James Raynard: Biography
James Raynard is a young English folk singer, guitarist and fiddle player, based in Yorkshire. In 2005 he was signed to One Little Indian Record's folk imprint Unearthed. His debut album Strange Histories was launched at Cambridge Folk Festival and officially released on September 10th 2005.
James is a self-taught musician who discovered folk music in his early twenties via Bob Dylan rather than through the classic route of family upbringing. When James turned his attention to English folk music he soon cultivated a deep and often obsessive fascination. His explorations led him to take up the fiddle and to study Folklore at Sheffield University. As James started to develop as a performer he formed a close relationship with folk hero Martin Carthy, who says,
"James Raynard loves music, is inquisitive, passionate and brave. He is willing to take the sort of chances which make music an exciting place in which to work."
Under the guidance of Carthy and mighty fiddle-player Gina Le Faux, James went on to performances alongside such well-known folk names as John and Benji Kirkpatrick, Eddie Upton and Rob Harbron.
James' strong sense of rhythm was apparent in all his performances and he was in demand as a traditional dance musician, but it was his direct and engaging treatment of folksongs that brought him notoriety. James was signed to Unearthed in Late 2004.
An interest in the earliest known English music peppers his repertoire and an 'echo of the medieval' is often apparent, perhaps most notably in his rendition of the old ballad The Outlandish Knight. The result is a performer who brings character and energy and his live shows and recordings, while upholding the simplest methods of presentation.
By spring 2005 James was in a castle in Herefordshire recording his debut solo album with producer Jim Moray. After appearances at festivals and on BBC Radio 2's Mike Harding Show, his album was officially released in September '05.
James is also a member of stomping Sheffield-based folk trio Rackaback.
