James Southwell


James Southwell is an Australian guitar player, singer, songwriter. In addition to his releases, he has toured Australia and New Zealand extensively from 2006 playing in excess of 2000 shows, including many festival appearances.

Biography

Early life

Born and raised in Bowning, New South Wales, James Southwell is the son of Tony Southwell, he was raised by Tony and his second wife Michelle Southwell along with James' siblings, after his father and his first wife were divorced early in James' life. James has four sisters and one brother. Southwell first became interested in playing guitar when he received one for Christmas when he was seven years old.
James now lives in Canberra, ACT with his wife Alanna, and daughter Magnolia.

Musical career

Southwell left school in 2005 to pursue his dream of being a full-time guitar player. His first album, Dark Angel, was recorded at Kevin Borich's studio in December 2005. Mark Kennedy on drums, Harry Brus on bass and Borich played on Dark Angel as well as Phil Emmanuel & Mal Eastick, who both featured on the cover of Stevie Wright’s "Guitar Band" along with Southwell and Borich. Dark Angel was successful for Southwell which resulted in a 76 show tour with Kennedy and Brus. Since the release of Dark Angel, Southwell has been in constant demand at music venues and festivals. He has had five more releases since Dark Angel, James Southwell & the Fallen Angels, Pieces of James, James Southwell Band live at the Sydney Blues & Roots festival DVD, the "Walkin' Now" single, and his 2017 release, "Where The Wind Blows - The Dockside Sessions.

Influences

, Phil Manning, Lobby Loyde, George Harrison, Geoff Achison, John Lennon, Mal Eastick, Johnny Lang.

Festival appearances

Southwell has been touring with Australian rock icon Angry Anderson for the past 10 years as "Angry Anderson with the James Southwell Band". He has a popular festival band, "Manning Wilson Southwell Band" He has also toured with Australian idol winner Kate DeAraugo. He has played with Kevin Borich, Phil Manning, Chris Wilson, Lachlan Doley, and a host of well known Australian musicians. His latest project teams him up with the New Orleans bass player Charlie Wooton, as the "James Southwell Band featuring Charlie Wooton"

Latest recording

Southwell traveled to Maurice Louisiana in June 2016 to record a new original album at the famed Dockside Studio. Charlie Wooton produced and plays bass on this recording, with Doug Belote on drums, Michael Lemmler on keys, Jason Ricci on harmonica/vocals, Rafael Pereira on percussion, Jamison Ross on backing vocals. Paul Wooton on backing vocals, Andrew Gregory on clapping, Dave Farrell engineer. This album is set to be released in late 2016.

Discography