THROUGH A FATHER’S EYES: Songwriter and parent Kristopher James. Credit: Photo by Haniah Griffith c/o Gasparilla Music Festival

With all the filming of shows being done at burgeoning Seminole Heights retail shop and music venue The Far Forest, we didn’t think it would be long before one of Tampa Bay’s most soulful voices would get booked.

Kristopher James’ Gaye-slash-McDonald-esque vocals are backed by orchestral elements on his latest “I Can Only Love You In a Song,” and his band will probably launch into it at some point during this phone-free “songs and stories” gig, opened by Songbird Shella and her self-described “velvety vocals.”

Tickets to see Kristopher James and Songbird Shella on Sunday, Aug. 27 at Far Forest in Tampa are $10.