Jim James puts on his solo jacket

As the leader of My Morning Jacket, Jim James has been known for extended Southern rock jams.

Over the past few years, James has added elements of soul, R&B and electro-funk to the band’s sound.

Those influences have come even more to the forefront on James’ first solo album, “Regions of Light and Sound of God.”

amNewYork chatted with him as he got ready to launch a nationwide tour with his new band.

What about soul inspires you musically? I like the forward motion and feeling of progress. Some music just “sits” and sometimes you need to sit there with something until you figure it out, but then you need to move. I guess I have just gotten tired of sitting and have felt more like moving.

You often talk about your spirituality and God. Why is it important for you to talk about it publicly? I don’t know. I don’t intend to have a “public” discussion of my spirituality, but that’s what I happen to think about and write about most of the time, so it just comes out that way. I don’t know why people do the things they do. I guess that’s why I’m asking “why” so much.

You’ve said the album was inspired by the graphic novel “God’s Man.” What was it about that book that affected you? You should read the book and check it out. To me it is one of the greatest works of art I have ever seen, and it has no music that comes with it. Being struck by something so visually, music just started to pop out of my head to accompany it.

What is it like to tour with another band after spending years with My Morning Jacket? It’s been wonderful. We have a really great band and it’s been really fun. It’s also a blessing to tour with MMJ because we also have a great long-standing relationship and love for one another.

Jim James is at Webster Hall Monday night at 7, 125 E. 11th St., 212-353-1600, $36.