Joseph James and James Cameron form The True Strays, a Bristol, England–based Americana duo who are lifelong friends and songwriting partners. Drawing on their backgrounds—James works as a roofer by day while Cameron teaches primary school—the pair channel their everyday lives into music that fuses roots‑driven Americana with blues‑rock swagger. Their sound is a cathartic celebration of alternative roots, blues rock ’n’ roll, energised by soaring guitar riffs, melodic bass lines, and harmonised vocals that echo the road‑trip ethos of classic 1970s rock melded with modern soul.
Their crowd‑funded debut, Heart of the Matter, and follow‑up live release, Live from White Noise, marked a breakthrough year for the duo in 2023. That year, they toured the UK with their full band, supported Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real, and even joined Joe Bonamassa’s “Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea” Mediterranean cruise alongside the blues maestro himself. They also ventured into Europe, completing a tour across Sweden, while still working their day jobs, showing both grit and passion for their craft.
The True Strays have earned acclaim on home turf from outlets like BBC Bristol, Blues in Britain, Swingamajig, and more. They’ve played over 100 festivals—Glastonbury, Boom Town, Black Deer, Edinburgh Jazz & Blues, Shambala—and gained support on BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 4, and Planet Rock. Their sound draws from Neil Young, Muddy Waters, Fleetwood Mac, Alabama Shakes, Gary Clark Jr, and The Black Keys—merging classic and contemporary influences. Currently self‑producing their next album in their garden‑shed studio “Little Pink,” they’re blending rock Hammond, psychedelic undertones, and soulful grooves into something poised to hit highways and hearts alike.
