‘225’ Press Play: Jodi James’ “The Other Side” and “Just the Girl”

Photo above of Jodi James, courtesy of the artist.

225‘s Press Play gives you an exclusive listen to a local band’s latest songs before the release date

Local singer-songwriter Jodi James is returning with a new full-length next week. Things I Leave Behind is James’ first long player and third release overall. The new album will be available through jodijamesmusic.com Tuesday, April 14.

To celebrate the release, James will perform with her band Saturday, April 11 at The Varsity. Tickets are $10. Doors open at 8 p.m. The show starts at 9 p.m. Denton Hatcher will also perform. For more information, click here.

After playing in local bands and traveling to San Francisco and New York, James came back to Baton Rouge in 2005, reemerging in the scene a changed person, unafraid to go to the personal places for her craft.

“I used to rock out, wear the black eyeliner and get up there and scream,” she says. “That’s what I thought I had to do. I ruined my voice for a long time. [Being that rock-type personality] wasn’t even what I wanted. I realized I have to be me all the time.”

“Being me” meant being open and vulnerable.

“I’m not an entertainer,” she says. “I’m a singer-songwriter. I get up there and share.”

Her new album features 10 tunes. She credits her current band—featuring bassist David Hinson, drummer Micah Blouin, guitarist Bo Jamison, and pedal steel guitarist Paul Buller, to name a few—for bringing them to life.

“A lot of these songs were written when I was in a different place personally,” she says. “I didn’t feel them anymore, but I knew they needed to be out in some tangible form. I found a new appreciation for them because of [the band’s] influence.”

Check out “The Other Side” and “Just the Girl” below.