James Pants

Affiliated with Stones Throw Records, James Pants functions as a one-man band whose dance-funk sound carries a humorous edge shaped by early-'80s R&B/soul, old-school hip-hop, and any thrift-store instruments he encounters in Spokane, Washington, his quiet hometown. Born James Singleton, he handles multiple instruments such as drums, keyboards, and guitar, produces skilled beats, delivers capable soul vocals, and readily incorporates self-deprecating humor into his work. He first met Stones Throw head Peanut Butter Wolf after a DJ set by offering to take him record shopping the next day; the invitation was accepted, and the pair remained in contact for years. Peanut Butter Wolf grew steadily impressed by Pants' mixtapes and productions, leading to the 2006 appearance of "Do a Couple of Things" on the Peanut Butter Wolf Presents Chrome Children compilation and the start of his Stones Throw releases. In 2007 he issued the Kash 12" EP, and that same year "Murder" was included on Chrome Children, Vol. 2. Following the additional 12" We're Through, 2008 brought his debut full-length album Welcome. He supported the record by DJing on tour first with Peanut Butter Wolf and then with Jamie Lidell. Later projects turned more experimental: the 2009 release Seven Seals was conceived as a concept album voiced from a cult leader's perspective, while 2011's James Pants combined space-age production with raw instrumentation.