It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Mr. Linck

Five years ago Christie and I launched hipindetroit.com and began documenting all the amazing people, places, and things around Detroit. We have had the honor of watching thousands of musicians perform over the years, but no musician has meant more to me than James Linck. The first time I saw him perform it was an accident, from that point on it was my mission. I have been at every album release party and I have had the honor of interviewing James on camera, on the radio, and in print. I have over listened to all three of his EPs over the last four years and I have shared his songs with anyone who will listen. I have made an ass out of myself and danced up front at every show that I was able to and I have had the honor of hearing sneak peaks of a lot of his tunes before they were released. I have been asked time and time again who my favorite artist in Detroit is and my answer has always been James Linck. But, it wasn't until he released his last EP No Future that I figured out why Mr Linck's music means so much to me.

It all clicked the first time I heard the song "The Artist".  During my first listen I laughed and cried, for some reason the catchy track really moved me. There is something very powerful about defining yourself as an artist. It gives you the power to claim your talent, mold it and explore if given the chance to find out where it might take you.

I have been on an adventure with James since he released his first solo EP Fortress of Solitude, followed up by his sophomore EP Small World and his most recent release No Future. He has inspired me to keep molding my craft and creating new things because, at the end of the day, I'm an artist and that's what I do.

I have always had a hard time describing his sound to others and I truly believe that until your hear him hit a high note in person, you cannot completely appreciate how talented he is. Which is why it is going to be so hard to say farewell when he preforms at El Club this Friday, January 13th. It's been an honor to watch an artist as talented as James master their craft and it's going to be sad to continue that journey long distance. But, given the chance, I am even more excited to see how far my favorite artist can take it.

If you want to take a walk down memory lane before the show check out some of the interviews and videos we have done with James throughout the years. If you want to hear "The Artist" and the rest of James body of work visit his soundcloud here and if you want to experience what I consider to be one of the best talent's Detroit has to offer before he heads out to the West Coast,  join me stage front at the show this Friday to dance it out one last time. He will be performing alongside Jaws That Bite, Cousin Mouth,  Doc Illingsworth, and Eddie Logix. We can only hope that means that they might unearth one of my favorite collaboration tracks called "Lights on Ryder" at some point throughout the night. Tickets to get into the show are $8 at the door and doors are at 8 p.m. See you at the show!

~S