University Chronicle

Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Intermission

Media Credit: Anusuya Shrestha Josh Peterson plays the guitar during a performance with JoAnna James on "Monday Night Live." JoAnna James won the Minnesota Music Awards "Female Vocalist of the Year" in 2005 and 2006.

Media Credit: Anusuya Shrestha JoAnna James belts out a note while performing Monday night. James is a soul, folk and blues artist from St. Paul. James' next performance will be Nov. 23.

Media Credit: Anusuya Shrestha Greg Schutte plays the drums while performing with JoAnna James.

Media Credit: Anusuya Shrestha Josh Peterson plays the guitar during a performance with JoAnna James on "Monday Night Live." JoAnna James won the Minnesota Music Awards "Female Vocalist of the Year" in 2005 and 2006.

"Monday Night Live" (MNL) has once again presented an up-and-coming artist on the verge of national accreditation.

St. Paul artist Joanna James is building a fan base nationally while recording locally and is remaining an independent music writer while doing so. James performed in the KVSC studio Monday for MNL.

As a child, her musical journey began on a violin. She has come a far way, adding the accordion to her musical spectrum. She sang lead vocals and played the acoustic guitar Monday.

James tours nationally, typically performing solo-acoustic shows. But, while she's in Minnesota, she performs with Josh Peterson on guitar, Sean McPherson on bass and Greg Schutte on drums. James played with these musicians during her Monday set. James said she prefers to play with a group instead of playing solo.

"With a group without a doubt (is better)," James said. "These guys are funny, witty, talented and wonderful people, so I lucked out big time."

James just finished her third release, an extended play (EP) titled "Back of My Mind." She is in a Minnesota studio working on a full-length album, which is tentatively to be released in the spring. The group performed two sets of songs from all four albums.

James has shared the stage with many national acts including Slim Dunlap of the Replacements, Ken Stringfellow of REM, Mason Jennings and Cloud Cult to name a few.

Averaging 130 plus shows a year for the past few years, James has played the violin, sung vocals and played acoustic guitar with many artists in and out of the Twin Cities area.

"I've enjoyed many good times with musicians. I play a lot with Chris Koza," James said. "We played with Jessie Green before she got her Foo Fighters gig, which is awesome. She's playing violin for the Foo Fighters now. I've also played with The Pines and lots of good folks from the cities."

James will be opening up a solo set for Koza at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Pioneer Place on Fifth.

She will also be accompanying Koza on violin for his set.

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