davis & james is a west coast duo formed in 2021. james brings to the duo his background as an orchestral violinist, classical chamber musician, and session violinist on a range of projects from math rock to alt-indie. In contrast, davis is a self-taught guitarist, vocalist, and singer-songwriter. Collaborating throughout the show-less months of covid, the duo was conceived as an exploration of a new soundscape: the intersection of their classical and indie-folk roots, with influence from the artists who got them through quarantines: Leif Vollebekk, Whitney, Leon Bridges, S. Carey, Raveena, The Japanese House, and, of course, Joni Mitchell, the staple of their pandemic playlists. 

At the heart of the project is an evolving conversation between vocals and violin. Voice and instrument mirror, echo, and contrast each other, passing back and forth the thread of both melody and meaning. The conversation is held against a palette of acoustic guitar, from which the violin and vocal melodies draw their colours. Other tones and textures are provided by the bright 12-string, a dulcimer-esque M4, warm electric guitar, analog drum machines, synth keys, layered vocal harmonies, and a slightly out-of-tune upright piano. The vibe is nostalgic film-grain, it’s you wrapped in a blanket of warm comfort and soft hope, it’s love, time, beauty, art: the fleeting everyday moments that make life precious. This is davis & james, an experience that will leave you with a welcome dose of the existentials.