By my early 20s I was looking for something a bit different, and eventually left Saturnines and became one half of Monk and Canatella - a crazy crossover act consisting of breakbeats, samples, detuned guitars, shouting/rapping and vocals.
We were signed to Bristol label Cup Of Tea Records. We released an album Care In The Community, a few EPs and caused a stir touring with an unpredictable frantic alcohol-fueled live show before signing to the legendary Telstar Records. A couple of years and one album (Do Community Service) later we parted company with the label and I parted company with the band.
In 2010, after a few years in the musical wilderness, and with a new hunger to produce music, I put a band together with Bassist/Producer Martin Dupras and former Saturnine Chris Thomas and recorded and self-released my first solo album Voyage Of Oblivion (2012).
Featuring guest musicians Owain Coleman (Bare Knuckle Parade) & Emily Barker (Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo), it captured the mood of a Blues/Rock band recorded live.. We promoted the album with a series of gigs around the south of the UK through 2012.
In 2013 I started working on my second solo album After All The Wishing…. I wanted to spend more time on the production on this one and go for a different feel, bringing in some of the New Wave influences which I used to hear a lot of on the radio as a kid, combined with the blues & rock sound of the previous album. So I changed the line-up slightly bringing in James Eller (The The, Julian Cope) on the bass, Chris Thomas returning on drums/percussion and this time mixing the album with the help of Swindon-based Producer Stu Rowe (Future Sound Of London, Andy Partridge, XTC).
Featuring an amazing array of guest musicians, including Craig Crofton (Monk & Canatella), Annie Gardiner (The Hysterical Injury), Mark Stewart (The Pop Group), Dom Flook (Saturnines), and the dark narration of writer & storyteller Damien Moran, the album was released in March 2015.
I’m currently working on my third solo album, which I hope to get out this year. Watch this space for updates..
Jim x