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Interview for avrilbandaids.com
February 2012 Jim McGorman's Interview with Avril Bandaids! Jim McGorman, who you all know as Avril's guitarist, background vocalist, and musical director, has taken the time to answer some of your questions for an interview with Avril Bandaids! Jim has been with Avril since 2007, but he also has his own musical career both solo and with other artists. Make sure to check out his single "Girls" on iTunes and follow him on Twitter: @JimmyMcGorman. And here's the interview! ____________________________________ 1. How did you get interested in music and who are some of your biggest influences? In my family, music was always around. My father plays piano and sings and many of the people on my mother's side of the family played piano, sang and danced. 2. How did you first meet Avril? A friend of mine told me that she was having trouble finding a new guitarist and suggested that I try for it. 3. What is your own writing process like? Every song is different. Sometimes, I will write lyrics on a plane and put music to them later - sometimes I have a melody that sticks in my head. Lately though, it has been much more methodical. I have a writing and producing partner, and we write almost every day. 4. What’s the best part about writing and performing music for a living? When something that you are involved in makes people smile, or move their bodies, or makes them think: it is a beautiful feeling. Also, being able to see the world and experience different cultures and meet different and fascinating people has been a blessing. 5. Which countries are your favorite to visit and perform in and why? I have favorites - and if I don't say a certain place, people might be upset. Since I am part Italian, Italy always feels close to home. Ireland for the same reason. My wife LOVED Paris - and musically London is always inspiring. For the sun and fun, Brazil! 6. Are there any of Avril’s songs from Goodbye Lullaby that you’d like to have played on tour? I feel that we picked the right ones. 7. What artists/bands have you always wanted to perform with? For a while, I thought it would be great to play with Sheryl Crow. I love her songs and a few of my friends were in her band. That being said, I have always been a singer/songwriter and in bands. I never really saw myself playing for other artists. That is just the way it worked out......not that I am complaining. 8. What were some of your favorite moments (on-stage or off) during the Black Star Tour? It's always great to see new places - and since I had never been to Brazil, getting to see the beach in Rio and Christ The Redeemer was pretty awesome. We also had an amazing day in Shanghai at the Big Buddha. As for on stage, singing Pumped Up Kicks was a definite highlight - which segues nicely into your next question. 9. How did you guys decide to play Pumped Up Kicks in Malaysia? (Awesome performance, by the way!) Av said she wanted to change it up for the last show - and suggested we all switch instruments. Rodney suggested Pumped Up Kicks, which is a song that I have loved ever since I heard it. It was a blast to sing it in front of more than 10K people. Amazing way to end the tour. Link to the interview |