James Yorkston

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James Yorkston is a Scottish folk musician.

Born in Kingsbarns, Fife in 1970, Yorkston now lives in Edinburgh. He started out as bassist for punk band Huckleberry who recorded a number of independently released records. In 1996 he played his first accoustic concert as support for Bert Jansch following a recommendation by a friend. In 2000 he recorded a demo tape under the name J. Wright Presents which was played by John Peel and led to him securing a support slot with John Martyn. The same year he released his debut single Moving up County on the independent label Bad Jazz.

Subsequently he signed to Domino Records recording music with a number of friends and associates credited as The Athletes on his records. None of them, however, are actually athletes, indeed the accordion player - the renowned Scottish musician Reuben Taylor, has been seen smoking a pipe. James Yorkston is an associate of the group of musicians working as the Fence Collective, having worked with members of the group both live and on record.

Yorkston is primarily a Singer Songwriter - though he despises the term - "I despise the term" he is quoted as saying, "it puts one in mind of Jack Vettriano". He also tackles a variety of traditional songs, learned from singers such as Anne Briggs, Dick Gaughan, Nic Jones, Martin Carthy, Lal Waterson, John Strachan & Adrian Crowley.

His two quoted main influences are Anne Briggs, and the Malagasy ex French international player D'Gary.

Yorkston is a vegan and turned down £10,000 for the use of one his songs in a television advertisement for butter.