{{short description|American singer-songwriter}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Early James | birth_name = Fredrick James Mullis Jr. | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|6|2}} | birth_place = Troy, Alabama, US | origin = Birmingham, Alabama | occupation = {{hlist||Singer-songwriter|musician}} | genre = {{hlist||Americana|alternative country|alternative rock|blues|folk|folk rock|}} | instrument = {{hlist||Vocals|guitar}} | alias = Early James | associated_acts = Early James and the Latest | label = Nonesuch Records, Easy Eye Sound | website = {{URL|earlyjames.com/}} | image = Early James Guitar 2019.jpg }}
'''Fredrick James Mullis Jr.''' (born June 2, 1993), known professionally as '''Early James''', is an American singer-songwriter. He is signed onto studio-label Easy Eye Sound, the studio-label of Black Keys' guitarist Dan Auerbach.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Easy Eye Sound|url=https://easyeyesound.com/artists/|access-date=2021-09-15|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Early life == James was born and raised in Troy, Alabama. At the age of 16, he received his first guitar from his aunt for Christmas.<ref name="auto">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/country/early-james-toxic-relationship-song-it-doesnt-matter-exclusive-8548780/|title=Early James Turns Toxic Relationship into Song on 'It Doesn't Matter Now'|date=January 23, 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref> He began writing songs shortly thereafter, citing James Taylor and Johnny Cash as formative influences on his music.<ref name="auto"/>
== Career == James grew up in Troy, Alabama, where he was raised by the women in his family. He realized he could seek a career as a musician at age six when he watched a local musician play covers at a family function, and began playing the guitar at age sixteen when he was gifted one for Christmas.<ref name="Roster: Early James">{{Cite web|title=Roster: Early James|url=https://roundhillmusic.com/roster/early-james|access-date=2021-09-15|website=roundhillmusic.com}}</ref> His friend was the frontman for the local band Fire Mountain and told him that he could begin opening for them if he started performing original songs. At that point, he began writing his own music.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 9, 2020|title=Early James' Soul Food Serenade|url=https://www.premierguitar.com/artists/early-james-soul-food-serenade-2651040224|access-date=2021-09-27|website=Premier Guitar|language=en}}</ref>
At the age of 21, James moved to Birmingham, Alabama to pursue music professionally. It was here that he met Adrian Marmolejo and formed their band, Early James and the Latest.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.highroadtouring.com/artists/early-james/|title=Early James|website=Highroadtouring.com|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref> Drawing inspiration from Birmingham's diverse music scene, James began to cultivate a sound containing elements of blues, folk, rock, and classic country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eclipsemusicgrp.com/talent/early-james|title=Talent {{!}} Eclipse Music Group|website=Eclipsemusicgrp.com|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref>
Early James released some early songs on his YouTube channel and performed them from 2016 to 2019 such as "Tinfoil Hat" and "Gravy Train".
Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys discovered James while the songwriter was working in Birmingham.<ref name=":0" /> Auerbach liked James' unique style and asked to produce his debut album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thepreludepress.com/news/2020/1/23/early-james-shares-video-for-new-single-it-doesnt-matter-now|title=Early James Shares Video For New Single, "It Doesn't Matter Now"|website=The Prelude Press|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref>
On December 5, 2019, James announced his debut album ''Singing for My Supper'' would be released on March 13, 2020, by Nonesuch and Auerbauch's Easy Eye Sound.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://americansongwriter.com/emerging-alt-folk-star-early-james-announces-new-song-album-tour/american-songwriter/|title=Emerging Alt-Folk Star Early James Announces New Song, Album, Tour « American Songwriter|date=December 5, 2019|website=American Songwriter|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref> He also released his first single from this project, "Blue Pill Blues."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/-Early-James-To-Release-Debut-Album-SINGING-FOR-MY-SUPPER-20191205|title=Early James To Release Debut Album SINGING FOR MY SUPPER|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|website=BroadwayWorld.com|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref> Subsequent singles from this project, "It Doesn't Matter Now" and "High Horse" were released on January 23, 2020, and February 13, 2020, respectively.<ref name="auto"/><ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/early-james-high-horse-video-952199/|title=Alabama Singer-Songwriter Early James Evokes Desolation in 'High Horse' Video|last=Freeman|first=Jon|date=February 13, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref> Early James described ''Singing for My Supper'' as being about "disillusion in styles that glance back to the 1970s and before."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/arts/music/early-james-singing-for-my-supper-review.html|title=Early James Is a Rootsy Throwback in an Uncertain Present « The New York Times|date=March 11, 2020|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=March 14, 2020}}</ref>
In 2020, James planned to be on tour supporting Shovels and Rope, The Lone Bellow, The Marcus King Band, and The Black Keys. Many of the shows were cancelled due to the pandemic,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Early James's Concert & Tour History {{!}} Concert Archives|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/early-james|access-date=2021-09-15|website=Concertarchives.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Black Keys|url=https://www.jambase.com/band/the-black-keys|access-date=2021-09-15|website=JamBase|language=en-US}}</ref> but James performed in several virtual shows, including with The Marcus King Band.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Early James|url=https://www.bandsintown.com/a/14351122-early-james?came_from=251|access-date=2021-09-27|website=Bandsintown}}</ref> In a performance covered by Rolling Stone for its changes to the Band's ''The Last Waltz'', James rewrote lyrics to "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" to reframe it as a critique, rather than what some saw as a celebration, of the Confederacy.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Vozick-Levinson|first1=Simon|last2=Vozick-Levinson|first2=Simon|date=August 6, 2020|title=Can 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down' Be Redeemed?|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/night-they-drove-old-dixie-down-early-james-interview-1036886/|access-date=2021-09-27|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Hudak|first=Joseph|date=August 4, 2020|title=Marcus King and Friends Give 'The Last Waltz' a Timely Update|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/marcus-king-last-waltz-review-1039208/|access-date=2021-09-27|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}</ref>
James supported the Lone Bellow on their "Half Moonlight Tour" in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tour|url=https://www.thelonebellow.com/tour|access-date=2021-09-15|website=The Lone Bellow|language=en-US}}</ref> He performed solo at the Newport Folk Festival in July 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Newport Folk Festival stage schedule 2021 |url=https://newportfolk.org/2021-schedule/ |access-date=2021-09-21 |website=newportfolk.org}}</ref>
On August 19, 2022, James released his second studio album ''Strange Time To Be Alive''. One song, "Real Lowdown Lonesome", featured Sierra Ferrell. Songs such as "Wasted and Wanting" and "Dance in The Fire" had already been played live, as early as 2018. In late 2022, Early James started his first headlining tour, beginning in Texas, which he showed his enthusiasm for by writing a song about the tour.
== The Latest == According to Mullis, "The Latest" refers to who commonly plays with him. Since 2016, that has been Adrian Marmolejo, who plays stand-up bass or electric bass. Beginning in 2019, Joey Rudeisell and Ford Boswell played with Mullis as drummer and steel guitarist respectively.
== Artistry == James was inspired in his tweens by Hank Williams Sr. and later by grunge and alternative rock bands like Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Nirvana. His years writing and performing in Birmingham, Alabama expanded the genres he wrote in to include bluegrass, folk and alt-country.<ref name="Roster: Early James"/>
James has been compared to Tom Waits<ref name=":1" /> and has referred to the musician as one of his inspirations, along with Fiona Apple.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soundandsoulonline.com/2020/02/11/early-james-bound-determined/|title=Early James: Bound & Determined|date=February 11, 2020|website=Sound & Soul of Central Georgia|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref> His lyrics are often dark but with a sardonic sense of humor, dealing with such themes as depression, addiction, and relationships.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nonesuch.com/journal/early-james-release-debut-album-singing-my-supper-march-6-easy-eye-sound-nonesuch-records-2019-12-05|title=Early James to Release Debut Album, "Singing for My Supper," March 13 Via Easy Eye Sound / Nonesuch Records – Nonesuch Records|website=Nonesuch Records Official Website|date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref> According to the New York Times, James' "melodies hesitate and evade the beat; his lyrics move via moody free association, not the direct narratives of most Americana."<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=March 11, 2020|title=Early James Is a Rootsy Throwback in an Uncertain Present|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/arts/music/early-james-singing-for-my-supper-review.html|access-date=2021-09-15|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
James' voice is distinct, described by ''the New York Times'' as "tattered and nervous, with a grainy quaver."<ref name=":2" /> Round Hill Music states that his voice comprises "a century’s worth of American barkers and crooners, from Alan Lomax field recordings to mid-century iconoclasts like Billie Holliday and Howlin Wolf to ghostly late-century interpreters like Fiona Apple and Tom Waits."<ref name="Roster: Early James"/>
== Discography == === Albums === {| class="wikitable" !Title !Details !Songs |- |''Singing for My Supper''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Release group "Singing for My Supper" by Early James – MusicBrainz|url=https://musicbrainz.org/release-group/b35d9268-a32d-4d87-8345-61f610cbd40b|access-date=2021-09-15|website=musicbrainz.org}}</ref> | * Released: March 13, 2020 * Label: Easy Eye Sound
Collaborators:
* "Way of the Dinosaur" and "Easter Eggs" co-written with Dan Auberbach and Patrick James McLaughlin<ref>{{Citation|title=Way of the Dinosaur|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/1l9ge1xwFylpTjeSvZFm7K|language=en|access-date=2021-09-15}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Easter Eggs|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/5OZB4WS8GeXBI2vyV0DeAJ|language=en|access-date=2021-09-15}}</ref> * "Clockwork Town" co-written with Dan Auerbach and John Bettis<ref>{{Citation|title=Clockwork Town|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/0oBeOUG7ODPs4K08OyBEfG|language=en|access-date=2021-09-15}}</ref> * "High Horse" co-written with Dan Auerbach and Bobby Wood<ref>{{Citation|title=High Horse|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/5NuJmtNtYlzFwbwesKJSSa|language=en|access-date=2021-09-15}}</ref> * "Gone as a Ghost" co-written with Dan Auerbach and Ronnie Bowman<ref>{{Citation|title=Gone as a Ghost|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/5Yr9tbyo9F3nNbASNwsDRc|language=en|access-date=2021-09-15}}</ref> | # <bdi>"Blue Pill Blues" (</bdi>3:07) # <bdi>"Stockholm Syndrome" (</bdi>3:14) # <bdi>"Way of the Dinosaur" (</bdi>3:48) # <bdi>"Clockwork Town" (</bdi>3:20) # <bdi>"Easter Eggs" (</bdi>4:01) # <bdi>"It Doesn't Matter Now" (</bdi>3:27) # <bdi>"High Horse" (</bdi>3:25) # <bdi>"All Down Hill" (</bdi>3:00) # <bdi>"Gone as a Ghost" (</bdi>3:56) # <bdi>"Dishes in the Dark" (</bdi>3:43) |- |''Strange Time To Be Alive'' | * Released: August 19, 2022 * Label: Easy Eye Sound
Collaborators:
* "Real Low Down Lonesome" featuring Sierra Ferrell | # "Racing to a Red Light" (4:24) # "Straightjacket For Two" (3:50) # "My Sweet Camelia" (3:35) # "Pigsty" (4:10) # "What Strange Time To Be Alive" (3:06) # "Real Low Down Lonesome" (4:29) # "Harder To Blame" (4:06) # "If Heaven Is A Hotel" (3:08) # "Splenda Daddy" (3:04) # "Dance in the Fire" (3:51) # "Wasted and Wanting" (3:21) # "Something For Nothing" (3:12)
|- |''Medium Raw''<ref>{{Citation|title=Early James - Medium Raw|website=discogs.com|url=https://www.discogs.com/master/3715818-Early-James-Medium-Raw}}</ref> | * Released: January 10, 2025 * Label: Easy Eye Sound
Collaborators:<ref>{{Citation|title=Early James - Medium Raw|url=https://earlyjamesandthelatest.bandcamp.com/album/medium-raw|website=bandcamp.com}}</ref>
* “I Got This Problem” co-written with Pat McLaughlin and Dan Auerbach * “Nothing Surprises Me Anymore” co-written with Jeff Trott * "Go Down Swinging” co-written with Langhorne Slim * "Upside Down Umbrella” co-written with Mick Flannery * "Unspeakable Thing" co-written with Ryan Sobb
| # "Steely Knives" (3:01) # "Nothing Surprises Me Anymore" (3:06) # "Tinfoil Hat" (5:27) # "Go Down Swinging" (2:59) # "Rag Doll" (3:55) # "Gravy Train" (3:23) # "I Could Just Die Right Now" (4:15) # "Unspeakable Thing" (3:09) # "Beauty Queen" (5:08) # "Dig To China" (6:54) # "Upside Down Umbrella" (2:54) # " I Got This Problem" (2:32) |}
=== Extended plays === {| class="wikitable" !Title !Details !Songs |- |''Early James and the Latest''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Release group "Early James and the Latest" by Early James – MusicBrainz|url=https://musicbrainz.org/release-group/8861acee-be62-4f21-88a0-494f65b02c54|access-date=2021-09-15|website=musicbrainz.org}}</ref> | * Released: November 1, 2018 * Label: Self-released | # "Dig to China" (3:51) # "Blow for Blow" (2:54) # "Taste of Sin" (4:26) # "Damn Tornado" (3:13) |}
=== Singles === {| class="wikitable" !Title !Details !Songs |- |"It Doesn't Matter Now"<ref>{{Cite web|title=Release group "It Doesn't Matter Now" by Early James – MusicBrainz|url=https://musicbrainz.org/release-group/adc0eba1-077b-4a4d-8ce4-8360f1d3e6d2|access-date=2021-09-15|website=musicbrainz.org}}</ref> | * Released: March 13, 2021 * Label: Easy Eye Sound | # "It Doesn't Matter Now" (3:27) |- |"Tumbleweed" b/w "Mama Can Be My Valentine"<ref>{{Cite web|title=Release group "Tumbleweed b/w Mama Can Be My Valentine" by Early James – MusicBrainz|url=https://musicbrainz.org/release-group/b8fb4e13-c0de-42df-b6aa-5b5102280a13|access-date=2021-09-15|website=musicbrainz.org}}</ref> | * Released: August 6, 2021 * Label: Easy Eye Sound | # "Tumbleweed" (2:08) # "Mama Can Be My Valentine" (2:28) |}
== References == {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:James, Early}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters Category:American male singer-songwriters Category:Singers from Birmingham, Alabama Category:People from Troy, Alabama Category:21st-century American male singers Category:Nonesuch Records artists Category:Singer-songwriters from Alabama