James Hill profile picture

James Hill

About Me

I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I grew up listening to my grandparents' jazz records and the music that traveled from distant Europe and South America to the little shortwave radio receiver I was given as a gift. After university I took off and spent a good amount of time in central Europe. Soon after returning to the States, I relocated to San Francisco where I received my teaching certificate. In 1997 I got an offer to teach for a year in Russia. I accepted the offer, little knowing that one year would stretch into more than seven. While there, I met my wife, Yelena, and attended the Peoples' University of the Arts. Currently I reside in the Houston area with my wife and the cats (Trouble and Smokey), and am busy making music, and giving guitar and bass lessons.

Myspace Layouts at Pimp-My-Profile.com / Circle abstract

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 13/01/2007
Band Members: James (37)- Electric and Acoustic Guitars, vocals.

Influences: Cool Jazz, Bossa Nova, Exotica, Lounge, Acid Jazz, Downtempo/Ambient Electonica.

Influential Compilation Albums: "Ambient 1 - A Brief History..." and "Ambient 2 - Imaginary Landscapes" (Virgin Records), "Lonely Is An Eyesore" (4AD), "Loungin'" Compilations (New Breed), "The Acid Jazz Test" series (Moonshine Music) "This Is Acid Jazz..." Compilations - especially the "After Hours" releases and "Jazz Com Bossa" - (Acid Jazz Records), "Rebirth of the Cool" Comps (Fourth & Broadway), "Two Zombies Later" (Comfort Stand Recordings). I've recently been turned onto the "Ultra Chilled" (Ultra Records) and Brazilectro (SPV records) series - both highly recommended.

Writers I like: Henry Miller, Jorge Luis Borges, Mikhail Bulgakov, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, James Joyce, JG Ballard, Colin Wilson, John Keel, HP Lovecraft, MR James, Charles Fort, Brad Steiger, Robert Anton Wilson, Sergei Dovlatov, Mark Twain, Jan Harold Brunvand, Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell.

Sounds Like: The soundtrack to dreams and love and dancing...
Record Label: Unsigned

My Blog

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Enjoy!
Posted by on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 23:29:00 GMT

Check it out!

I'd like to direct your attention to Soma FM online radio (www.somafm.com). I've been listening to the 'Secret Agent' and 'Beat Blender' channels pretty much constantly since discovering Soma FM! Chec...
Posted by on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 08:42:00 GMT