Although mainly known for his work in that band, James played a wider role in indie rock during the early 21st century, appearing on albums by several artists (including Bright Eyes, M. Ward, America, and Bobby Bare, Jr.) while also pursuing a solo career as Yim Yames. He made his solo debut with 2009's Tribute To, a short collection of George Harrison covers recorded shortly after the guitarist's death eight years prior. He also joined Monsters of Folk, a supergroup that featured several other indie folk songwriters. In 2011, Yames hooked up with Son Volt's Jay Farrar, Centro-Matic’s Will Johnson, and Varnaline’s Anders Parker to record an album of previously unrecorded Woody Guthrie lyrics. New Multitudes was released in early 2012 by Rounder Records. ~ Andrew Leahey