Las Vegas, NV -- (SBWire) -- 01/15/2014 --Hailing from St. Catharines, ON, up-and-coming Canadian music artist Wesley James dabbles in hip-hop, R&B and pop and has hit the ground running with a career and distinct sound that is destined to bring him devoted listeners and critical acclaim. Wesley has had a variety of influences and events in his life that have propelled his music career forward, and he has big plans for the future with his upcoming full-length album, which follows his debut EP, The Wesley James EP (May 2013).
On his way to musical success, Wesley enjoyed his first exposure to celebrity life at a young age while working as an assistant on the Jay Leno show. While working behind-the-scenes, he met celebrities, producers and engineers in a studio setting that many can only dream of seeing first-hand. The experience taught him that superstars are just like normal people, and he appreciated their company and conversation. He enjoyed complimentary words from these people who “had it made,” which was a major confidence booster for him at a young age. He names this experience as one of the initial inspirations for him to return to Canada with one passion and one drive: to follow his heart and create music that touches people by producing his first recording, self-published The Wesley James EP.
He gave his first solo performance on the island of Roatan in Honduras. He found a variety of people and an international crowd in attendance, including people who were black, Rastafarian, European tourists and local Islanders. After playing his heart out to the crowd, that audience reacted favorably and was determined to compliment him and assure him that he had the talent he needed to move forward with his music career. When he realized that people from all over the world wanted to hear more of his music, this solidified his intentions to play from the heart, and the music would continue to write itself.
A self-taught instrumentalist, Wesley is proficient at piano, drums, bass guitar, harmonica and a little bit of saxophone. This makes writing and playing the music on his records easier to produce because he’s given the freedom to work without having to rely on anyone’s assistance. Working at his own pace and through his own vision, he finds there are no arguments about direction or genre when he works this way. He’s a self-starter and prefers it that way, and he works to prove that he is completely unique in the music world because otherwise, as he puts it, “What is the point?” He’s primarily a solo artist, but he also has the opportunity to work with different backup members in the band regularly.
Wesley names Carlos Santana, Citizen Cope, Damian Marley and Sade as chief musical influences, but his music is generally indescribable for most people, though it has an essence of hip hop with R&B and pop sensibilities. The content of his music encompasses a variety of inspirations. He writes aggressively about people’s addictions and other personal issues that are common in everyday society, such as drugs, anger, betrayal and bullying, some of which was personally inspired by losing friends to drug abuse and suicide while still in high school. Wesley feels that music gives him an opportunity to give people a positive outlet to embrace their problems and work to solve them. He wants his listeners to stop trying to be like other people and to pay attention to their inner selves. He enjoys writing about being the best you his listeners can be and about being the person each one is meant to be.
Since his initial shows, he’s gone on to sell out his first headlining show, the support from which drove him to continue performing to the best of his ability. He’s also played with such national artists as USS, IllScarlet and Red Light King.
Wesley will contribute his track “Sugar” to WiFi PR Group’s compilation Indie Anthems Vol. 4. The digital mixtape will be handed out on a limited number of download cards at SXSW in March 2014.
Looking toward the future, he is finishing up his first full-length album in the next few months and looking for backup singers to enhance his live performances.
Check out Bullets and Bathsalt, The Garden City and Bestfriend on YouTube. You can find Wesley James’ music online at CD Baby, iTunes and Amazon. You can also find hard copies at his shows.
About Wesley James Music
The Wesley James EP (2013)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wesleyjamesofficial
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wesleyjamesk
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/wesleyjamesofficial
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/wesleyjames
Media Contact:
Alisa St. Rock
WiFi PR Group
800.614.6473 Ext.1
wifiprgroup@gmail.com
www.wifiprgroup.com
About WiFi PR Group
WiFi PR Group, http://www.wifiprgroup.com, based in Los Angeles, CA, is an innovative marketing force in the interconnecting worlds of Philanthropy, Business and Entertainment. Specializing in digital publicity and branding, WiFi PR works closely with its clients to create business to business and business to consumer campaigns.
