Fake Suede Brings Soul and Groove to a New Generation

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

Some artists make music, while others craft entire experiences. Fake Suede, the brainchild of singer-songwriter Jeffrey James, does the latter—blending nostalgic soul and disco influences with modern indie rock and synth-driven pop to create a sound that feels both timeless and refreshingly new. With the release of his latest single, “Love Don’t Come Easy,” Fake Suede is proving that groove, storytelling, and artistry are alive and well in today’s music scene.

Jeffrey James grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana, a small town just outside of Indianapolis. Music was always a part of his life. “Everyone in my family could sing, harmonize, and play a little bit of an instrument,” he says. Even long car rides turned into impromptu jam sessions, with his family singing three-part harmonies to Beatles songs. His great-uncle, a renowned guitar teacher, quite literally wrote the book on learning to play guitar for the music publishing giant Hal Leonard. “I ended up learning guitar off of his books,” he laughs. “At the time, I didn’t even realize how big of a deal that was.”

Despite his deep musical roots, Jeffrey also had a passion for sports and split his time between the two. But by high school, his creative side took over. He joined a garage band and, during his very first jam session, discovered his natural talent for songwriting. “They played an instrumental track and asked if I could put lyrics to it. By the time they were done, I had written a verse and a chorus. I had never done that before, but it just flowed out of me.” From that moment, he was hooked.

As he pursued a career in music, Jeffrey experimented with different styles before fully realizing his Fake Suede project. “I wanted to create something that put some constraints on myself while honoring the inspirations that have always stuck with me,” he explains. That inspiration came from the golden era of '60s and '70s soul and disco, combined with a modern indie-rock sensibility. “Suede was a big thing in the '70s, and it felt like the perfect way to capture the vibe of that era,” he says. “The ‘fake’ part? Well, that’s a nod to my imposter syndrome,” he jokes. “I know I’m not Al Green or Smokey Robinson, but this is my interpretation of that world.”

His latest single, “Love Don’t Come Easy,” is a prime example of this sound—melding warm, grooving rhythms with soulful vocals and introspective lyrics. The song captures the emotional rollercoaster of modern dating, from swiping through dating apps to the highs and lows of finding real connection. “I initially set out to write a classic love song,” Jeffrey says, “but then I started pulling from the experiences of my single friends. They’re constantly navigating the chaos of dating apps—deleting them, getting back on, feeling excited, then disappointed. It just hit me that this was the story the song wanted to tell.”

Sonically, Jeffrey and producer Kevin Hutchins took a deep dive into the nuances of '70s soul to bring the song to life. “We studied the instruments, the reverbs, and the recording techniques they used back then,” he says. “We wanted it to feel like a throwback but still modern enough to resonate today.” The result is a track that feels both fresh and nostalgic, with infectious melodies and a rhythmic energy that’s impossible to ignore.

A key part of the Fake Suede project is Quint, a heart-shaped character that Jeffrey created during the songwriting process. “Quint became the visual representation of the music,” he explains. “Each song has its own emotion and story, and Quint is there to guide listeners through it all.” The character plays a major role in Fake Suede’s branding, music videos, and social presence, helping to create a fully immersive experience around the music.

Though Jeffrey has been in the industry for nearly a decade—landing placements in TV shows like All-American, Jack Ryan, Criminal Minds, Good Trouble, and Shameless, as well as commercials for Xbox and Ford—Fake Suede marks a new chapter in his artistic journey. “This project feels the most like me,” he says. “It’s the culmination of everything I’ve loved about music since I was a kid.”

Looking ahead to 2025, Fake Suede has plenty in store. “I’m deep into writing right now,” Jeffrey reveals. “I already have a long queue of songs I’m excited to release. ‘Love Don’t Come Easy’ is technically the third single, but it’s the first one we’ve really put a push behind. I wanted to give people something they could connect with, and then they can go back and see that there’s already a foundation for what Fake Suede is all about.”

With a unique blend of retro and modern influences, a strong visual identity, and a growing catalog of infectious songs, Fake Suede is a name that music lovers should keep on their radar. His ability to seamlessly merge soul, indie, and pop into something distinctly his own is a testament to both his artistry and his deep respect for the music that came before him.

For those who haven’t yet discovered Fake Suede, now is the perfect time to tune in.