bio
James Collin
James Collin is an American multi-instrumentalist and songwriter based in Chicago, IL.
He has officially released three albums: "As Luck Would Have It" in January, 2006, "mot.ion" in August, 2010 and "L+R-A+D" in March, 2011. Two more albums are in the works - "move.ment", an EP featuring a full backing band and written as a companion to "mot.ion", and a yet to be titled full length featuring collaborations with french singer and lyricist Bruno Gatinet. In addition to albums, Collin often shares singles, demoes and videos through his web site.
He has written music for short videos, trailers and short films, including "In the Doghouse" and "Time Always Moving". He was featured as Ambient Artist of the Month on the former GarageBand.com, as well iCompositions.com. More recently his song "Aube" was chosen as the closing track for a limited edition compilation of Michigan artists, "In The Orchard of Osiris".
The Sound
James Collin's songwriting process is a constant evolution. His work carries very cinematic and emotional qualities and seems to tell stories and paint pictures with harmony and melody. He draws on inspiration from daily life, his friends, and favorite artists, employing new techniques and styles at every turn. "As Luck Would Have It" is an explorative work encompassing instrumental rock, acoustic, electronic and orchestral sounds that serves as a sample platter for his career. He began performing in the summer of 2006, in art galleries and coffee shops, solo and with a backing band, in his then home state of Michigan. In the years to follow, Collin continued experimenting with genres, instrumentation, as well as recording techniques, to both broaden and solidify his style.
In his 2010 EP, "mot.ion", Collin incorporates a slightly more traditional electronic style, while still maintaining what has come to be know as his signature style - repetitive, melodic structures, woven together, building into an emotional and harmonic aural experience. His work often features electric guitar, electric and acoustic piano, strings and synthesizers. In February 2011, he took up the RPM Challenge, writing and recording an entire album in one month. The result is something entirely new - "L+R-A+D" - a minimalist and ambient collection of movements, and a conscious effort to refine both genres.
The Artist
James Collin was born Christopher James Detmer in 1979, to a working class family in Indianapolis, IN. As a child, Collin was constantly surrounded by music. His parents started his musical diet with vinyl - The Beatles, Miles Davis, The Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, The Beach Boys, and many more. He began singing and taking ballet while in elementary school. After moving to Michigan he started piano lessons, then switched to trumpet for school. After attending Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp one summer he had found his muse. From then on Collin did everything he could to be involved in music. He joined the school concert band and choir, took part in musicals, and briefly formed an after school jazz vocal group.
At 15 he picked up the guitar. A series of bands followed, including ska, progressive, alternative and post-hardcore ensembles, most notably the group Hunter Rose and a brief stint with emo stalwart, Ettison Clio. After entering Michigan State University, Collin fell in with the glee club, which led to impromptu concerts in churches and pubs around western Europe. A few years later he returned, this time to Bregenz, Austria, to study german and opera in the heart of the classical music world.
With the advent of inexpensive, computer-base home recording, Collin found it increasing easy to compose and experiment. He uses both the studio and the stage as a drafting table to write, arrange and rework his songs. He performs on occasion in and around Chicago.