James Blake (musician)

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James Blake
James Blake - Roskilde Festival 2011.jpg
Blake performing at Roskilde Festival 2011
Background information
Also known as Harmonimix
Born (1988-09-27) 27 September 1988 (age 35)
Enfield, London, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
  • musician
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • synthesizer
Years active 2009–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website jamesblakemusic.com
Notable instruments

James Blake Litherland (born 26 September 1988),[1] known as James Blake, is an English electronic music producer and singer-songwriter from London. He first received recognition in 2010 for a trio of dubstep-influenced EPs, and the following year his self-titled debut album was released in the United Kingdom[2] to critical praise. His second studio album Overgrown was released in 2013 and was awarded the Mercury Prize.[3] His third studio album The Colour in Anything was released in 2016.[4] Blake has also released remix work under the moniker Harmonimix.

Blake received his first Grammy nomination at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards for Best New Artist.[5] At the 2014 Brit Awards, Blake was nominated for the Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist.[6]

Career

2009–10: Early releases

Blake began his music career by releasing his debut 12" record, entitled "Air & Lack Thereof" in the United Kingdom during July 2009, while being persistent in recording songs in his bedroom. Having been released on the imprint record label, Hemlock, the extended-play became a favourite of BBC Radio 1 DJ Gilles Peterson.[7] Soon after the release of the record Blake was invited by Peterson to do a special mix on his international show, including an exclusive Mount Kimbie track.[7] During that time, Blake attended Goldsmiths, University of London, where he studied popular music. As his second year composition assignment, he submitted the soon-to-be-released Klavierwerke EP.[8]

File:James Blake.jpg
James Blake performing at Glastonbury Festival June 2011

A third EP, entitled CMYK, was released through R&S Records during 2010.[9] The title track, "CMYK" was selected by BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw as his Record of the Week[10] and also received airplay from other DJs. On 29 September 2010, Zane Lowe selected Blake's cover version of "Limit to Your Love" as his "Hottest Record in the World". The song was written and originally recorded by Feist and appeared on her studio album, The Reminder. The single was released in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2010,[11] where it debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 47.[12]

2011: Self-titled album

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Main article: James Blake (album)

Blake was nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011, an annual poll that highlights the forthcoming year's likely successful musicians;[13] he was eventually placed second, ahead of fellow shortlisted acts; The Vaccines, Jamie Woon and Clare Maguire. It was also revealed on 15 December 2010 that Blake had been made the runner-up behind singer-songwriter Jessie J at the BRIT Awards' "Critic's Choice".[14] In January 2011, Blake was awarded Single of the Year (2010) for "CMYK" at Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards. Blake's work found itself on numerous 2010 year-end best-of lists, with "CMYK" ranking 24th on Frontier Psychiatrist's top 40 songs of the year,[15] the Bells Sketch/CMYK/Klavierwerke EPs ranking 8th on Pitchfork Media's top 50 albums of 2010, and "I Only Know (What I Know Now)" ranking 8th on Pitchfork's top 100 tracks of 2010.[16]

Blake revealed in late December 2010 that his album would be self-titled, and the 11-track James Blake was released on 7 February 2011.[2] Only days after the original announcement was made, the album was leaked onto the internet.[17] On 9 January 2011, "The Wilhelm Scream" was trailed as the album's second single ("Limit To Your Love" was also included on the album).[18] In February 2011, James Blake first appeared on the cover of the publication The Fader, in its 72nd issue.[19] Blake debuted a collaboration with Bon Iver called "Fall Creek Boys Choir" in August 2011 and during the next month, the BBC released an exclusive mix by Blake, which included 10 of his unreleased songs. These included "Deeds", "Olivia Kept", and "Evening Fell Hard for Us". During the final weeks of 2012, James Blake performed three "intimate" shows where he debuted new songs.[20]

Later that year, Blake released both the Enough Thunder and Love What Happened Here EPs in 2011. These EPs, noticeably more structured than his previous releases, featured R&B-tinged work as opposed to the experimental electronic style found on CMYK. Some reviewers expressed doubt about Blake's stylistic movement, with Pitchfork's Larry Fitzmaurice saying that "[his] reliance on piano-based singer/songwriter electro-soul perhaps played it a bit too safe, prompting comparisons to the once-outré, now-gear spinning career of fellow avant-crooner Jamie Lidell".[21]

2012–13: Overgrown

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Main article: Overgrown
Blake performing in 2013

Early in 2012, Blake spent time with American rapper Kanye West (who named Blake as his favorite artist)[22] and singer Justin Vernon. Later that year, Blake announced a new collaborative non-single release under the moniker Harmonimix with British rapper Trim; the single "Confidence Boost/Saying" was released on 24 September 2012. Also in 2012, Blake and friends (including Foat, Nick Sigsworth, and touring musicians Rob McAndrews and Ben Assiter) secured a residency at the club Plastic People as the collective 1-800 Dinosaur, hosting a series of impromptu dance nights.[23] In the summer of 2013, the collective launched a label of the same name, on which Blake and other artists released material.[23]

Blake announced via Facebook on 7 February 2013 that his second album, Overgrown, would be released on 8 April.[24] The first single from the album, "Retrograde", was debuted the same day on BBC Radio 1, and was released on 11 February. On 25 February, the track listing and album art were revealed.[25] It was selected as Variance Magazine's Album of the Year as of December 2013.[26] The album features guest appearances from noted electronic music producer Brian Eno and Wu-Tang Clan producer and rapper RZA, and further developed the song-based R&B work of his previous releases.[27] The release received critical acclaim and was awarded the 2013 Mercury Prize. Blake noted to Hot Press that his relationship had been an influence on the album.[28]

2014–present: The Colour in Anything

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Main article: The Colour in Anything

In December 2014, during his BBC Radio 1 Residency, Blake announced that his third studio album would be titled Radio Silence and would be released in the first half of 2015.[29][30] He later confirmed that the album would feature Bon Iver and Kanye West, as well as feature guitar work from Connan Mockasin.[31]

On February 11, 2016, Blake premiered a new song entitled "Modern Soul" during his BBC Radio 1 residency.[32] On April 14, 2016, Blake revealed during a surprise hosting spot on BBC Radio 1 that he'd finished the album, and that it was 18 tracks in length. He stated that it includes one track that stretches to 20 minutes in length. Later in the broadcast he premiered a new song titled ‘Timeless’, though did not say whether it would be included on the album.[33] In a May 2016 interview with BBC Radio 1, Blake stated that he began work on the album in England, and after "running out of steam" went to America to complete the recording at Shangri La Studios with producer Rick Rubin.[34]

Blake produced and was featured on the song "Forward" from Beyonce's 2016 album Lemonade. He also co-wrote the album's opening track, "Pray You Catch Me". On April 28, social media posts by Blake and his label, 1-800 Dinosaur, reposted photos of a mural by children's novel illustrator Sir Quentin Blake (best known for his work with writer Roald Dahl) that hinted at the new album title The Colour in Anything;[35] this was confirmed as the title of his new album several days later.[36] The album was released on May 6, 2016.[37]

Musical style

Blake's early releases are fragmented electronic works[38] influenced by UK dance music styles (such as 2-step garage and the stark dubstep of artists like Burial), '90s trip hop, and contemporary R&B.[39][40] On his acclaimed trio of 2010 EPs (The Bells Sketch, CMYK, and Klavierwerke), Blake's own voice is obscured or processed in favor of vocal samples from '90s R&B, prominent sub-bass frequencies, and minimal, jittery rhythms.[39][41][42] During this period, Blake's work was tagged by journalists as "post-dubstep", alluding to his movement beyond the style's characteristics.[43][44]

Blake performing live in 2011

By the time of his 2011 debut album, Blake's vocals and piano had become more foregrounded while traditional song structures became increasingly apparent, reflecting the influence of gospel, UK bass, soul, and ambient music.[41][45] His second album Overgrown (2013) continued this trend, integrating an electronic approach with balladry and Blake's soul-inflected vocals, and featuring contributions from hip hop artist RZA and electronic musician Brian Eno.[38][39] Discussing his stylistic development, critic Mark Fisher wrote that "listening back to Blake’s records in chronological sequence is like hearing a ghost gradually assume material form [...] out of digital ether."[39]

Personal life

James Blake is the son of musician James Litherland, and showed a strong interest and aptitude in music from a young age.[46] He completed primary education at Grange Park Primary School, Winchmore Hill and secondary education at The Latymer School, Edmonton. Later on, he attended Goldsmiths, University of London, where he got a degree in Popular Music.[47]

In a 2013 interview with The Guardian, he revealed that he was in a relationship with Theresa Wayman, guitarist and vocalist of American indie rock group Warpaint,[48] though the relationship has since ended.[49]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
[50]		 AUS
[51]		 BEL
(Fl)
[52]		 BEL
(Wa)
[53]		 DEN
[54]		 IRE
[55]		 NL
[56]		 NZ
[57]		 SWI
[58]		 US
[59]
[60]		 US Dance
[61]
James Blake 9 32 1 24 2 11 6 38 9 123 4
Overgrown 8 5 12 57 2 24 32 27 16 32 1
The Colour in Anything
  • Released: 6 May 2016
  • Label: Polydor, Republic Records
  • Formats: Vinyl, CD, digital download
 13 16 23 88 21 16 20 26 19 36 1
"—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released.

EPs

Title EP details
The Bells Sketch
  • Released: 8 March 2010[66]
  • Label: Hessle Audio
  • Formats: Vinyl, digital download
CMYK
  • Released: 31 May 2010
  • Label: R&S Records
  • Formats: Vinyl, digital download
Klavierwerke
  • Released: 27 September 2010
  • Label: R&S Records
  • Formats: Vinyl, digital download
Enough Thunder[67]
  • Released: 7 October 2011
  • Label: ATLAS, Polydor
  • Formats: Vinyl, CD, digital download
Love What Happened Here
  • Released: 6 December 2011
  • Label: R&S Records
  • Formats: Vinyl, digital download
200 Press
  • Released: 8 December 2014
  • Label: 1-800 Dinosaur
  • Formats: Vinyl, digital download

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[50]		 AUT
[51]		 BEL
(Fl)
[52]		 BEL
(Wa)
[53]		 DEN
[54]		 NL
[56]
2009 "Air & Lack Thereof" — — — — — — non-album single
2010 "Limit to Your Love" 39 63 5 42 3 7 James Blake
2011 "The Wilhelm Scream" 136 — 64 82 — —
"Lindisfarne / Unluck" — — — — — —
"Order / Pan" — — — — — — non-album single
"Fall Creek Boys Choir"
(with Bon Iver)		 — — — — — — Enough Thunder
"A Case of You" — — 78 — — —
2013 "Retrograde" 87 — 88 — 10 — Overgrown
"Overgrown" — — — — — —
"Life Round Here" — — — — — —
2016 "Modern Soul" — — — — — — The Colour in Anything
"Timeless" — — — — — —
"Radio Silence" — — — — — —
"My Willing Heart" — — — — — —
"I Need a Forest Fire"
(featuring Bon Iver)		 195 — — — — —

As featured artist

Year Song Album
2014 "0 to 100 / The Catch Up"
(Drake)		 non-album single
2016 "Forward"
(Beyoncé featuring James Blake)		 Lemonade
as Harmonimix
  • 2012: "Confidence Boost"—Harmonimix & Trimbal

Remixes

Year Artist Song Title
2009 Untold "Stop What You're Doing" James Blake Remix
2010 Mount Kimbie "Maybes" James Blake Remix
2010 Destiny's Child "Bills, Bills, Bills" James Blake Remix
2013 Mala "Changes" Harmonimix Remix
2013 Drake "Come Thru" James Blake Remix
2014 Beyoncé "Drunk in Love" Harmonimix Remix

Music videos

Year Title Director
2010 "Limit to Your Love" Martin de Thurah[68]
2011 "The Wilhelm Scream" Alexander Brown[69]
"Lindisfarne" Martin de Thurah[70]
"A Case of You" Seb Edwards[71]
2013 "Retrograde" Martin de Thurah[72]
"Overgrown" Nabil[73]
"Voyeur" Tobias Revell and Ferry Gouw[74]
"Life Round Here (feat. Chance The Rapper)" Nabil[75]
2016 "I Need a Forest Fire" Matt Clark
as Harmonimix
Year Title Director
2012 "Confidence Boost (Harmonimix & Trim)" Rollo Jackson[76]

Awards and nominations

On 19 July 2011, Blake was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize 2011 for his self-titled debut album;[3] the award was won by PJ Harvey. However, in 2013, he was nominated again for Overgrown, and subsequently won the award, the result being announced on 30 October. The judges at the event described his album as "...late night music for the digital age. An inventive, poignant and poetic record of great beauty."[77][78] He was also nominated for Best New Artist at the 2014 Grammy Awards.

Year Organisation Nominated work Award Result
2010 Worldwide Winners Awards "CMYK" Single of the Year Won
2011 BBC Sound of 2011 James Blake Sound of 2011 Second place
2011 BRIT Awards James Blake Critic's Choice Nominated
2011 Mercury Prize James Blake Mercury Prize Nominated
Q Awards James Blake Breakthrough Artist Nominated
2012 Ivor Novello Awards "The Wilhelm Scream" Best Contemporary Song Nominated
2012 BRIT Awards James Blake British Male Solo Artist Nominated
2012 MTV Video Music Awards Japan "Limit to Your Love" Best New Artist Nominated
Best Dance Video Nominated
2013 2013 Mercury Prize Overgrown Mercury Prize Won
2013 UK Music Video Awards "Overgrown" Best Alternative Video Nominated
"Retrograde" Best Colour Grade In a Video Nominated
2014 56th Grammy Awards James Blake Best New Artist Nominated
2014 BRIT Awards James Blake British Male Solo Artist Nominated
mtvU Woodie Awards "Life Round Here" Best Collaboration Woodie (shared with Chance the Rapper) Nominated
Music Producers Guild Awards Overgrown UK Album of the Year (sponsored by Universal Audio) Nominated
2014 World Music Awards James Blake World's Best Male Artist Nominated
World's Best Live Act Nominated
World's Best Entertainer Nominated
Ivor Novello Awards "Retrograde" Best Contemporary Song Won

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "James Blake – Album Release Information", Retrieved 2011-01-06
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ "Brits 2014: Nominations in full". BBC News. Retrieved 19 January 2014
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  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ "James Blake – Limit To Your Love – Release Date", retrieved 2011-01-06
  12. ↑ "James Blake – Limit To Your Love – Chart Run", retrieved 2011-01-06
  13. ↑ "BBC Sound of 2011 – James Blake Profile", retrieved 2011-01-06
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Rolling Stone
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ The Top 25 Albums of the Year 2013
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ James Blake Says Kanye West and Bon Iver's Justin Vernon Will Appear on His New Album
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Bowe, Miles. James Blake Hints at New Album Title and Artwork. Fact. 28 April 2016.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ http://www.gq.com/entertainment/music/201502/james-blake
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 Peak positions in the United Kingdom:
    • For all except where noted: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    • For "The Wilhelm Scream": Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    • For "Retrograde": Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    • For "I Need a Forest Fire": Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  58. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  59. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  60. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  61. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  62. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 64.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  65. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  66. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  67. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  68. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  69. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  70. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  71. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  72. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  73. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  74. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  75. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  76. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  77. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  78. ↑ James Blake wins Mercury music prize for album Overgrown | Music | The Guardian

External links

Preceded by Sound of... Runner-up
2011		 Succeeded by
Frank Ocean
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