DARRIN JAMES BAND: THE LOVELY UGLY TRUTH

"Brooklyn singer-songwriter Darrin James touches on Robbie Robertson’s gruff soulfulness, Tom Waits’ vaudevillian menace and Paul Westerberg’s ramshackle charm…” Time Out New York

Much is known about the way music impacts the brain; very little is known about its effect on the heart. That instant, visceral sensation when a song connects is universal; while sincerity and authenticity are intangible qualities, they are always present in the positive listening experience. Darrin James has been a guitarist for 15 years and a songwriter for just under a decade, drawing on his love for blues, soul, country and other roots genres to create songs with a timeless quality. “As a songwriter, I have wanted to combine honest, dark lyrics with old school blues and a fusion of styles, to express the emotions and stories of tragic or flawed characters.” Darrin has succeeded mightily at this aim, his debut album, Thrones of Gold earned a wealth of kudos in the music press – The Deli Magazine had this to say, “The man’s got Joe Henry versatility, a crackerjack studio band and a great sense of craft…from a Lovett/Waits blues into a John Prine diatribe then rocketing off with an Elvis Costello pop gem.” The title track placed in American Songwriter’s Lyric Writing Contest with the lyrics appearing in the Nov/Dec 2006 issue. “Crazy World” was used in the segment of Emmy-nominated reality TV fave The Deadliest Catch in which the crew demonstrate advanced cases of “Bering Sea Dementia.”

The Lovely Ugly Truth is the follow up album, and it's filled with parables that illustrate moral dilemmas and regret, outlaw stories, murder ballads and even a contemporary protest song that confronts the immigration debate. “I have always loved the saddest songs the best, so that is what I write most often,” explained James, who produced the album and assembled an ensemble of New York’s finest players, including staff from Antibalas, TV on the Radio, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Beirut and Arcade Fire. The tracks were recorded between 2007 and 2009 in numerous studios in New York by Matt Gill, who has worked with bands like Fischerspooner, Aimee Mann, The Raveonettes and Aqualung.

The album contains no filler, but standout tracks include “Baby Don’t Bitch”, a swampy Tony Joe White-esque burner that tells an outlaw tale with a Bonnie and Clyde theme. Viola was utilized instead of the predictable fiddle, lending dark richness while complimenting blues guitars and soulful backing vocals. “Lovely Ugly Truth” attacks divorce, a classic breakup song that evokes The Band, brilliantly summing up the strife everyone experiences in bad relationships. James chose the name for the album after realizing that great songwriting always illustrates both lovely and ugly truths. Scorching bluesy guitar, percussive piano and a mid-song rave up reflect the incendiary nature of every break up.

“Green Card Rag” rejuvenates a time-honored tradition, the protest song. A powerful tool for change, the songs of music greats like Woody Guthrie have spread messages to the populace. James addresses the injustices of immigration policy through the story of a struggling migrant worker. With a finger-picked electric guitar and a New Orleans-style horn section, it steps far from the traditional folky presentation, bringing real spirit to the form.

“Easier” is a regret-soaked acoustic song that powerfully evokes exhaustion, sadness and helplessness. Written to express man’s struggle with the world, it will resonate with anyone who has suffered in the current economy.

Darrin James was raised in suburban Detroit with an accommodating older brother who took him to concerts. Before graduating high school he’d already taken in many of his favorite blues and rock artists such as B.B. King, James Brown, Albert Collins, Bob Dylan and Pink Floyd. At a summer job at a forklift company he made the acquaintance of an older gentleman who brought cassettes of blues and jazz musicians like Albert King, Johnny Hodges, Richard “Groove” Holmes and Eddie Harris to the shop. Taking up guitar at 13, James’ main focus was playing blues, which gave way to jazz, folk and world music. He began playing shows as a teenager, playing lead guitar for many local acts in Michigan. After moving to Ann Arbor in 1996 he met some of his future band mates and collaborators, including Jordan Shapiro, Stuart Bogie, Jeremy Bronson and Matt Gill, who helped bring The Lovely Ugly Truth to life. Relocating to New York City in 2000, Darrin began to focus on singing and songwriting and wrote his first tunes. His Chinatown home was very near Ground Zero on 9/11, and his frustration during the Bush years fueled his writing. In 2002 he formed the Darrin James Band to perform his growing repertoire of original songs.

Darrin James Band achieves that resonance we all recognize, when lyrics and music touch our hearts. Sheer talent helps but a genuine reverence for the art form is the key to transcending the mundane. The Cowboy Trance blogger Flash said it best, “The DJB sound so completely authentic and true to its voice that it feels almost cleansing, and makes you wonder why in the hell great songs like these aren’t everywhere, drowning out the vapid clowns that pollute the genre.” - Heather West