Biography
Often compared to the White Stripes for their minimalist approach and the vocal resemblance between Daniel James and Jack White, Leopold and His Fiction specialize in the style they label “vintage rock.” The music merges blues, folk-rock, garage rock, and roots influences into a sound that feels simultaneously raw and unified, carrying warmth and emotional directness that aligns with its overall drive. Born and raised in Detroit, vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Daniel James absorbed the city’s deep traditions of soul, funk, and gritty outlaw rock while growing up, yet he made no sustained attempt to assemble a band until he relocated to the West Coast.
After a short stay in Los Angeles, James settled in San Francisco and enrolled in writing courses at San Francisco State University; the change in setting and the discipline of study prompted him to begin writing songs. A stint at Universal Records convinced him he could match the quality of many acts on the label, so he recorded a demo of his new material. An online classified ad connected him with drummer Ben Cook, who bonded with James over their mutual admiration for Led Zeppelin. Unable to locate a compatible bassist, the two launched Leopold and His Fiction as a duo in early 2005 and released the self-titled debut album that autumn. Both the record and their live performances quickly established the pair as a notable act on the Bay Area scene.
Cook left amicably in 2008. Rather than seek a direct replacement, James treated the departure as an opening to expand the group, adding bassist and singer Micayla Grace and multi-instrumentalist Jon Sortland, who contributes drums, keyboards, and backing vocals; the two had already been working together. This revised lineup recorded the second album, Ain’t No Surprise, issued in January 2009. James then took a break from the band to co-found the folk-influenced trio Cowboy and Indian with vocalist Jazz Mills and singer/guitarist Jesse Plemons. He returned to Leopold and His Fiction for the 2012 release 3. Around the same period he moved to Texas, where his daughter was born. In 2017 the band issued its fourth full-length, Darling Destroyer, produced by James and Chris “Frenchie” Smith (Jet, ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Ringo Deathstarr). The single “Waves (Golden)” appeared on that album.
After a short stay in Los Angeles, James settled in San Francisco and enrolled in writing courses at San Francisco State University; the change in setting and the discipline of study prompted him to begin writing songs. A stint at Universal Records convinced him he could match the quality of many acts on the label, so he recorded a demo of his new material. An online classified ad connected him with drummer Ben Cook, who bonded with James over their mutual admiration for Led Zeppelin. Unable to locate a compatible bassist, the two launched Leopold and His Fiction as a duo in early 2005 and released the self-titled debut album that autumn. Both the record and their live performances quickly established the pair as a notable act on the Bay Area scene.
Cook left amicably in 2008. Rather than seek a direct replacement, James treated the departure as an opening to expand the group, adding bassist and singer Micayla Grace and multi-instrumentalist Jon Sortland, who contributes drums, keyboards, and backing vocals; the two had already been working together. This revised lineup recorded the second album, Ain’t No Surprise, issued in January 2009. James then took a break from the band to co-found the folk-influenced trio Cowboy and Indian with vocalist Jazz Mills and singer/guitarist Jesse Plemons. He returned to Leopold and His Fiction for the 2012 release 3. Around the same period he moved to Texas, where his daughter was born. In 2017 the band issued its fourth full-length, Darling Destroyer, produced by James and Chris “Frenchie” Smith (Jet, ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Ringo Deathstarr). The single “Waves (Golden)” appeared on that album.
Albums
Singles
