Joshua James released his new album Build Me This in September to excellent reviews. In his review of James’ album when it was XPN’s Featured Album recently, XPN’s Mike Vasilikos said: “singer-songwriter Joshua James may be more an artist than he is simply a musician. As you listen to his new album it’s evident that his compositions take shape more as musical portraits than just plain songs. Noticeable from the start is that James has no tolerance for simplicity. And at the same time, James seems unwilling to compromise his full vision. Each song is executed remarkably; from the instrumentation to the production to the songwriting James stresses every nuance.”

This week Joshua takes over the XPN blog with some notes from the field, where he is currently on tour through the end of November.

A pot of gold on the other side?? Lord, I hope so.
We are at the 2 month mark, and it feels good.
Homeless and happy.
Traveled and tried.
We have seen this beautiful country.
Or atleast a small fraction of it.
But even for that we have been so pleasantly surprised.

We spent a wonderful night in Charleston South Carolina.
We made it to the other side of the bridge to watch the sun
go down behind the ocean.
We danced in the dusk’s intoxicating light.
Nothing but a salty splash on the shoreline.
Beauty at its finest.
We are heading to Wilmington, North Carolina.
This countryside has truly been touched by king of mischevious beauty.
We have been so lucky.

Recent band comparisons:

Chicago, IL: U2 (?)
Charlotte, SC: Kings of Leon (??)
Madison, WI: TLC (??????)

These are strange times.

Joshua James & The Great Northplatte