James Clayton (aka Clay Pigeon) is a terrific songwriter, living in Montreal these days. He’s originally from Peterborough, Ontario, he went to a jazz school out in Nelson BC, and he cut his teeth at open mic nights in Berlin.

Early in the Pandemic, he and his now wife Tosca, decided they wanted to come back to Canada. James had seen a documentary on the Montreal music scene and thought, uh, yeah, that seems like the place to be, let’s go to Montreal.

So they did.

It didn’t take long for James to fall in with the right crowd. He was approached by legendary Montreal engineer and record producer Howard Billerman of the renowned Hotel 2 Tango studio - previous recording home to the likes of Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, Sam Roberts Band and, oh, so many more - with an offer to collaborate. James wasn't ready. He said not now, Howard, but hopefully soon. Man, not an easy thing to say.

Thankfully, the two did up working together at Hotel and the results are splendid. This past July, James released his debut album as Clay Pigeon, the achingly beautiful, The Aching Taste of Blue.

I'd say the wait was worth it.

Clay Pigeon

@james_clayton

Wanna get in touch?

whenwewakeradio@gmail.com

25. When We Wake with James Clayton, aka Clay Pigeon

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