Born in San Mateo, California (in the San Francisco Bay Area), former rock critic-turned musician James Tipper has always struggled with convention.
During his high school years, his independent spirit got him ejected from.several boarding schools, including a parochial school run by Benedictine monks. “I snuck into the chapel one Sunday, and started playing the theme to The Exorcist on the pipe organ as everyone arrived. Looking back, I still think it’s hilarious.” He finished up high school at the Idyllwild Arts Academy in Southern California, leaving with a handful of academic awards.
Always having a way with words, James decided to pursue journalism rather than take on the family business. “My grandfather invented the metal clip that fastens the ends of salami, sausage and such…they’re called ‘Tipper Ties’. How ‘bout that?” Halfway through his journalism coursework in college, he felt compelled to drop out, as he was getting too many offers to write articles for local papers.
James has been published in the Peninsula Times Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, BAM Magazine, the San Mateo Times and SPIN Magazine. “After hanging out with and interviewing rock stars long enough, you’ll eventually come to the conclusion that you can do it better.” He got on a Greyhound bus with his synthesizer and headed to Hollywood.
James was born with Retinitis Pigmentosa an incurable degenerative eye disease that is slowly robbing him of his sight. He’s recently lost his ability to read. “I hope you’re not writing anything bad about me, because I’ll find out.” You can find themes of the struggle between darkness and light throughout his lyrics, most of which are hard-won accounts of life’s uncertainty and promise. Lush soundscapes and the blending of synthetic and organic instrumentation also point to this duality.
As of late, James is either in the studio or playing around his neighborhood of Sunset Boulevard. He has released albums with his two former bands, Waxlight Son and Brainchild and four solo efforts: “Breath”, “Reborn”, Haunted Mind” and “Cries From The Ragged Lands”.
“I appreciate the support of my fans, my family and my friends. Thank you all for stopping by – all my best,”
