Artist Information
Biography
Following the release of his critically acclaimed debut CD, Sixes & Sevens, Austin, TX based singer-songwriter James Speer is back in the studio recording the beginnings of his much anticipated next album, Soul Sessions.
While Sixes & Sevens delivers a powerful blend of straight rock, pop, and alternative music, Soul Sessions takes Speer's piano-driven songs to the next level with the addition of soul, funk and pop elements to create a thoroughly modern R&B sound.
Influenced by the progressive approaches of bands like Jamiroquai, Beck, Peter Gabriel, and Sting, Speer's music is charged with a compelling mix of spirit, soul, and depth that electrifies both audiences and critics alike. The combination of dynamic chord progressions and hook-like rhythms create a brand of music that is at once cutting-edge and accessible.
A musician known and respected by his peers, Speer has performed and recorded with some of Austin's best-known acts, including Bob Schneider, Monte Montgomery, Vallejo, George Devore, the Scabs, M.C. Overlord, Malford Milligan, and Tyrone Vaughn.
The album Sixes & Sevens is distributed nationally by Burnside Distribution Corporation and can be found on iTunes.com, Amazon.com, CDBaby.com and other digital download sites.
Highlights --
**Two tracks from the Sixes & Sevens album ('It Would Seem' and 'Already Gone') were recently featured on FX network's Golden Globe award winning show "The Shield."
**James Speer was named BEST MALE VOCALIST at the 2004 JUST PLAIN FOLKS MUSIC AWARDS in Beverly Hills, Ca, where his album Sixes & Sevens also came in 3rd in the BEST ROCK ALBUM category and 4th in the BEST MODERN ROCK SONG category with the Sixes & Sevens track 'Already Gone.'
**Sixes & Sevens tracks 'Already Gone' and 'Blue Bowl' have each been named TRACK OF THE WEEK by audiences of Garageband.com. Several other songs from Sixes & Sevens have won awards on the site including BEST MALE VOCALS and BEST KEYBOARDS. www.garageband.com/artist/jamesspeer
**James Speer showcased at the SXSW MUSIC CONFERENCE & FESTIVAL 2004 in Austin, TX and was named as one of Miller High Life's TOP 50 IN SHOW.
**James Speer showcased at the CMJ MUSIC MARATHON 2003 in New York, NY.
**Several songs from Sixes & Sevens have appeared among the TOP 3 RADIO CHART RANKINGS in multiple college markets across the U.S. and Canada.
**Sixes & Sevens was named the 4th BEST ALBUM of 2003 by the Austin Chronicle.
**James Speer has been featured on the 'Local Licks Live' program of Austin, TX radio station KLBJ FM, on the 'Tex-Mix' program on Austin, TX television station ME Television, and has been profiled in a feature article by the Austin, TX lifestyle magazine 512.
Website
http://www.jamesspeer.net
Discography
Sixes & Sevens - Full length CD - 2003
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