Biography:
Initially inspired by the guitarists of the 60’s Takoma label to teach himself fingerpicking, James Blackshaw writes long-form pieces primarily for solo 12-string guitar that are heavily influenced by minimalist composers and European classical music and which use drones, overtones and repeating patterns alongside a strong inclination for melody to create instrumental music that is both intelligent, hypnotic and emotionally charged.
Born in London, England in 1981, Blackshaw has so far released five solo studio albums, one live recording and has also appeared on numerous compilations. "O True Believers" (2006, Important Records/Bo’weavil Recordings) and "The Cloud of Unknowing" (2007, Tompkins Square) received huge critical acclaim from printed and online publications including Pitchfork, The Wire, The Observer, The Times, Uncut, The New York Times, Rolling Stone Magazine, Magnet and Acoustic Guitar Magazine. "The Cloud of Unknowing" was also listed as one of the 50 best albums of 2007 by The Wire (no. 24) and Pitchfork (no. 34).
Blackshaw has toured the UK, Europe, Japan and U.S, most recently in support of Jose Gonzales, and has also played with Espers, Brightblack Morning Light, Sir Richard Bishop, Simon Finn, Marissa Nadler, Josephine Foster, Glenn Jones and many more. He has improvised live with Seiichi Yamamoto (ex-Boredoms) and recently recorded a collaboration with composer/lutist Jozef Van Wissem under the moniker "Brethren of The Free Spirit".
A brand new studio album, "Litany of Echoes", will also be available on CD and Double LP on Tompkins Square on June 17th 2008._______________________________________________________
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Discography:
"Celeste" CD (Tompkins Square) 2008 - originally released by Celebrate Psi Phenomenon in 2004
"Lost Prayers & Motionless Dances" CD (Tompkins Square) 2008 - originally released by Digitalis Industries in 2004
"Sunshrine" CD (Tompkins Square) 2008 - originally released by Digitalis Industries in 2005
"O True Believers" LP (Bo’weavil Records) & CD (Important Records) 2006
"Waking Into Sleep - Goteburg 27.05.06" CD (Kning Disk) 2006
"The Cloud of Unknowing" CD/LP (Tompkins Square) 2007
Compilations/Collaborations/Split Releases:
"Davenport Vs. James Blackshaw" CD-R (Static Records) 2005 *
"Gold Leaf Branches" 3CD (Digitalis Industries) 2005 *
"Imaginational Anthem Vol. 2" CD (Tompkins Square) 2006
"A Raga For Peter Walker" CD (Tompkins Square) 2006
"The Garden of Forking Paths" CD (Important Records) 2008
Brethren of the Free Spirit - "All Things Are From Him, Through Him and In Him" (duo with Jozef van Wissem) CD/LP (audioMER) 2008
* Sold-out or currently unavailable
Future Releases:
"Litany of Echoes" - new full-length solo album, available on CD/LP on Tompkins Square, June 17th 2008.
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Booking:
Please contact me personally for U.K, U.S. & European shows:
shoryobuni[at]hotmail[dot]com
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