It took some years, but Jeffrey James has finally found his voice.
The 2005 Brownsburg High School graduate and professional musician released his second EP, "Goin' Back Down," earlier this year. It's a departure from the pop rock of his first release. The title track in particular is steeped in blues and soul.
"That song in general was what spurred me to record this new EP," James said in a recent phone interview from his home base in Nashville, Tenn.
He wrote most of "Goin' Back Down" with his guitarist, Justin Halpin. Along with drummer Brandon Chappell, a fellow BHS graduate, they record and perform under the name Jeffrey James and The Professional Children.
"Our styles have merged into blues gospel and pop rock soul stuff," James said of himself and Halpin. "He's from the blues world and I'm into pop rock and a little of the soul."
James said he found the new material easier to write because it's not so forced.
"I'm really happy with the new stuff because it's a lot easier than trying to write for a certain style or demographic," he said. "It just came down to wanting to write for myself and hope other people like it."
So far they have.
"When we've played it live, people have responded to it more than any of my other stuff," said James, who's also having more fun performing the new songs. "We have a good band playing it, and I can really let go on the vocals, just sit back and let the songs take over. It's great."
James has had ample opportunity to spread his gospel. He played more than 60 shows last year over a large portion of the Midwest. A highlight was winning a local band contest at Vanderbilt University's annual Rites of Spring music festival. James and The Professional Children would've had the opportunity to open for the likes of Sarah Bareilles and Public Enemy, but their set got rained out.
"It was still good experience," James said.
As has been his time in Nashville. It's always been one of the country's top music scenes, but James says many people would be surprised at how diverse it is.
"It's kind of a running joke that if someone's wearing a cowboy hat in Nashville we know they're a tourist," said James, who was recently invited to join Music City Unsigned, a group promoting independent artists in Nashville.
He still returns to the Indianapolis area to perform every few months. This week he's at Dawson's on Main in Speedway on Thursday, Plainfield's Claddagh Irish Pub on Friday, and The Rathskeller in Indianapolis on Saturday.
"Brownsburg has been really good to me, as far as the people there supporting my music and career," James said. "I always want to come back and play for them. You have to go where your fan base is anyway."
James was one of those rare students who excelled at both sports and the arts. Besides playing basketball and football at BHS, he also participated in every choir the Brownsburg Community School Corporation offered. He's still close with Melissa Stainbrook, BHS' show choir director. James has returned to his alma mater multiple times to share his experiences with students, play shows, and coordinate a song-writing competition, the latter of which he didn't have time for this year but hopes to continue.
"We had a winner, but it was really about giving songwriters an outlet to play their songs," James said of the last contest in May 2010. "When I started writing in high school, I didn't really have anywhere to play my own music."
For more information on James, visit his website at jeffreyjamesmusic.net.
wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
NJ Official: NYPD Muslim Surveillance Legal
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
Hurricane Forecast: 15 Named Storms Expected
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Search Intensifies for Missing Louisiana Woman
Bloomberg: Man Implicates Self in Etan Patz Case
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
