Music

James Ignacio

Chippewa Falls string master to release album

Matt Ledger |

 
James Ignacio enjoys the view.

It’s slightly ironic that James Ignacio’s first solo CD, About a Block Down Wilson, centers on feelings of home, because the California native has definitely found one here in the music scene of the Chippewa Valley. In addition to playing his own solo stuff, James, who has a degree in music with a jazz emphasis from Sonoma State, can be found playing guitar with Jeff White in the long running group The Sidekicks, or covering the likes of the Avett Brothers and Bob Dylan with Dan Boetcher in the new duo DAMES, or playing his first love, the saxophone, in the jazz fusion group Fat Cigar. That’s all on top of working a full-time job and finding the time to be a father. It may be a busy one, but Ignacio still feels that he’s “built a pretty good life here.” For a couple years now though, James’ real passion has been producing his own album. However, with his schedule the way it is, “there’s been a whole bunch of starts and stops,” he says, “but once I got down to it, recording was pretty simple and easy because I’ve been playing these songs for awhile.” The songs, most of which were written over the first four years of Ignacio’s career, are full of acoustic melodies and vocals that are soft yet soulful, and smooth, yet driving. If you like Dave Matthews, you’ll undoubtedly like James’ stuff. There’s also “some sillier acoustic stuff,” says Ignacio (check out Monkeys and Bananas for a prime example of that), “but I try to do some songs that are true to myself.” The result is  heartfelt set of music that should earn some listening time in your own busy schedule.

    James Ignacio CD Release Party • May 7 • James Sheeley House, 236 W River St., Chippewa Falls • 8pm • FREE • ages 21+ • 726-0561 • www.myspace.com/jamesignacio