What is the pinnacle of fame? One must imagine that each successful artist asks themselves this question at some point in their long careers. Even artists who never play a stadium or even sniff a festival headliner, may be at their pinnacle right now. But it is rare to find an artist who exists without limits in any direction. James Blake is among that breed, incapable of being rounded up and slapped into a cage or category with any true meaning, and his potential is seemingly limitless.
After releasing his latest record Assume Form to some of the largest commercial and critical acclaim of his storied career, Blake went on a tour but has remained fairly quiet. His press cycle was very close to the release of the album, which having released in mid-January, has largely left the public consciousness.
Ever the one to expand on his work, James Blake has chosen not to leave his projects as they are. Just recently he announced four piano solo shows, two in Los Angeles and two in New York. While little is known about what may take place at these shows, we can already begin to assume stripped back arrangements of classic Blake songs set to piano. The thought alone is enough to inspire excitement in any fan, and the limited run of these shows predestines them to be quick sell outs.
There’s no telling where the rise of James Blake may stop. He’s a stringy white guy from the UK making R&B style music inspired by groups like Burial. On paper almost none of this works, and even if it did, it never was something that we thought would become popular; until it did.
Location: Theater at the Ace Hotel
Address: 929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat
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