Early James strips it down on "Medium Raw"; NL festivals coming up

Alabama-born singer-songwriter Early James goes back to basics on his third album, Medium Raw — a raw, intimate collection recorded not in a studio, but in a creaky old Nashville house known as “Honky Chateau.”

Produced by Dan Auerbach, the album ditches polish for vibe, with vintage gear, natural reverb, and minimal overdubs capturing the unfiltered emotion of James’ performance. “You can even see the room when you close your eyes,” Auerbach says. The songs, co-written with the likes of Pat McLaughlin and Langhorne Slim, mix dark humor, smart wordplay, and a lived-in blues feel that recalls his earliest recordings.

James is currently touring in support of Medium Raw, with two Dutch festival appearances set for later this month. Expect loose, evolving live sets — or as he puts it, “You never know what it’s going to be wearing.”

08/06: Raalte, NL - Ribs & Blues
20/06: Grolloo, NL - Holland International Blues Festival