James Yorkston is a Scottish folk musician.

Born in Kirkcaldy and brought up in Kingsbarns, Fife in 1971, Yorkston now lives in Edinburgh. He started out as bassist for punk band Huckleberry who recorded a number of independently released records. In 1996 he played his first acoustic concert as support for Bert Jansch following a recommendation by a friend. In 2000 he recorded a demo tape under the name J. Wright Presents which was played by John Peel and led to him securing a support slot with John Martyn. The same year he released his debut single Moving up County on the independent label Bad Jazz.

Subsequently he signed to Domino Records, recording music with a number of friends and associates credited as The Athletes on his records. None of them, however, are actually athletes; indeed, the accordion player - the renowned Scottish musician Reuben Taylor - has been seen smoking a pipe. James Yorkston is an associate of the group of musicians working as the Fence Collective, having worked with members of the group both live and on record.

Yorkston is primarily a singer-songwriter, though the label irks him. "I despise the term," he once said. "It puts one in mind of Jack Vettriano." He also tackles a variety of traditional songs, learned from singers such as Anne Briggs, Dick Gaughan, Nic Jones, Martin Carthy, Lal Waterson, John Strachan & Adrian Crowley.

His two quoted main influences are Anne Briggs, and the Malagasy ex French international player D'Gary.

Yorkston is a vegan and reportedly turned down an offer of £10,000 to use his music in advert for Kerrygold butter.

Discography