New album Ordinary Eye will be released November 20, 2020!

Produced by longtime collaborator Fernando Perdomo, the album was recorded at L.A.'s Reseda Ranch Studios during the weeks leading up to America's Covid-19 quarantine. This context adds new gravity to Houlahan's music, while the A-list studio band—including drummer Danny Frankel (Lou Reed, Fiona Apple, Nels Cline), violinist Scarlet Rivera (Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue) and vocalist Esther Clark—punctuated songs like the Neil Young-inspired "As…

In November, I'll be opening for Hopi BluesBand on their tour of California. This will be my first tour where I'm backed by a full band, so I'm very excited about that! Let's rock.

(Photo: At the Daniel Johnston mural in Austin, TX on September 29, 2019.)

This past September 11th, Daniel Johnston passed away at the age of 58 at his home in Waller, Texas. He spent a lifetime creating music and art that was entirely his own. In a world clamoring for authenticity, Daniel's work is a glimmering beacon of refuge and beautiful release. He's had a powerful influence on me as a songwriter, and I'd like to try and explain why.

As shown in the 2006 documentary film, The Devil and Daniel…

I'm embarking on my first cross-country tour this month. Lots of new cities I've never played before. Albuquerque! Boulder! Chicago! And a few places I've not played in years, like New York. All of the show details can be found here.

The journey ends with a hometown show in Somerville, MA on August 1. The great Dan Blakeslee will be sharing the stage with me that night. It will take place at The Center for Arts at the Armory, in the cafe space. This is where I had my last show in Boston before moving to…

James will be playing a run of shows in California this June. See the Live Shows page for all the venue information.

I'm hitting the road out West, in April. Full show details here. I hope to see you out there!

James will be on tour in Germany for a few dates in September and most of October. See below for dates and venues. More information on each show is available on the Live Show Calendar page.

The new album "The Wheel Still In Spin," will be released on 9/21/18. It will be available for sale at CDBaby, Amazon, etc. and for streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, etc.

If you are in the L.A. area, join us for the Album Release Show at Hotel Cafe on Saturday, 9/22.

Little Pink House will be in theaters starting next month! The movie features songs by myself and the great David Crosby. Don’t miss this amazing and important film! Starring Catherine Keener and Jeanne Tripplehorn, directed by Courtney Balaker. A must see!

"If I can just get off of this L.A. freeway 
Without getting killed or caught 
I'd be down that road in a cloud of smoke..."

I'm headed out of town for a few shows this month. My first time playing in these cities! Hope to see you out there.

When I return, work resumes on the new album. I'm hoping for a release sometime in late 2018. Stay tuned!