Cleophus James is rooted in over 15 years of collaboration between brothers Scott & Jamie Messier, and Jack Shea. They learned to play their instruments alongside each other from a young age —— building an organic chemistry while stripping away creative inhibition. In searching for a fuller sound, the trio found a natural and seamless addition in guitarist Colin Coon.

Cleophus James draws on an ecclectic set of influences. The band’s sound is undoubtedly at home within a psychedelic funk groove, but the songs often meander into a western twang, a jazzy sparseness, or a driving post-punk attitude. Cleophus James is a dynamic and powerful live act. Their shows supply taut, dance grooves, while maintaining a looseness to explore new ideas on the fly.