Aaron James

My new single “Navel Tree” was released into the world last week…

I hope if it finds you it can bring you some introspection and a moment of pause as we head into warmer months.

It’s been far too long since I’ve released any music and I’m so thankful to the team who help bring these things to life.

Proud of the songs I’ve been writing lately, thankful for the thoughts that pass through me, energized af creatively and also in the process of finishing a big non-music related project. Things are overall decent! Enjoy “Navel Tree” and talk to you soon…

-Aaron

I have a new song called “Navel Tree” that comes out tonight at midnight

It’s about growing old with someone, and then losing your partner later in life and having to figure out how to navigate your later years without that comfort person…a moment that I don’t think a lot of us think enough about until we’re there and it happens.

Classic feel good Aaron James song.

I love writing songs. Sometimes I love it so much to the point where it feels odd sharing them…maybe that’s a thought I’ll explore more later, but for now I’m happy for this to hopefully be the first of many ideas I have stocked up to make its way into the universe.

Hope this song finds its way to you and hope you’re all doing well.

-Aaron

“Under Strange Suns” was an original ballet my partner Emilia Sandoval choreographed and debuted with Ballet Memphis this past February. We had talked about collaborating for awhile, but this was our first big project together, as she agreed to let me compose the score for her work.

This is a short clip of the first time I ever brought her to a studio session, we laid down some vocal ideas and continued crafting the vision.

This was such a fun project that I can’t wait to do again soon, and I’m so thankful to share life with such a wildly creative human 💐 (also the ballet turned out incredibly!)

I released exactly 1 song last year. A quite depressing fact.

The past several months I’ve been putting a lot of focus into side quests that have left me feeling creatively fulfilled in ways I feel like I really needed both as an artist and as a human.

And sometimes, you need to walk away from something to remember…and at times even redefine, what it means to you

I wouldn’t say I ever walked away from songs but I’ve been redefining what they mean to me lately. And I’m enjoying this season of new definitions

I'm scoring my very first ballet!

For the past month I've been working at OUTERSPACE. studio alongside my long time sonic partner Kid Maestro to score a 20+ minute long ballet that will premiere at Ballet Memphis next month. It's been an incredible journey crafting the sonic world this work will live in, and even more fulfilling to get to work with Emilia Sandoval on the vision.

Here's a few small behind the scenes clips, much more coming soon! And thank you as always to UNAPOLOGETIC. for providing the space and resources.

"Under Strange Suns"
Feb. 13-15

Another unreleased song is up on my Substack this week...this one tentatively called "The Worst".

It’s about being a bit awkward at times in social interaction, but more specifically, it’s about how after you have an awkward exchange or two and it’s funny in an endearing and ironic way, suddenly, whenever you see those people again…they expect that same energy and demeanor from you…and even though maybe you’re trying to work on being better in social encounters and having more meaningful conversations, now you feel like you always have to put on the performance of being this person that they believe you to be simply because you had a few funny encounters in the past.

Full song and lyrics below in the comments. Thank you so much to all of those who already are subscribed to my Substack, it helps me more than you know!!

A song called “Motions” that I wrote a few weeks ago…inspired by my fear that we’re all becoming numb to so many things that we should be feeling deeply about…and how quickly we as a people go from being outraged about something to just back to normal. I find there are often things that linger on my heart and mind for quite some time, but then there are also times that I myself find that I fall into the trance of everyday life…and this song was born out of the frustration that came from that self-awareness

Full song on my Substack in the comments below...

"Your Secret Name" from my 2022 album Nobody Really Makes Love Anymore...available on all streaming platforms