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Discover Fake Suede: The Evolution of Jeffrey James

  • Writer: Dylanna Fisher
    Dylanna Fisher
  • Feb 15
  • 3 min read

Jeffrey James is an artist in constant motion, redefining his sound with every step of his career. He has built a reputation for musical versatility. His emotional depth ranges from heartfelt ballads featured on national television to genre-blending collaborations.

Now, with his latest project, Fake Suede, James embarks on an exciting new artistic journey that fuses the rich grooves of the past with the contemporary vibrance of indie rock, synth, and soul. Through this new endeavour, he invites listeners into a world where nostalgia and innovation coexist.

Jeffrey James first gained widespread recognition when his moving ballad, “We Can Be Heroes,” was featured on NBC’s Songland, showcasing his emotional depth and songwriting prowess. His music has amassed millions of streams and featured in high-profile TV shows such as All-American, Jack Ryan, Criminal Minds, Good Trouble, and Shameless. His work has also appeared in commercials for brands like Xbox and Ford, further cementing his influence in the industry.

Jeffrey James: The Art of Reinvention Through Fake Suede

Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Jeffrey James is no stranger to transformation. With a career spanning multiple genres and collaborations, James has established himself by crafting evocative, genre-blending music that resonates with listeners worldwide. Now, he takes a bold leap with Fake Suede—a project that seamlessly fuses ’70s disco and soul with modern indie rock, synth, and pop elements.

In an interview with Switching Styles, he explains, “The idea for FAKE SUEDE has been living in my head for a while now. The musical inspirations for it are what I grew up listening to. Finally, I had a session with producers William Leong and Jackson Wise in mid-last year. That song became “Celebrate (Night with Me). That was the first time I thought, yes, that’s it! That’s the sound of FAKE SUEDE. It was a perfect jumping-off point.

Introducing Fake Suede

Fake Suede represents a new creative frontier for James—one where he grants himself the freedom to explore musical ideas without the constraints of past expectations.

He explains, “Being able to step into a brand new artistic persona has been my favourite part of this project. It gives me the chance to use a very specific part of my personality while creating a new musical and visual world, starting from the ground floor. “

The Fake Suede sound is a rich tapestry of influences, drawing from the nostalgic grooves of the ’70s while incorporating contemporary indie and electronic elements. With this project, James successfully merges the warmth and soulfulness of artists like Bill Withers and Smokey Robinson with the modern production aesthetics of Tame Impala and Jungle.

The Future of Fake Suede

The latest Fake Suede release, Love Don’t Come Easy,” is a testament to James’ ability to craft music that is both deeply personal and widely relatable.

“Love Don’t Come Easy” is much more personal and intimate than my first two singles, which have more up-tempo-feel-good vibes. I pulled less from my disco and indie influences and more from acts like Smokey Robinson and Bill Withers for this song. I think it helps FAKE SUEDE feel like a more well-rounded project.” He explains.

Unlike the upbeat, feel-good energy of his first two singles—Celebrate (Night with Me)” and Don’t Mind If I Do—this track takes a more introspective turn, exploring the complexities of love and relationships.

“Everyone goes through the same struggles and ups and downs of dating. That doesn’t make it easier, but I find it cathartic and a bit lighter to deal with, knowing that we’re not alone in our journey to find a soul mate,” he says.

While Love Don’t Come Easy is just the beginning, James has no shortage of material waiting in the wings for Fake Suede. “I have a LONG list of songs in the queue—it’s just a matter of timing as to when I release each one,” he shares. The future of Fake Suede promises continued exploration of sound and storytelling as James follows his creative instincts wherever they may lead.

Fake Suede is a project worth following for fans of timeless melodies, introspective lyrics, and immersive musical storytelling. With its retro-modern fusion and the enigmatic presence of Quint leading the way, Jeffrey James continues to push the boundaries of contemporary music—demonstrating once again that reinvention is an art form in itself.

Conclusion

As Jeffrey James continues to evolve through Fake Suede, his ability to craft immersive sonic experiences remains unwavering. With Quint as a whimsical yet poignant companion on this journey, James has created more than just a musical project—he has built an artistic universe that blends sound, storytelling, and emotion. With more releases on the horizon, Fake Suede will push creative boundaries. This shows that reinvention is not just a phase but a philosophy. Whether through infectious melodies or introspective lyrics, James ensures that his music resonates deeply, leaving listeners eager for what comes next.

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Switching Styles is based in central Alberta, on the enduring homelands of many Indigenous Peoples, including the Beaver, Big Stone Cree, Cree, Dënéndeh, Ĩyãħé Nakón mąkóce (Stoney), Kelly Lake Métis Settlement Society, Ktunaxa ɁamakɁis, Lheidli T’enneh, Michif Piyii (Métis), Mountain Métis, Niitsítpiis-stahkoii (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Tsuut’ina, ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ ᐊᐢᑭᕀ Nêhiyaw-Askiy (Plains Cree), Woodland Cree, and many others. As a Canadian music platform, we recognize that the arts exist within broader systems shaped by colonial history. Colonial policies and practices deliberately sought to suppress Indigenous cultures, traditions, and songs. We acknowledge this history and its ongoing impacts of colonialism. We are grateful for the opportunity to share music and culture on these lands, and we commit to ongoing learning, accountability, respect, and meaningful action.
 

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