James Clay

Until 2004, recordings credited to James Clay primarily featured the work of a jazz saxophonist. That association shifted when a self-titled collection appeared on the Inpop label, issued by a 22-year-old who had once belonged to a group described as a "controlling religious cult." In conversation, Clay offers distinctive reflections on spirituality, noting how religious doctrines had been deployed against him during childhood. Even so, he later sought guidance from those same doctrines during a calmer phase of his adulthood. After departing the cult, he took on assorted manual jobs; at age 13 he assembled pool cues in a factory, then moved to milking cows at a local dairy farm. Songwriting began a few years afterward. One track that eventually reached release, "Franklin Park," originated when he was 15. He performed with a blues ensemble, spent time in a turkey-processing plant and as a chimney sweep, became involved with a church group, and, at a decisive juncture, performed for Mylon LeFevre, among the earliest recognized figures in Christian rock. LeFevre's emphatic encouragement supplied the impetus for Clay to pursue recording in earnest.