My GraveYard Jaw

Michael James (also known as Stix) started my Graveyard Jaw in 2003. After years of living deep in the Oregon forest protecting old-growth trees, then touring with The Know Nothing Circus Side Show, Michael James settled in New Orleans in 2003 to develop his intricate roots sound, with its haunting Americana undertone. His songs confront his past, his travels, loss of friends, and heart aches. As Offbeat Magazine music critic Alex Rawls wrote in his review of the current album Coming Winds, “...the strength of the album comes from the songs themselves.” Seamlessly tied to the integrity of the songs, of course, is the music itself—a rhythmically thrilling, pleasingly intricate sound—at once mournful and playful, evocative and infectious. One can hear epic string sound with James' raw, rhythmic song-writing ability, an inimitable combination that fans of My Graveyard Jaw have come to expect. My Graveyard Jaw has played with such bands as The Devil Makes Three, O' Death, Hurrayfor the Riff Raff, Shovels and Rope, The Lumineers, Brown Bird, Slim Cessnas Auto Club, and Wovenhand. Their line up consists of Michael James on guitar, banjo, kick drum, tambourine, and vocals, Denise Bonis on violin (member of the Zydepunks), Alleyn Evans on cello, and Andy Overslaugh on upright bas. Guest appearance on past albums include: Walt McClements of “Dark Dark Dark” and Alynda Lee of “Hurray for the Riff Raff.” Haunting folk / singer song writer