When he steps on stage, don't let the torn jeans and consistent rotation between bandana and stocking cap fool you. The music that pours from the hands and voice of 22-year-old Nathan James is sharp and, often times, beautiful. Switching off from keyboard to acoustic guitar, with a hint of harmonica, James' shows consist of solo performances with a majority of original compositions, mixing in covers of Ryan Adams, Ben Folds, Snow Patrol, and Damien Rice tunes among others. His original songs have been written over a span of the past five years -- a time period in which James moved back and forth between Iowa City and San Diego, observing the pains and joys of a young life. Recently, James is writing more than ever, constantly recording words and melodies from his mind, then turning them into full-length songs in his recording studio, which also acts as his one-room studio apartment in Iowa City. "I think Willie Nelson said, 'You can't go wrong if you always tell the truth.' I try to do that when I write," James said. "I try to write songs with tons of ambiguity and other songs that are completely straight forward. But they're always honest and almost always stemming from a personal event." Born in southeast Iowa, and currently based out of the state's cultural hub, Iowa City, James is doing everything in his power to make certain his music develops into a lifestyle rather than just a passion. James graduated from the University of Iowa last May with a degree in finance, which he hopes to never use. The degree hangs from his wall in his apartment, partly as a symbol of pride, but mostly as a reminder that he'd rather be sitting down at his keyboard than a desk. James began his music career as a classically trained opera singer. In the summer of 2002, James toured for a month through seven countries in Europe with the University of Nebraska Choir .. a school he chose not to attend despite a music scholarship offer. James has since developed into a folk/rock artist, although his powerful operatic voice still shines through in many of his songs. James continues to write and play as many shows as possible around the Midwest. Look for his breakthrough E.P. to be released in stores and online, early 2007.