Brendan James is a singer-songwriter who is as passionate about his music as he is with his family and friends. In his song’s, the lyrics are an extension of his emotions on life, love, hard-times, and friendships.
For Brendan, it began at the University of North Carolina where he was in an a capella group, The Clef Hangers, but soon found his love was to master the piano. It was in 2002 after graduating college, he moved to New York City and worked during the day at Urban Outfitters folding clothes to support himself and would sneak into some of Manhattan’s most upscale hotels after hours to practice his craft on the piano. He once even snuck into Julliard and was asked very politely to leave.
In the early days of living in New York City, Brendan was honored to meet the music legend, Carly Simon. She invited Brendan to her home on Cape Cod to record after James’ manager sent her his demo. Simon is by far his most well known fan.
In the fall of 2007, Brendan’s self-released EP named in honor of his beginnings in New Yory City, The Ballroom Break-In, produced by Mikal Blue (who worked with Colbie Caillat) charted on iTunes Top 100.
Brendan released his debut full-length album, The Day is Brave, through Universal/Decca Records in June of 2008. It debuted on the Top 10 Billboard Heatseeker Charts, and was ranked as the tenth most selling folk-rock album on iTunes.
He is quoted in his bio about his first national tour saying, “I went to 40 states, ate at 330 restaurants, stayed in 210 hotels, and slept on one boat — John Mayer’s Mayercraft Cruise; I know because I wrote it all down.”
In the Fall of 2010 his self-titled sophomore album produced by Warren Huart (The Fray, Kris Allen, James Blunt, Colbie Caillat, Howie Day, Chase Coy) was released. In February of this year, he began the first leg of a two-month tour across America in support of his sophomore effort.
Being a signed artist that allows you to do what you love is key to any musician, but to Brendan who told an audience on a recent Saturday night, “making albums and touring is what I want to do the rest of my life... I’ll be back”.
With as much talent as Brendan has, it's something we wouldn't doubt.