James Maddock to perform at Hamilton Stage, Rahway, NJ on Friday, March 27th

James Maddock’s status as a fixture on the folk and Americana scene is confirmed with every listen of every song on his latest album Another Life, released in 2013 on Jullian Records. An April 2014 review in Relix Magazine puts it this way: “James Maddock possesses the kind of lived-in craggy voice that would sound authoritative if he were singing the sports pages. Fortunately, he doesn’t need to do that because his compositional skills are a match for his delivery.”

Nodding to ‘70s rock with shimmering acoustic guitars, an understated rhythm section and flourishes of fiddle, mandolin, piano and dobro, Another Life bridges the mainstream appeal of songwriters like Jesse Harris and Norah Jones and the quirkier sensibility of Loudon Wainwright. With funding entirely from fan contributions through PledgeMusic, Maddock worked with producer Matt Pierson, multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell (who’s played with Bob Dylan and Levon Helm) and bassist Tony Scherr (who plays with Norah Jones).

The 13 songs on Another Life paint a portrait of a man reaching the midpoint of his life, a natural progression from themes in Maddock’s earlier releases. He’s looking back on roads taken and not taken, and isn’t always sure he’s chosen the right one. On the title track, Maddock wants an extra 50 years to try “acting, white-water rafting,” “some illegal substances,” even having a kid or three. “I’ve Been There Too,” built around an indelible guitar riff, showing Maddock’s knack for instrumental hooks as well as lyrical ones. “Don’t Go Lonely,” in a well-timed moment of levity, hints at reggae with dub bass, bubbling organ and the chorus’s entreaty to “go get high, go get found, go crazy on this town / don’t go lonely.”

After fronting the Columbia Records band Wood, whose debut Songs From Stamford Hill was featured prominently on TV shows such as “Dawson’s Creek,” Maddock moved from England to New York City in 2003. His 2009 album Sunrise On Avenue C won a New York Music Award for Best Americana Album, while follow-up Wake Up And Dream ranked among the top albums of 2011 in WFUV’s (NYC) Listener Poll. He has performed with Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nile, Aaron Comess (Spin Doctors) and David Immergluck (Counting Crows). According to radio legend Vin Scelsa, Maddock’s “heartbreakingly beautiful and exquisitely crafted” music “touches the soul.” As a songwriter, James currently has a song (“Actress”) on Gary Barlow’s new album (2X Platinum), co-written with Barlow, and a cut (“Fragile”) on the Dirt On My Tongue album by emerging UK artist Jo Harman. Songs from Another Life have been featured on NBC’s Parenthood and ABC Family’s Switched at Birth. Maddock is a constant live presence in the U.S. and Europe and recently returned from the Caloundra Music Festival in Australia. His upcoming record The Green has an expected release in early 2015. For up to date news, log on to www.jamesmaddock.net.

Tickets available on-line at http://www.ucpac.org/html/event.cfm?id=484 and at the box office.