James Thomson & The Strange Pilgrims launch their new album Cold Moon, playing 2 sets from 8pm FREE
Newcastle-based James Thomson released his self-titled debut in 2012 to critical acclaim. The influence of towering figures like Woody Guthrie, Robert Johnson, Bob Dylan, and Townes Van Zandt on James’ song writing is clear, but as Rhythms Magazine noted he treats blues, folk and country forms with “...enough ingenuity and personality to render them bright and crisp...” James' laconic and natural style garnered national and international attention and soon saw him playing festivals and touring with the likes of Mark Olson (The Jayhawks), Simone Felice (The Felice Brothers), The Gin Club, and most recently on a Love Police promoted tour with Nashville-based artists Robert Ellis and Jonny Fritz - where James unveiled songs from his forthcoming album, Cold Moon to sold out audiences across the country.
The sense of restlessness in James’ song writing is organic; he spent much of his early life shuffling between Sydney and rural towns in the central west and Hunter Valley regions of NSW. It was that same travelling spirit which saw James journey to the American South in late 2013; where he wrote the majority of the songs which would make up his greatly anticipated second album, Cold Moon.
The 12 striking songs that make up Cold Moon confirm Thomson’s considerable ability as a songwriter and artist; one confident and accomplished enough to both appreciate and explore the reach of his traditional influences. As such, Cold Moon sees James experiment with different writing and arranging styles by synthesising elements of blues, soul, folk and country music into something altogether different.
James Thomson website
