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James' musical background is unusual for a classical composer - he is self-taught and largely recognised through his work with the iconic Australian band GANGgajang that has achieved both national and international success. Since 1985 to present day he has been the band's lead guitarist and the writer of many of their songs. He produced their latest album Oceans and Deserts. GANGgajang's song, Sounds of Then (This is Australia), has become part of Australian music folklore and is often referred to as Australia's alternative national anthem. James also toured the world for five years with Yothu Yindi, the band that put First Nations culture on the world stage. He was also a principal songwriter for Wendy Matthews' first three albums, two of which reached platinum sales. Since 2012, James has been a member of Scattered People, a group of musicians who rose out of the Brisbane Asylum Seeker Centre in 1998. He produced, recorded and co-wrote their latest album Sugarmill Road which is the subject of the documentary film, Scattered People, currently streaming on Paramount+.

James' solo albums include the orchestral song-cycle Suzannah Suite (2000), the pop album Secrets In The Sand (2019), the jazz guitar & voice album 24 Hours A Night (2022), the classical album String Quintet No. 4 The Marree Sisters released through ABC Classic in 2022 and the classical album String Quintet No. 3 Dreaming in the Sand released through Move Records in 2024.

James' commissions and concerts include the soundtracks for the 2001 and 2002 Perth Australia Day Skyshows, an orchestral arrangement of GANGgajang's Sounds Of Then (This Is Australia) for the 2004 Premier's Luncheon performed by the SYO, a string quartet arrangement of Sounds Of Then performed at the London Paralympics in 2012, and String Quintet No. 1 Dreaming In the Sand performed by Bentley String Quintet at the 2021 Restrung Festival in Brisbane.

It was the release of his String Quintet No.4 The Marree Sisters through ABC Classic in 2022 that brought his classical music to a wider audience, confirming his place amongst notable Australian composers.

Review excerpts of James' two classical albums:

"... joyous and uplifting, it shows a level of technical accomplishment far in excess of what you would expect from a rock musician [GANGgajang] ... Dreaming in the Sand bears a passing resemblance to Dvorak, with its folk-like character and finely constructed textures." - Graham Strahle - The Australian

"The music stands with dignity in the face of despair. It tells a version of our national founding narrative honestly and with musical integrity." - Philip Pogson - The Music Trust/Loud Mouth

"The Marree Sisters speaks directly to the listener. It is sincere, credible and well-crafted music... at times connotes Aaron Copland." - Philip Pogson - The Music Trust/Loud Mouth

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Robbie James — current to March 2025