EP & VIDEO
Reviews & Interviews
DECEMBER 27, 2021- REBEL NOISE
by Joe Pugsley
REVIEW: Cecilia James “Different Ground” Music Video Premiere
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Surreal and sultry melody accompanied by beautifully textured and effective imagery make up this incredible new video for Cecilia James’ intoxicating third and final single “Different Ground”, the title track from her amazing debut record. Video premieres 12/28 right here and on YouTube!
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​The track starts with nice melodic, quiet guitars and Cecilia’s intense vocals delicately finding their place over the music, creating a relaxed landscape that also seems to have a somewhat anxious feel to it (which you get from the feel of the lyrics – “our hearts beat now on different ground..”), and around the one-minute mark, what seems like a bridge but ends up a chorus of sorts, is catchy as hell and leads up to a buildup that brings in the inclusion of percussion that blends all the elements of the song together perfectly.
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DECEMBER 28, 2021 - LUNA COLLECTIVE MAGAZINE
by ☆ BY HAZEL RAIN ☆
INTERVIEW: Q&A: Cecilia James Reflects On Heartbreak with Powerful "Different Ground" Music Video
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FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF HER DEBUT EP DIFFERENT GROUND THIS SUMMER - Santa Barbara-based musician Cecilia James has created a grungy, black and white music video for the title track. This is her first video since the EP’s release, although there are music videos for the tracks “My Name Is To Call” and “Pretty In Your Eyes” as well, which came out earlier this year.
“Different Ground” is a unique expression of what it means to feel far away from a person. Written about heartbreak, the song has changed in meaning through the years, and the music video adds a powerful visual element to an already emotionally impactful song. It brings a sense of completion to the musical project as a whole, with rich vocals, intense imagery, and thoughtful writing about relationships tied together into something wonderful.
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Read full interview
SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 - RIFFS & RHYMES
REVIEW AND INTERVIEW: Cecilia James on the Ebbs and Flows of Creativity and Her Dreamy New EP, ‘Different Ground’
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So much can be said about songs and how they serve as vehicles for how we process our emotions. As a listener, they soundtrack the whirlwind of feelings we attach to life’s most significant moments. From the perspective of the creator, a song represents pure catharsis – a space where the artist is able to grow and reflect within their own work. Whether we approach “the song” from a vantage point of consumption or creation, the fact remains they have an ever-evolving relationship to the time and place in which they were born and first realized.
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For as long as she can remember, songs have been at the center of Cecilia James’ world. A multi-faceted artist whose portfolio includes drawing, sculpture, screen printing, and analog photography, James’ music has always served a distinct purpose for both her creative identity and personal growth. More specifically, songwriting has long been her preferred therapeutic practice, or as she puts it, “an outlet for dealing with my feelings.”
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AUGUST 24, 2021 - COASTAL VIEW NEWS
BY EVELYN SPENCE
SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 - GRRRL MUSIC
REVIEW: Cecilia James has been creating waves — in her voice, her guitars, and even her music videos.
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A Joni Mitchell comparison would be accurate, you can hear the Californian in her sound, but James’s music still tiptoes between the dreamy and delicate. “Sonic Baby”, the opening track of her debut EP, Different Ground, is an immediate introduction to the all-encompassing type of song Cecilia James creates. Her brand of indie-pop lets you really drift into the slightly nostalgic fever dream sound.
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SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 - COASTAL VIEW NEWS
INTERVIEW: Carpinteria artist tackles struggles of growing up in debut EP
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Over the past decade, many Carpinterians have become familiar with the iconic sight of a young girl with a pink guitar, sitting at the regular Linden Avenue farmers market and singing her heart out.
Now, that young Carpinterian – then known as Jamey Geston, now as Cecilia James – is 22 years old, and her debut EP, “Different Grounds,” is out for release.
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AUGUST 31, 2021 - EGOMANIA MAGAZINE
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"Releasing music is very vulnerable and it’s hard work"
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My name is Cecilia James, and I am a singer-songwriter & artist from Santa Barbara, CA. I make music about love & dreams & change. I just released my debut EP, Different Ground, on July 30th. Here is my self-interview.
Who is Cecilia James?
Cecilia James was born in August 2020. Prior to that, I went by my birth name for all my music and art endeavors. This change was needed in order to grow past the person and artist I once was. It’s been nice to rebrand myself because it has allowed me to curate a new persona.
To me, Cecilia is softer, more sophisticated, more poetic, and maybe a bit darker. I’ll always be the same person, but with this new name, my intentions with music and art have changed. I am more devotional to my craft than I have ever been before.
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BLOG: CECILIA JAMES REFLECTS ON ADOLESCENCE THROUGH DEBUT EP “DIFFERENT GROUND”
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Different Ground is the perfect EP for reflection. The whispiness of Cecilia’s voice alongside the soothing acoustic guitar takes you away, as you’re met with a content sense of nostalgia for bygone times. My favorite track personally is “Pretty in Your Eyes”.
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August 12, 2021
The Luna Collection by Hazel Rain
INTERVIEW: Diving Into the Musical and Visuals Sides of Relationships, Cecilia James Talks EP 'Different Ground'
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WITH DREAMY VOCALS, SOFT GUITAR, AND VULNERABLE LYRICS — Cecilia James showcases the complexities of love, making something truly special with her debut EP, Different Ground, released July 30. On her Spotify page, she created a playlist of musical artists that inspire her. Her atmospheric songs fit perfectly with the tones of these other musicians, such as Daughter and Haley Heynderickx.
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INTERVIEW: Cecilia James releases debut EP 'Different Ground': "It's about growing up, learning and change."
With her innate talent to create earthy, deeply connective music, Cecilia James is shaping up to be a singer-songwriter that promises to deliver some really special things in the next few years. We recently caught up with her to find out more.
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