Son of James – 2019 VFMF

Shon Wong grew up in Vancouver in a family of Chinese opera actors and performers. Wong listened to classical Chinese music in their family apartment, as neighbours blasted Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Guns N’ Roses, and Van Halen. As he grew older, posters of Hendrix and Bruce Lee hung on his walls, depicting the split influences and inspiration all around him.

In 2013, Son of James were born, and original songs were crafted. Wong explains: “Each song is painted with a rustic grace found on the train tracks of the Wild West, while carrying cargos of silk from the Orient.” Combining traditional rock sounds with traditional sounds and instruments produces modern and compelling music reflecting today’s Vancouver. Since their inception, Son of James have performed all over Vancouver, San Francisco, Nashville, Memphis, and Europe. Most notably, Son of James performed their hybrid Chinese Rock Opera (in collaboration with Vancouver Cantonese Opera) to a sellout crowd at CBC Studio 700.

“Son of James assert themselves as one of the most diverse and eclectic group of artists to grace the Canadian Independent Music Scene.” – Gerrod Harris, Canadianbeats.ca