Some styles never go out of fashion. The Blues will never die so long as there are talented and passionate artists around to carry on the legacy; artists like James Taplin. With a big voice and an even bigger heart, he captures the classic tried and tested sound of the deep south and performs with an easy-going rapport that’s hard not to love. With songs like ‘Dragging My Feet’, the title track from his self-released debut EP, ‘Just One Rule’ and ‘Antidepressant Blues’ he sounds like there is an old soul within, trying to live on in stories from days long past. When he’s not channeling the spirit of some delta blues legend, his live performances show a different side to his talents. Thriving in front of an eager crowd, he can also perfectly capture the folk troubadour vibe of artists such as James Taylor and Cat Stevens.  Mastering just one of these styles is more than enough to make him worth your time, mastering both means he is the perfect choice for our latest Spotlight artist. Anyone fond of folk or bewitched by the blues is sure to be swiftly won over by this up-and-coming singer/songwriter.

Fans of Dan Owen, Foy Vance, Rag’n’Bone Man, Seasick Steve and Gavin James should check him out!