James Houlahan - Misfit Hymns

James Houlahan is a singer, songwriter, and guitar player currently based in Los Angeles, California. A founding member of Boston-area bands such as Dogs on Television and The Jody Grind, Houlahan has come to be known as a songsmith who channels both tradition and poetic innovation. His 2012 release misfit hymns, contains songs that sonically reside somewhere between folk and rock, thriving on the music of the past while keeping one eye (ear?) on the future.Houlahan began to seriously write songs in college as he juggled the possibilities for writing poetry with writing music. Influenced by writers such as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Neil Young, Houlahan tried many different styles and verbal projects. More recently influenced by writers such as Tom Waits and Townes Van Zandt, he has become interested in combining aspects of traditional music with evocative, more personal lyrics. Stumbling into Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music has also opened numerous doors into What's Next.In 2009, Houlahan released the debut solo record Seven Years Now. The follow-up is misfit hymns, a place where folk meets rock, tradition meets noise, and stories both come together and fall apart.In performance, Houlahan's shows can veer from quieter, intimate solo gigs to louder, band-rocking, exercises in face-melting bliss. He has performed shows all over California and the New England area and is intent on bringing his music to the largest audience possible.