James Yorkston
Although he originally started out as a bassist playing punk songs in a band called Miraclehead, James Yorkston (a young man from Fife in Scotland), first came to real prominence as member of the much lauded Fence Collective, along with the likes of King Creosote, KT Tunstall and the Beta Band. It was during this time as an active early part of the collective that the legendary Radio 1 DJ John Peel took kindly to a demo of the song ‘Moving Up Country, Roaring The Gospel’, a track that was subsequently released as his debut 7” single on Bad Jazz records and supported with a few solo shows around Edinburgh.
His first one of these shows, which must have been quite a terrifying experience, was supporting another legend, this time in the shape of Bert Jansch (of Pentangle fame). However, something about the experience of playing alongside a name of that stature must have galvanised James, as after it he sent a copy of his single to another huge presence on the folk scene, namely John Martyn, asking if he could warm up the crowd on his Edinburgh date. Yet so impressed was he that Martyn offered him all 27 dates on the tour.
It was on this jaunt that Yorkston was spotted by Laurence Bell of Domino Records, who within a week of meeting up with him had a contract for a record deal over to James’ agent (after Laurence had got drunk with James and sent him a copy of every Domino release ever – James returned the favour with some records from the Fence Collective). His debut album Moving Up Country was released by the label in 2002, ahead of a follow up produced by now label-mate Four Tet, named Just Beyond The River and tours with Beth Orton, Tindersticks and Lambchop amongst many others. The collaborations with interesting producers continued on The Year of the Leopard with Rustin Man, who had just finished working on an album with Portishead’s Beth Gibbons, sitting behind the controls. Each of these aforementioned sessions proved to be highly productive, leaving enough material for Domino to collate unreleased gems and b sides in a compilation album called Roaring The Gospel.
Now a figure of international importance in folk circles and about to release his fifth album proper, entitled When The Haar Rolls In, James hasn’t abandoned his roots, with his involvement with the Fence Collective still very much alive. He’s toured extensively with founder member King Creosote and plays an annual part in the Homegames, a set of mini festivals run by the collective which have recently hosted performances from Hot Chip and The Concretes, as well as contributing musically to more than a handful of Fence Collective bands’ own works.
JAMES YORKSTON.CO.UK: Much to delight in here, not least the very best explanations of the intricacies of the James Yorkston discography – a complicated beast – that you’ll find.
MYSPACE.COM/JAMESYORKSTON: Six songs to stream from throughout James’ career, yet interestingly, nothing as yet from the new album. Guess you’ll have to buy the thing.
JAMES YORKSTON @ DOMINO: Perhaps the finest independent label in the country get off their chest exactly what it is about James Yorkston that gets them all excited enough to put thousands of pounds in his pockets so he can keep making records.
JUST BEYOND THE RIVER: “‘Just Beyond The River’ is one of those rarest of treasures, an album spiritual in effect without a religious or spiritual bias…” thought Kevin Molloy of James’ second LP.
SHIPWRECKERS: “So ‘Shipwreckers’ may not strictly sound like it was written this century. Or last century for that matter. But in its winsome strings, gentle drum brushes and James’ gentle, genial storytelling, you’re prepared to be transported wherever, and, more crucially, whenever, this fine retrogressive singer may command…” – those the words of Toby L, about one of James’ finest singles.
STEADY AS SHE GOES:
THE HILLS AND THE HEATH