblogreviews.bullfrogmusic.com/
This album, James’ first, is a bit of a poser for me. It seems to be presenting samples of the style of her work rather than a coherent collection of songs that share characteristics. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it makes it difficult to pull together an overall impression of the music.
Born & raised in the US, James has been playing solo to local audiences since 2002. Vanja James is not just anybody’s little girl. In many of her songs, she comes on as a latter day Janis Joplin, belting out the words as if there’s no tomorrow (and for Janis, there wasn’t one). Even in the slow or quiet songs, there’s a force of personality evident that will blow your hair back if you stand too close.
According to her liner information, 20 musicians collaborated in the production of this album. The list is long, but it includes musicians from such acts as Blink 182 and Bright Eyes. After a while, this comes to resemble name-dropping, as in, “You haven’t heard of me, but I’m associated with all these other people.”. It’s natural to want to do this, but regardless of who the backup musicians are, James is still front and centre and her career will stand or fall on the merits of her own work.
That said, what is that work? As I mentioned, this CD feels like a sampler, with songs trying for the feel of Cajun music, the blues, jazz, metal, straight ahead rock, mellow pop ballads…I’ve probably left something out, but you get the idea. I’m left with a sense of someone at the start of their career, groping for a musical direction.
James seems to feel more comfortable with rocking out songs like “Avalanche” or “War Song”. She’s got the right voice for that type of thing, as she is able to crank up the turbos on her larynx and belt out the words, just like Janis.
She has a little trouble with quiet pieces such as “Sandman”, a stripped down cut with only guitar and vocals. Her voice sounds thin when it’s not backed up by massive amounts of sound.
That’s one of the drawbacks for me of this release: there’s too much sound. It all sounds good, but it seems as though the producer threw in everything but the kitchen sink in order to make an impression.
James is an inventive songwriter. Certainly, lack of self-confidence isn’t a problem with her. She takes on subjects of all kinds and writes intelligently and with great feeling. This is a major strength of hers that will only improve as she gains experience.
Summary: This album exhibits multiple personalities…James is till trying to find her way musically. A good first effort from someone who is going to be big one day.
I just got my first big review from somebody I don't know at all, and my album not a five-star review! Yeah!
Check it it out here:
www.muzikreviews.com/reviews.php
Vanja James could become the next big female singer/songwriter. Her self-released, self-titled debut album is a powerful composition of pop-rock and indie ballads that are instantly pleasing. James’ powerful vocals are backed beautifully by a diverse cast of musicians on her promising debut.
The album opens with the fast-paced, acoustic guitar driven pop-rock of “On Your Own.” The song has a simple, but fun pop rhythm. It has a stripped down sound that really allows James’ vocals to come through. James has a voice that will remind of you of other singers like Sara Bareilles or Alicia Keys.
“Craptastic” and “The Bayou” share the same light-hearted, fun pop-rock sound that “On Your Own” has. These songs would be right at home on pop radio.
While James can definitely write a successful pop song, she also shows a great deal of diversity on the album.
“August” is a fantastic indie rock song that plays with Appalachian melodies on harmonica. It’s definitely a uniquely composed song that later cuts loose with a horn line. Likewise, “Mouthful” shares the same country-rock feel as “August” by using smartly crafted slide guitar.
At other points on the album, James writes heart breaking songs like “To The Man” and “Beautiful Mess” that use delicate arrangements of guitar, strings and piano. On these songs, James establishes herself as a fantastic singer and truly shows how promising she is.
James continues to surprise you with diverse songs throughout her album. The piano filled, jazz influenced “Deal With The Devil” sounds unlike any other song on the CD. However, James sounds right in her comfort zone with the song.
Late in the album, James even proves she can do straight-up, electric guitar fueled rock with “War Song.”
Vanja James delivers an incredibly talented debut. Her ability to succeed in a variety of styles is refreshing. James is definitely an artist to keep your eye on.
MuzikReviews.com Assistant Senior Editor-Chris Homer
January 7, 2009
©MuzikReviews.com
Hi Ladies and gents!
Life Updates
My birthday (12/20) was pretty awesome. I've been "borrowing" my brother's left handed taylor guitar for years now, and this year he surprised the heck out of me with a brand new Taylor that plugs in and everything. He called me the day of my bday all excited wondering when I was going to open presents and I said, "but Michael we're doing bday presents tomorrow when mom can go." and he seemed all disappointed. I thought, "man he's so excited, the only way he could be that excited is if he got me a guitar. No way! That'd be a pretty awesome present." Michael has this lovely way of not being able to keep secrets without saying a word. And my hunch rang true. So it was a pretty good secret that whole time before - I had no idea! Probably the best "guitar case" I've ever gotten.
Tour Tour Tour
I've been gearing up for tour-ness which will happen in early spring. You can count on me doing a couple live telephone interviews for some podcasts and radio stations near and far.
Until then...
In the meantime, I've been honing my cooking skills and reconnecting with some old friends. I got a new camera for christmas....I don't actually have it yet, but as soon as it's here, you can count on seeing a couple of youtube cooking how-tos (for things like low-carb cheesecake, yum yum!), and of course some adventures with some new music friends.
I'll also be re-instating my stint with AppleTVjunkie.com - where I will be reviewing movies that you can rent/download via itunes. You can check out their website at www.appletvjunkie.com.
In addition to this - since I've been meeting so many female musicians lately who seem to (like me) need to meet more female musicians like themselves, I started a new club. You can check out its brand new website at www.ladiesmusicclub.org. I will be filing for non-profit status in early 2009. The purpose of the club is not only to help young women hone their music skills, but also to give back to the community, put on shows, and perhaps even do some small tours. I look forward to seeing it all come together. If you know a female musician or a female who loves music and the music community, send them on over to Ladies Music Club! Currently we're just having informal meetings on the basis of who can come, but formal meeting dates will follow once we vote on a good day for everybody.
We're still waiting for Lisa to graduate highschool...but word has it that she is school free come summer, so I am looking forward to touring with my favorite lefty guitarist around that time. I've also been co-writing with a new person or two. Elysa Everson is one of them - I have her to thank for my new pet kitten Dexter. We met up to talk about music a few months back at influx coffee in Golden Hill, and we heard a cat meowing loudly. A few minutes later a lady came out with a cage and said this little grey fluffball kitten had been living under the foundation of Influx for two weeks, and she finally caught him. Elysa is a vet tech so she nursed the little guy to health, and a few days later he was all mine! He's about tripled in size it seems and he loves to get into everything. We're training him to be a serial mouse-killer, hence the name Dexter.
This is about he size he was when I got him:
Lastly, I'm writing some new material (I like to write and gear up for new albums in the wintertime) so you can check out a raw old-skool stype track that I play on piano called "Empty." It's probably the most piano and melody driven (vs. vocally driven) song I've done thus far. There's a little flub at the end (staying true to my old skool form, hah hah. )
Hey everybody,
Vanja here writing a little friendly update. I patiently await the completion of my album as 3 songs get re-mastered up in Los Angeles.
In the meantime I have taken on a slew of strange jobs. I rather pride myself on this collection of weird jobs I have. It represents all the weird I can't truly be. I don't have the gusto for some strange tattoo or some quirky haircut, but darnit, I have some fantastically odd-ball interim jobs.
Bathroom Valet
Rock Band Game Tester
Wearing strange costumes for this photo expo
Home Depot Model for training video
I-Tan instructional video model
Undercover Bar-hopper
Background acting and pretending to talk to people
Handing out Magazines for H & M
Promoting a skincare line nobody bought
Resurfacing a slew of kitchen cabinets
Painting an office
And the list...goes...on.
I'm not really sure what tour will hold, whether it will be an alone venture, a "meet people in the cities in which they live for impromptu show playing" or a "take dedicated people with you" type thing. It's a fine big box of surprise which has yet to be opened and I'm leaving it up to the stars to decide.
It's good being extremely flexible. Songwriting is one of the few careers you can theoretically run entirely yourself, but seriously whoooooo wants to do that?
I'm not saying I want to, but I would if I had to.
Just got to brush up on my kung fu skills, that's all.
Hey everybody,
We're down to the last few meetings for the album of finishing touches on the mixes and then I'll be heading up to Los Angeles to get things mastered. My philosophy has always been that how long it takes has always been less important - the goal was to get everything sounding good (i.e. how I always wanted) and we are very VERY close to that goal, so I couldn't be happier. Take a listen to some of the new stuff we did with Anton Patzner on Violin (he made us cry with his lovely strings - so beautiful.)
Sound is about having to put my dog to sleep, so you guys know.
I'm hoping to have my CD release show in the next few weeks. Rest assured I'll be having a FEW cd release parties and hope that all of you will come.
What's up party people? This is Lauren Leigh giving you a behind the scenes schpiel on Vanja's album-recording-happenings. Things are going as swimmingly and as efficiently as Vanja herself. Besides being ridiculously busy with our non-musical lives (all of us: her, lisa and myself) we are making some awesome progress. Amazingly, extra talented people keep falling in our laps. The more the merrier, I say. The album will be chalk-full of special guests, that's for sure. If you haven't already, you should check out Vanja's videos to see a secret clip of her "drum conducting" with my roommate (and guest album drummer) Adam Barker. Adam was the drummer for Hot Like A Robot and is currently pounding away for War Stories. That sounds bad, but you know what I meant. Also coming up is our very first gig with Lisa (16 years old, mind you) on guitar at Cane's in Mission Beach. Send us a line if you want some tickets. To get your first taste of what the album is shaping up to be, go to www.myspace.com/vanjajames. Vanja has shamelessly posted the tracks early, before mixing, editing or bass tracks are done. It's only because we are SO excited at the sound we are getting from Sushifish! And we like to share. Because sharing is caring. And so is tuning. Or something like that.
You may be wondering, "Just who is this Lauren Leigh, and why is she so special?" Well, the truth of the matter is, I found Vanja on Craigslist, she listened to me on Myspace, and I guess the rest is history. So there you go, not that special. But I certainly love music, love to sing, love to create, and am happy I got hooked up with someone as focused as the VeeJay. Oh yeah, and my aunt................. is Eve Selis. (ooooooohhhh schnap! did she just name drop??) So to sum up, in bullet form, so you dont lose focus:
- Drum conducting video
- hear album preview --www.myspace.com/vanjajames
- Cane's show June 11th-- $10 (I am playing keys and Lisa's first show)
- Lauren is special and Eve Selis' neice
Thanks for tuning in!
Lauren Leigh
Yes, the CD release is near and we are now accepting pre-orders
$15.00 will get you a copy of the CD BEFORE anybody else, and that $15.00 includes shipping. ($20.00 for all you international people.)
Please note that all album fees have been paid for by me, Vanja James, in cash.(not credit, yay, thanks to working full time in addition to yard sales, yard sale donations, and selling on ebay part time)
Sincerely,
Vanja James
To make a donation click here:
www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr
----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: Sushifish
Date: Apr 19, 2008 8:30 PM
Just a lowdown on all of our sessions to date...from the start.
Sat Mar 1st (5Hrs)
Sun Mar 2nd (5Hrs)
Mon Mar 3rd (4Hrs)
Wed Mar 5th (5Hrs)
Mon Mar 17th (5Hrs)
Tues Mar 18th (5Hrs)
Wed Mar 19th (5Hrs)
Thurs Mar 20th (4Hrs)
Fri Mar 21st (5Hrs)
March total Hrs: 33 @ $35/hr Total $1155
Paid thus far: $800
Balance forward:$355
Fri Apr 11th (5Hrs)
Sat Apr 12th (5Hrs)
Sun Apr 13th (4Hrs)
Tues Apr 15th (4Hrs)
April total Hrs: 17.5 @ $35/hr Total $612.50
plus March Balance forward $355
Total due: $967.50
Let me know when we can get caught up on the amounts due...
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