James Raftery is a multifaceted creative force, born on May 9, 1966, in Hartford, Connecticut. At the tender age of 18, he embarked on a journey to hone his craft by attending the prestigious New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where he studied acting at the Stella Adler Institute and the Michael Chekhov Studio under the guidance of the esteemed Beatrice Straight.
Raftery's early foray into the world of film came in 1991 with the low-budget independent feature Night Owl, where he shared the screen with notable actors John Leguizamo, Holly Woodlawn, and Caroline Munro. The film, set in the vibrant East Village of New York City, told the tale of a vampire navigating the city's underground scene.
Following his stint in Los Angeles, where he worked alongside esteemed actors Molly Shannon and Ed Asner in various theater productions, Raftery secured a supporting role in the 1998 film Barriers, starring alongside Annie Golden. This marked a significant milestone in his career, as he began to transition his focus from acting to music and songwriting.
In 1999, Raftery formed the band Rat Wakes Red, releasing three albums and an EP over the course of several years. Accompanying these releases were several music videos, showcasing his versatility as a musician and songwriter. After a brief hiatus, Raftery returned to the music scene in 2017 with the release of his debut solo album, "Everything," under his own name. This self-produced album spawned two music videos in 2018 and 2019, further solidifying his reputation as a talented and innovative artist.
