Internet helps indie musician advance his fulfilling career
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

James Hurley

Singer/songwriter James Hurley, 50, never gave up on his dream of making a living doing what he loves. He's persisted when others would have given up, and the challenges he's faced have helped him compose songs that resonate with his audience.

"I guess if I'm unique it's because I just never quit," said Hurley, who began playing the guitar when he was 8 years old.

The Moorpark resident, who's toured internationally, will perform at West Coast Pizza on Tierra Rejada Road from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. tonight, July 27.

"James is one of the best acoustic guitar players around and has a beautiful deep golden voice," said Simi Valley resident and veteran sound engineer Chas Ferry.

"What initially attracted me to James was his song 'The Vampires Live in Southern California,' which I heard during a set at the Santa Susana Cantina," Ferry said. "It was a very original humorous song about how all the vampires had moved from Transylvania to Los Angeles"

But Hurley is not just a novelty artist. He has much more to offer, said Ferry, who's recording Hurley's new CD at his Simi Valley studio.

The songs he writes describe the lifetime he's lived. People seem to relate to his music, Hurley said, because there are moments in everyone's life that are happy, sad, goofy, introspective or irreverent.

"That's why my music is so eclectic and crosses so many genres."

An independent musician since the age of 18, Hurley must wear many hats to make the business of music work. In addition to writing and performing, he arranges, produces, and acts as his own booking agent, publicist and promoter. He must also drive himself to the concerts, he joked.

"My goal is not to sell millions of albums, but to earn a living and achieve a comfortable middleclass lifestyle," he said.

The Internet has been an asset for autonomous artists. They can locate venues and book gigs directly online, said Hurley, who played in cover bands to make ends meet before he managed to go solo.

Now he makes his way through the independent music industry using the Internet as a springboard. Hurley also uses myspace.com to promote himself, but in the end, "it really has to do with going out and getting it," he said.

The growing popularity of house concerts provides another outlet for musicians like Hurley. Such concerts are a grassroots phenomenon where both worldclass musicians and developing local talent perform in the intimate setting of private homes and similar nontraditional spaces in exchange for donations.

Hurley's songs reflect influences across the musical spectrum, from jazz and blues to rock and pop, and have been described as "Sting meets The Beatles- Clapton makes the introductions."

Songs from his most recent release, "The Sun and the Moon," have been featured on NPR's "Open Mic" and in films, have been honored at the DIY Convention in Hollywood, and have won listener's polls at KCSN radio in Northridge.

Hurley's concert in Moorpark is free to the public. He will also perform in Camarillo on Sun., Aug. 12. For more information and a current tour schedule, visit www. jameshurleymusic.com.