Ian James: News

Ian recently inked a deal with Platinum Music of the UK to include his hip-hop instrumental song "Poker Smoke" in their Library. Platinum Music is a very selective library that supplies music to television networks in the UK, with placements including the BBC. This deal came as a result of Ian's former affiliation with TAXI A&R.

IAN JAMES
Blue FX Records
Volume 2
14-song CD
Having recognized Ian’s name from the punk band S.W.A.G.G., this electronica-heavy disc caught me off-guard. According to his press release, Ian’s work has appeared in a number of movies and television shows, which makes sense to me, as these songs certainly seem like they would be better served as the accompaniment to something else than standing on their own. That’s not to say that this is a poor effort by any means, as Ian proves to be a versatile performer by handling essentially all the instruments, with his bass playing particularly standing out. The majority of the instrumental songs, though, too often fall into a mid-tempo drone. The few songs with vocals generally add a nice diversion, as Ian’s Jim-Morrison-meets-Vincent-Price vocals provide an appealing ghoulish quality. More of his voice on Volume 3 would be smart move. (Kevin Finn)

A clip from Inner Balance the DVD of extreme uni-cycling shot by Brian Mackenzie of Balance Productions has been posted on YouTube. Watch as Adam Cohen works his way through Manhattan traffic to the Ian James song "Getting In (My Way)" from the new album Volume 2.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ck8bM97Hh3I

Volume 2 will be released on Blue FX Records Tuesday July 31st. You'll be able to purchase on-line through CDBaby.com and their major digital affiliates as well as select Newbury Comics locations. The CDBaby link can be found on the "Purchase " page. The CD has 14 new songs and will retail at $6.99.
Check out a sampling of the album at Ian's Myspace page : http://myspace.com/therealianjames

Vol.2 the next installment from Ian James is close to being released!! 14 new songs including the cuts "Dispute" , "Lost Sunrise" and "Reality Check".
Guitar driven tracks ride along an electronica tinged bottom end, with funk laden bass and organs. Ian's on the mic with guest appearences from Rene Noel on "Getting In (My Way) and "The New Phenomenon". This is the second solo release from Ian on Blue FX Records. Due to be released this summer!

Watch the myspace page in the coming weeks as one song from the album will be added each week, and will be available for download for the first week its up. Then the next song will be posted. etc. etc. leading up to the release.

http://myspace.com/therealianjames

On April 21, 2007 Balance Productions (formerly LBMmultimedia), released "Inner Balance", the worlds most exciting uni-cycle DVD. The DVD features multiple songs by Ian James as well as fantastic music from other really great bands. The DVD was shot around the world, with some incredible camera angles capturing some extreme footage.
Please visit the following link to preview the trailer and order your copy today:

http://www.balanceproductions.ca/dvds.htm

Hey its been over ten years since I've been in a full band playing gigs and such. My long time friend and former bandmate Joe Riot invited me onto this new project to play bass, and I jumped at the chance. We're called the "Super Wicked Awesome Good Guys", and we're playing some upbeat rock and punk songs and having a blast. Check us out when you get a chance! Thanks!

http://www.myspace.com/superwickedawesomegoodguys

I always get excited about having one of my songs forwarded, but I don't always mention it. Today I had an instrumental hip-hop track (The Dealers Hand) forwarded to one of the worlds most successful music libraries through Taxi. I'm crossing my fingers that a deal will result, as this company places music in huge movies and tv shows.

Well I just got back from Hollywood. My third time out there and it seems every year gets better. It was four fast and furious days and not a minute was wasted. My wife and I took advantage of getting there a day before the Rally kicked off by taking a walk through Hollywood in the morning going to the Capitol Records building and Amoeba Music. The night ended with seeing Snoop Dogg shooting a video right in front of our hotel. Always something going on...

The rest of the time we spent between eating, drinking and taking part in the best music conference to be put together, the Taxi Road Rally.

So much goes on here from listening panels and Q&A's to mentor lunches where musicians and songwriters get up close and personal with successful people in the industry.

I got to spend time with Meredith Chinn (see credits below) for a one to one mentoring. She listened to three of my songs and gave me real positve feedback. I was so excited by her response and hope to hear from her in the future.

Other great people I met and personally handed my music to:

Barbara Cohen- Composer, Vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist. Former Virgin Records recording artist and co-founder of the trip-hop band Brother Sun, Sister Moon. Has worked with such artists as Orbital and Air. Has also ahad songs placed in film/tv.

Jeff Freundlich- Co-founder and President of Wild Whirled Music, which specializes in music for film & tv and can be heard on television 7 days a week in hit shows like My Name is Earl, ER, One Tree Hill and Americas Next Top Model.

Cassie Lord-General Manager and Executive Producer for 5 Alarm Music.

Ted Lowe- President of Choicetracks Inc. a publishing company with extensive placements in primetime networks as well as cable. Ted was formerly an A&R executive at Sony and Warner Bros.

Tanvi Patel- Vice-president of Crucial Music.

Mike Zarin-Senior Director of Film Trailers and New Media for Groove Addicts.

Meredith Chinn- DJ/A&R/Composer and Producer. Formerly Sr. Director of A&R for Warner Bros. Co-founded the label Fingerpaint (Beck,Radar Bros., Further).

Jason Blume- Hit songwriter who has had singles on the Pop, Country and R&B charts, all at the same time.His songs have been on three Grammy nominated albums and sold over 50 million copies.

Michael Lloyd- Producer. Has over 100 gold and platinum records to his credit.

Well the tenth annual Road Rally is just couple of weeks away, in beautiful Hollywood California. I'll be heading out there for a few days to take part. This will be my third time out there and I can't wait. This year Robbie Robertson of "The Band" will be there as well as legendary songwriter Dave Stewart of "The Eurythmics".

Here's to making some new connections and visiting with some old ones!

My side project "Invasive [skolfield or james] has launched a home page. Please go there and check it out. Read exclusive content, and hear tracks from the debut album "Remnants" which will be out September 06.


The site will be home to all things Invasive. Every month a new and unreleased song will be there exclusively for your listening pleasure.

http://invasivemusic.com

The web-site is celebrating its first birthday this month. What a year its been!

To celebrate, there is an exclusive deal through the site. If you purchase either the "World-Funk Rhythm & Blues" CD, or the "No-Shadow Kick" CD, through CDBaby, you'll get ther other one free.

To do this just enter the following password: Blue FX in the field where asks "where you heard of the artist".

Also, enjoy the new the layout for year two.

My friend Ian Allen is having a cd signing at the Barnes & Noble in Paramus New Jersey September 21. Make sure you get out there and get your copy of Ians disc of the best chill & lounge music out there. Then ask him to sign it.

Well thanks to all of Ians friends and fans who voted for him at ourprisoner.com

Ian won the vote, and as such his music will be featured music of the day on the show (today, July 11).
Out of five bands, Ian received 43% of the total vote.

Thanks to everyone for voting!

Ian signed a music release with Bigstring corporation yesterday, allowing them to use up to eleven of his songs in a revolutionary on-line reality show they're producing.

The show which can be found at http://www.ourprisoner.com is the first of its kind. Its about a guy named Kieran Vogel, who will be prisoner in his own home for six months, under the watchful eye of an on-line audience.

The audience can participate and interact through the web-site and help make day to day decisions for Kieran such as which clothes to wear, and which activities to do.

This show is ahead of the curve, as the computer will one day make the TV obsolete, and this show is one of the first to expedite the process.

Album "Remnants" is coming soon.......

This Sunday May 21st, NESN's TV Show Port-O-Call, hosted by Chet Curtis ventures to Port Harbour Maine to cover a fishing tournament.

Ian's song "Birthday" will be used again as background music in the episode.

Tune in Sunday night at 7:00 on NESN, or on Comcast Sports Net Philly and Comcast Sports Net NY.

Re-airs Tuesday the 23rd and Saturday the 27th at 4:30 P.M.

On May 11th, Ian appeared on the TV show Talent Talk which is hosted and produced by Jim Kampouras. This was Ian's second appearance on the show, and the taping included an interview touching on the music business and a preview of some of Ian's newest and yet to be released music. Check you local listings for air dates.

This Sundaynight, March 19th at 7:00P.M. New England residents can tune to the cable channel NESN, to hear Ian's song "Birthday" used as background music in the program "Port-O-Call." This episode is the debut of seaon two for the series which takes you on a tour of New England and New York's best boating areas. Hosted by New England legend Chet Curtis.

Check out the music page for two un-released songs. Added 3/9/06