“Darrin James touches on Robbie Robertson’s gruff soulfulness, Tom Waits vaudevillian menace and Paul Westerberg’s ramshackle charm in the bluesy rockers on his debut album, Thrones of Gold. James has a knack for perceptive lyrics and memorable tunes; his crack band supplies the laid-back grooves.” – Time Out NY
FOR RELEASE JUNE 6, 2023
ANN ARBOR, MI (May 19, 2023) – With the wedding and anniversary season upon us, Darrin James releases “Born for One Love,” an honest and heart-on-your-sleeve love song he gave to his wife on their 20th anniversary.
The song captures the grandeur of James’ profession of love by contrasting his trademark gritty Springsteen-esque vocal delivery and intimate lyrics with influences from minimalist composers like Phillip Glass and Steve Reich.
The album version of the song clocks in at over six minutes, reveling in the gratitude of romantic love between two people. It mirrors that feeling of being in love and wanting to immerse yourself in everything romantic love offers fully. Whether departing on a journey of commitment through marriage or recommitting to that love at each anniversary, “Born for One Love” speaks to the couples celebrating their love and a way to express their dedication.
His upcoming album, due out later this year, gravitates away from the political and social themes, instead encapsulating a more personal ethos. The intimate heart-on-your-sleeve directness expresses honest feelings and universal threads of love and loss, grief and happiness, contentment and anxiety, synonymous with the human experience. With James’ diverse musical background and ability to tackle complex themes, his soulful and thought-provoking music encourages listeners to reflect on important issues and arouse positive change.
About Darrin James
Darrin James is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter, composer, and producer known for his serious, thought-provoking lyrics, distinctive gravelly voice, soulful musicianship, and eclectic production style, which combines the electric and gritty sounds of blues and rock with acoustic, rootsy elements of Americana. In 2014 James started Ravine Records with a focus on recording, producing, and releasing new musical collaborations. His music has found its way into TV and film, including Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch and the 2019 film Peel, starring Emile Hirsch. In 2018 James provided the soundtrack to the documentary film, Meet Me at the Lindell, The Story of America’s First Sports Bar, which premiered at Detroit’s Freep Film Festival and aired on PBS. In 2018, he released the first album of his instrumental jazz-funk project, Disaster Relief. Through the project, he intended to provide an escape from all the negativity and seriousness of the political climate of the time. In 2021, James collaborated with Detroit’s “Queen of the Blues,” Thornetta Davis, writing and producing a two-song release, “How I Feel,” which bridges Disaster Relief’s funk with Thornetta’s bluesy soul swagger and a fair dose of social commentary. It was nominated for two Detroit Music Awards. In 2021, James released a second Disaster Relief album titled “Back into It.”
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Praise for Darrin James
“With wit and smart wordplay,… a raw and expressive voice…the band has a solid organic sound throughout, an impressive credential considering the scope includes everything from gospel and murder ballads to primal rock and country blues. Some stinging guitar, subtle strings, and a great use of the horn section helps grab your attention from track to track. A very nice surprise.” – Pop Matters
“Its literate lyrics and subject matter are a big part of why Thrones of Gold stands as one of the best indie productions of the year so far.” – BlogCritics
