San Diego Reader

Born and raised in San Diego, singer/songwriter Vanja James has been performing her acoustic and electric blues rock stylings for local audiences since summer 2002.

With a musical history that includes DJing, classical guitar, and gospel choir, James got her start in songwriting during her senior year at UCSD (where she majored in theater) at age 19. It was in a “Singing for Actors” class that she met her vocal instructor Linda Vickerman.

Vickerman took James under her wing, taught her jazz and blues vocal techniques, and introduced her to guitar teacher (and future cowriting partner) David Beldock. James has returned to Beldock many times to work together on the guitar arrangements for her songs, which have now become a trademark part of her bluesy roots sound.

In 2009, James was singing backup with the Gift/Curse and Laserwolf & Thunderbolt.

In late 2011, she began work on a new full-length (which she describes as “very rock oriented”) with guest players Tommy Andrews, Damon De La Paz, Ismael Velasquez, and others. To cover costs, she emailed fans seeking donations. “This is a different project,” she says, “with a name other than my own, and with a different sound.” She calls it Led Zep and Wolfmother meets the White Stripes, but with female vocals. “It’s coming together quietly, but with a lot of support from the people who count. I’m giving my fans an opportunity to quietly show their support via album pre-orders, private show bookings, or sponsoring just because.”