A self-described “voodoo child,” Lemon James plays a range of Jimi Hendrix covers as well as her own Hendrix-influenced material.

James’ self-penned “I Am A Voodoo Child” is a summation of her sound; with nods to the dissonant-yet-bluesy sounds of Hendrix, as well as Pink Floyd’s dreamy, trippy soundscapes.

But despite all the psychedelic connotations, James’ music has nothing to do with drugs.

“This is the first band I’ve been in where everybody’s clean, and that’s what I like about it. That’s why I go to practice, I feel like ‘yeah, this can go somewhere’, it doesn’t feel like a dead end,” said Bassist James Lucas.

Lemon James will play 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Rubbles Bar, 112 W. Michigan St.

Lemon writes her lyrics about painting pictures, paisley flowers and purple penguins, Lucas explained.

James, of Garden City, has been playing her style of acid-tinged rock and blues for over 14 years. She is a consummate musician, going as far as to build her own custom guitar from scratch after deeming manufactured guitars to be unsuitable.

Drummer Rudy Mild testified to James’ musical prowess when he explained how he came to join the band.

“A drummer friend of mine called me and said he auditioned for this Hendrix chick and told me she was tough on him, and thought I was what she was looking for,” Mild said. “She was tough on me, too, but somehow I hung on.”

James and her band complete their show with ’60s-influenced dress and an energetic live performance.

While “Lemon James” might not sound peculiar when compared to the names of other psychedelic rock bands, one has to wonder where the name came from.

“I was desiring a name that had a blues identity, and was easy to spell and remember,” James said.

But Mild said he heard the story differently.

“It’s legend that Lemon James was given the name by the spirit of early bluesmen known and unknown. Her hands and mind were given this new identity in exchange for a part of her soul, that’s the word ’round my part of the woods!” he said.

While the perks of playing in a rock band are many, James shared a few specific things that she loves about playing music.

“My favorite thing about playing in a band is sharing a special intimate musical soundscape experience with others,” she said. “You’ve got to be the music, and share the energy with all. It is a magic of sorts, and it is meant to be shared with an audience.”

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