Writers: Michael Starita, Joshua Redden
Producer: Michael Starita
Programming: Michael Starita
Engineer: Michael Starita
Assistant Engineer: Laura Gonzalez
Mix Engineer: Nathan Jenkins
Mastering: Michael Romanowski @ Coast Mastering
Percussion: Christian Pepin
Guitar: Michael Starita 
Keyboards: Michael Starita 
Lead Vocals: Trevor Hall
Background Vocals: Terra Lopez
Studios: Action Go Now Media, Different Fur

For The Record

Lights On feat Trevor Hall

A song that pays tribute both musically and lyrically to the western desert plains of the United States and the plight of Native Americans' historical struggle to maintain their land and freedom.

LYRICS:

There's an eagle flying westward
Just before the dawn
Reminds him of the freedom
That he had before it was gone

Native Man once again you're dealt a losing hand
Trail of tears so many years, on a road of blood and sand

Like the wolves he runs freely
In his path he’s kicking up dust
When he goes against the grain he
Is only doing what he feels he must

Native Man once again you're dealt a losing hand
Trail of tears so many years, on a road of blood and sand

When there's smoke there's gonna be fire
With a dance he'll make it rain
Following his own messiah
The paint that marks his cheek is the paint that marks his pain

Can't keep him down , can't keep him silent
Can't break the spirit of a child

Native Man once again you're dealt a losing hand
Trail of tears so many years, on a road of blood and sand

When there's smoke there's gonna be fire
With a dance he'll make it rain
Following his own messiah
The paint that marks his cheek is the paint that marks his pain

Heart Burn

Blood And Sand

A romantically inspired track involving an encounter around an open country fire pit gathering. The mood and instrumentation has Cuban musical influences

 Lyrics: Where did you come from
I never knew there was someone
Who has what u do, Turn me up turn me on
Till the morning arrives and you're gone 

Dancing flames
Burn us  alive
Dancing flames
Light up the night 
Dancing Flames
Your smoke carries our souls away

I want to get to know u 
Know more than your name 
Be my music, my muse till night turns to day
Light my soul, lose control, lets just carried away

Dancing flames
burns us alive
Dancing flames
Light up the night 
Dancing Flames
Your smoke carries our souls away

The fever is burning inside of me
Like two frost bitten lovers we’re drawn to the heat
The fever is burning up a 1000 degrees
The fire inside of you is inside of me

llama balarina

Dancing Flames

Smooth downtempo beats with heady atmospheres are what is in store for you. This is a live recording of my set at Asiento in San Francisco on May 7th 2019. My goal is to create a groove that people can connect with and enjoy intently or as a backdrop. This mix was made on a DJM-900NXS2 and two non-nexus CDJ-900's. This recording has not been edited in any way, what you hear is what I played. Hope you enjoy the music.

Live at Asiento - San Francisco, CA - 5.7.2019

**NEW FULL BAND ALBUM "Somewhere out in California" COMING SPRING 2019**
From Portland Maine to San Francisco California, Singer-Songwriter Chris James turns his life experience into song and takes you on a journey of the heart with his rich vocal style, lush chord changes and lyrical intensity. Regularly performing with his Americana band The Showdowns, the group lights up dance halls, bar, and clubs with a signature spirit of original alt-country rock n' roll.

Chris James & The Showdowns have released two full length albums with another one on the way, and songs from their records have been used in TV commercial promos and are still played in rotation on SIRIUS XM Radio as well as various FM stations throughout California and beyond. James has performed hundreds of live shows over the past few years on both coasts as a solo artist, as well as with The Showdowns.

In his early days, Chris James was a budding songwriter writing and performing acoustic songs at campfire outings, parties, and coffee houses in and around the Portland Maine area. Gaining confidence as a performer, he realized that he would have to look to larger cities to become more widely recognized and ventured to San Francisco with not much more than a guitar in tow. Shortly after arriving and weathering the culture shock he formed the rock band Small Change Romeos. After just a few years, the band had built a fairly large Bay Area following and were known for their diverse sound and eclectic but heartfelt songwriting, often ranging from alt rock to heavy country to reggae and blues. They continue to make music and release records...


Chris continues to perform and record regularly and has of late set himself in a producer and engineer role, working with other bands, as well as his own projects in the studio in order to get the 'magic on tape'.

--"James' style of writing is hard to deny as it rings of times and life situations we can all relate to. It's nice to see an artist and band like the Showdowns hold true to Americana roots while still giving you a rock and roll kick in the ass!" -Starita (President of the San Francisco Recording Academy Chapter)

--"James is as captivating a performer as I have seen in some time. His songs are well crafted, his energy on stage is contagious, and the truth in his lyrics is undeniable.” -Ralph Graceffa (Singer Songwriter)

--"Chris is a singer-songwriter with an honest approach and style that really speaks to everyday people..." - J. Bowman (Lead Guitarist for Michael Franti & Spearhead)

Dancing Flames

Chris James & The Showdowns

Related tracks