James Riley is a songwriter and performer whose music sits at the intersection of folk, soul, and acoustic pop — rooted in live, tactile instrumentation and led by lyrics that favour story, subtlety and poetic flair. His guitar style is percussive and rhythmic, often acting as both melody and pulse, while his voice moves between quiet intimacy and raw declaration.
James’s sound is acoustic at its core, but stretches its boundaries — with swooping fiddle lines, minimal grooves, flickers of 80s/90s pop, and a feel for live, unpolished interplay. When performing with his trio, that sound deepens: James Patrick Gavin’s instinctive, fiery fiddle brings both lyricism and bite, while Tim Fairhall’s upright bass — equal parts anchor and counterpoint — lends a fluid, jazz-honed sense of rhythm. Together, they create a space that’s intimate but expansive, leaning into connection rather than spectacle.
A folk genius – BBC DJ Janice Long
It hooked us on first listen…from the harmonies to the guitar work there’s nothing to not like – Folk Radio UK
