12 July: Gallery Bar Special – James Dixon

With a sound that is both raw and intimate, James Dixon engages his audiences across the country with heartfelt lyrics, soulful vocals and a guitar style described as “red in tooth and claw” (Americana-UK) Heavily inspired by Chris Whitley, John Martyn, Kelly Joe Phelps, Neil Young, Nic Jones, Chris Wood and Ralph McTell.

“Melodic, soulful and simply beautiful” – BBC Introducing

“A soul brother….got his fingers in the mud” – Seasick Steve

James has a deep respect and passion for the long traditions of his instruments and music. At the same time he is driven by a strong urge to challenge the ossified conventions that keep some of these traditions from new ears. This dance between the past and the present is what makes James’ heart beat when performing.

Choosing to reject effects pedals altogether, he chooses from a quiver of instruments including a beloved custom made 6 string cigar-box guitar called “The Weight” after the Band’s classic song; a National Style 0 resonator; 1950s Harmony Silvertone and his Bulwark Guild dreadnought acoustic; all in various traditional open tunings. Well known in the UK cigar-box scene, James has been collaborating with Dirtbox Guitars (Bude, Cornwall) for many years, helping to fine tune the instruments that leave the workshop as well as using various 3 and 4 string models from time to time. Both James and Dirtbox have featured on the cover of Cigar Box Guitar Review magazine

James self-released his debut album, “Trespassing Light”, in 2020, just as the pandemic lockdowns started. He has used the time since to focus on writing new material and refining his live sound. A new release is scheduled for early 2024.

In 2022 James supported Seasick Steve on all of his shows that year around Europe and UK playing to audiences in legendary venues including Vicar Street (Dublin), Paradiso (Amsterdam), The Gruenspan (Hamburg), and De Roma (Antwerp). This tour provided a platform to grow his music to a wider audience. Having chosen to introduce James onto the stage himself for the final 10 shows of the tour, Seasick Steve himself described James as “a soul Brother” with “his fingers in the mud”, deep praise for anyone who knows anything about the Blues.

In addition to his solo work, Dixon has collaborated with a number of other musicians, including Tame the Brave who recently featured on Amazon’s “Clarkson’s Farm Series 2” with a faithful cover of Alan Jackson’s “Freight Train”.

As well as playing across the UK, you can always catch James in his home-town of Bude, Cornwall, where he runs the music venue “The Barrel” and holds a monthly residency.

James is committed to playing live and sharing his stories with engaged audiences, hi songs… “are all “true stories”, focusing on the largely small and personal rather than big political or social picture. Giving us details of the immediate small scale interactions between individuals that we are all largely missing now” (Americana-UK).

James’s music is sure to resonate with listeners who appreciate honesty, passion and vulnerability.

Listen to James here: https://youtu.be/E21qFBQjpxE?si=x8Bwc_Qe353uVNDp