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James Pants Biography

james-pants
  • Born:
  • Years Active: 2000s-present
  • Genre: Rock & Alternative

Stones Throw Records-affiliated James Pants is a one-man band whose humorous dance-funk music style is informed by early-'80s R&B/soul and old-school hip-hop as well as whatever thrift-store gear he comes across in his sleepy hometown of Spokane, Washington. Born James Singleton, he's a multi-instrumentalist (drums, keyboards, guitar, etc.), a skilled beatmaker, and a capable soul singer, and isn't afraid to infuse his music with a self-deprecating sense of humor. He became acquainted with Stones Throw label head Peanut Butter Wolf after a DJ performance, when he offered to take him record shopping the following day. Peanut Butter Wolf gladly accepted the friendly gesture from Pants, and the two stayed in touch for years. Over time, Peanut Butter Wolf grew increasingly impressed with the mixtapes and production work of Pants, and beginning in 2006 with the placement of "Do a Couple of Things" on the Peanut Butter Wolf Presents Chrome Children compilation, he began releasing his music on Stones Throw Records. In 2007 Pants released the Kash 12" EP, and also that year, the track "Murder" was compiled on Chrome Children, Vol. 2. Along with another 12" release, We're Through, in 2008 Pants released his full-length album debut, Welcome. In support of the album, Pants toured as a DJ with Peanut Butter Wolf and Jamie Lidell, respectively. Future outings found him growing more experimental. Released in 2009, Seven Seals was designed as a concept album from the perspective of a cult leader, and 2011's James Pants tied together space age production with raw instrumentation. ~ Jason Birchmeier, Rovi

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