Denise James has been a voice on the Detroit scene for many years. She has provided backing vocals for a number of Motor City based groups, including one lineup of multi-instrumentalist/producer Warn Defever's rock/electronic fusion His Name Is Alive, and the more rock-oriented HNIA off-shoot the Dirt Eaters. Her first self-titled solo album was produced by Matthew Smith of Outrageous Cherry/the Volebeats, and released on Alan McGee's Poptones label in August 2001.