James Eugene Russell

For most of his twenties, Minnesota musician James Eugene Russell spent his days zigzagging the country in various vans playing in hard working punk bands like Cadillac Blindside, The Book of Dead Names, and The Cardinal Sin. He then began exploring new sounds with his country rock outfit, Prairie Sons. After Prairie Sons disbanded, James spent over a decade absent from the music scene dealing with alcoholism, becoming a father, and finally finding sobriety.

His first release as a solo artist, ‘As/Is’ showcases a collection of four songs that suggest James has a much clearer head and a lot to get off his chest. They are four of the many songs that James picked and penned out while on the couch during the past ten years, and having no idea on how they would ever come to fruition. This past decade’s struggles have shaped James into the introspective and mature singer/songwriter that he is today, making songs that shine stripped down solo, as well as with a band. Drawing from the venerable classic country music genre as well as his own punk rock narrative, James Eugene Russell melds all of his life experience into a sound that he describes as “country midwestern”. ‘As/Is’ is a truthful, gut-wrenching journey through his last decade of change, so buckle up and listen.

Also accompanying James on ‘As/Is’ is an impressive mix of musicians. Old friends, some of Minnesota’s finest, and indie/Americana/bluegrass veterans, including:

Blair Krivanek (The Dollys/Sonny Night and the Lakers) - lead guitar
Trenton Raygor (Cadillac Blindside/Monarques/Blood Banks) - bass guitar
Rebecca Hanten (Cadillac Blindside/The Cardinal Sin/The Evening Rig) - drums and piano
Casey James Prestwood (Drag the River/Limbeck) - pedal steel
Ryan Young (Trampled By Turtles) - fiddle
Justin Courtney Pierre (Motion City Soundtrack) - background vocals
Faith Boblett - background vocals

Recorded and mixed by Jeremy Tapperro (Soul Asylum, Gratitude, Jealous Sound).
Background vocals recorded by Tommy Rehbein.
Mastered by Matt Allison (The Alkaline Trio, The Lawrence Arms).
Artwork by Matthew Rezac.
Photos by Walter Portz.
Logo by Zack Kinsey.