Multi-Platinum, JUNO-Award-winning bassist, Darryl James, from Canadian Indie-Rock band The Strumbellas, has unveiled his second solo EP, Colours, under the moniker Close Kicks.
Colours marks the first time he was dedicated to exploring the craft of writing, producing, and mixing his music independently from the ground up. James adds the final touches to his music by inviting local artists to record the instrumentation, adding a unique take on an otherwise completely solo project. With wide-ranging musical depth that oscillates between Alternative-Folk and Indie-Rock, Close Kicks sound encompasses the vintage feel of analog recordings with a modern edge, behind lyrics that cleverly traverse socially focused themes of mental health, community activism, and vulnerability.
On this release, James dives deeper into his creativity than ever before, delivering a project that once again unites all areas of his artistry. Written, performed, recorded, and mixed by James, the artist collaborated with local musicians from his hometown on each of the five tracks, providing them with the framework of how he wanted each song to sound and inviting them to add their own flare to each part. From creating the EP and single covers from photos he took himself to filming video content on his own, Colours marks a new chapter for James, where he began to trust his solo artistic instincts more than ever before. Starting the project in 2022 while also embarking on a journey of sobriety, James paused the recording process to begin to care for his mother who had recently been diagnosed with cancer. Calling her his biggest supporter who always encouraged him to pursue music, James continued to work on the project throughout her illness and was able to share the songs she encouraged him to complete with her before her recent and untimely passing.