Bio
Tim "Snufkin" James comes from Cheshire in the UK. He was influenced by the usual favorites from the Liverpool and Manchester area whilst growing up including; Smiths, Teardrop Explodes, Echo and the Bunnymen, Stones Roses, Joy Division etc, but these influences have been fused with the much more family oriented style of Irish Folk and conversely with contemporary rhythms associated with electro pop, dance and funk. His Uncle, Tom Topping of the Tom Topping Band, ran a folk club on the Wirral in the North West of England for many years while Tim was growing up. Many well known musicians played there including Gerry Rafferty and Barbara Dickson and the natural, acoustic live approach James experienced had a lasting effect on him as an artist. This Folk background led him to the more atmospheric and challenging sounds of John Martyn and Nick Drake who are often cited as being amongst his major influences. Singing in a band with backing vocalist, keyboard player & percussionist James Gibbons whilst at University was the start of much live music for James, He went on to play a circuit of clubs in Berlin at a time when the city was at a turning point in its history. Whilst working in a studio in London, Tim James came across singer songwriter David Gray and became friends with Gray’s engineer and producer Iestyn Polson, who in turn introduced him to many other influential musicians and they encouraged him to go solo and to start writing.
Tim Snufkin James has been compared to the likes of Michael Stipe and Bono and cites many among his influences including; John Martyn, Nick Drake, Tim Buckley, Jeff Buckley, Gerry Rafferty, David Gray, Free, Elvis Costello, David Sylvian, Depeche Mode, AC/DC, The Clash, Gorillaz, Bjork, Van
Morrison, Tom Waits and REM.
