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Exclusive interview with Jim
January 2012 Part 1 Jim - past and future K&M: Looking back on 2011, what would be some of your highlights from the year that you remember the most? Jim: Europe with my wife, Italy with Avril and the guys, touring in South America (especially Rio), visiting the Big Buddha in China and the Macy's Day Parade (even though I didn't actually play). K&M: You know we love your single “Girls”. You received tons of positive feedback from many fans. Did you receive any feedback or comments from music industry peers about the track? If so, what did they say about it? Jim: In all honesty, I did not play it for anyone I know in "the industry". K&M: How was your song “Here” selected to be in the movie White Irish Drinkers? Jim: The music supervisor for the film told me about the scene and the type of song they were looking for, and I played him Here and he loved it. The producer and director loved it as well and they put it in the film. K&M: We note you had a number of other band projects in the past, could you tell us more about The Days and TV Nation? Jim: I had always been in bands my whole life - and enjoyed the collaboration. Those projects were with some of my best friends and favorite musicians. But the busier you get, the harder it is to keep a band together - it takes a lot of work! K&M: A few months ago you wrote a fabulous piece for Berklee Today Magazine. Any upcoming articles on the horizon we can expect to see written by you? Jim: I am about to submit another pitch this month - I'll let you know if it gets in somewhere. K&M: Two part question: Plans for 2012 and will it include any new Jim McGorman music? Jim: Take a vacation!!!! I have a few songs already completed that will be coming out this year. I am excited for everyone to hear them!! In fact, I will be doing a radio interview with the Jimmy Star show on Wed. Jan 18th and will be debuting one of the songs then! Music industry K&M: The music industry seems to be changing that includes artists turning themselves into franchises such as sponsorship of concerts, merchandising. Labels appear to be pushing artists into becoming media companies. How do you feel about this? Good or bad for the industry? Jim: I don't really have a strong stance on it. Sometimes I feel that if you are too wrapped up in other things, how much time and attention are you placing on the music??? It just seems that artists are so involved in so many things that have nothing to do with writing and performing great music, I wonder how the records would sound if they weren't so busy with other things. That's why I commend John Mayer for quitting twitter. He realized it was wasting a ton of his time and taking focus away from his music. K&M: With the growth of the digital age, do you think CDs will be around in five years? Jim: Unfortunately, probably not. I haven't purchased one in a while and I don't see a reason for them to come back in style unless they come up with a great reason not to download. K&M: In 1995, you graduated from Berklee with a degree in Audio Engineering and Production. Fast forward to 2011 and consider what you have learned through the years. What advice would you give a student graduating with your same degree on how to remain competitive and employed in the music business? Jim: Just be a sponge. Learn about everything. Learn multiple DAWS (Pro Tools, Logic, LIVE, Cubase, etc.) Know MIDI and how to string up a guitar and tune it. Learn studio etiquette : know when to speak up and when to shut up. Have confidence without being cocky. K&M: Do you think the live music scene (and concerts) have been positively or negatively affected by the ease of access to music online through ITunes and subscription services such as Spotify? Jim: The more outlets you have to get noticed, the better chance you have of getting people in the seats. |