Making Musical Ends Meet

Written on February 17, 2012 at 2:06 pm | No Comments |

In May 2011 I quit my job as UK Manager for a major international company to pursue music. It was a great job with lots of autonomy, responsibility and was well remunerated. But, like Martin Luther, I had a dream. I am musical to my core and wanted to try and make a living in the shark infested and highly competitive waters of the music industry…. somehow.

“It’s better to have tried and failed than to live life wondering what would’ve happened if I had tried”
Alfred Lord Tennyson

My first task was to finish my album “Hanging Up My Cape.” This was months of intensive work and a very steep leaning curve but ultimately I was very pleased with the results. Once the joy of creating was over I was left with touring the album and working out how the hell I could make a living from being a solo singer-songwriter…. No easy task. In fact to this day I still don’t really know. Looking at it as a business model I can see no obvious revenue streams*…. at least not the kind that would pay the rent. Music sales are down and even majors with their marketing clout are struggling. Sync and perfromance royalties are the obvious way but that’s easier said than done.

So I decided to expand my horizons and put my eggs in as many musical baskets as possible. So I decided to try my hand as a guitar teacher. Helping others learn the trade and get as much joy from playing as I have seemed an obvious choice and how rewarding it was. So Guitar Lessons North London was born (catchy I know). I also decided to get involved in producing music for TV and Media which has turned out to be one of the most incredible things I have ever done. I realize at heart I am a composer rather than a performer and my first piece of scoring work goes live next week….. more to follow.

*when I say no obvious revenue streams I’m talking about earning a living, at my level, from performing writing and recording as a solo artist.

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Stevie Wonder – Soulful Times

Written on December 2, 2011 at 11:39 am | No Comments |

I have a freind who spends far too much time surfing YouTube and he played me this video of Stevie Wonder playing live on Sesame Street. I’m a massive fan of Stevie. He’s a phenominal musician and songwriter. The first thing that blew me away was the thought of music of this calibre being part of a kids TV programme…. I should have been born in the 70s!
The second thing that below me away is that Stevie and The Band keep jammin it out for nearly 7 minutes!!!! Our consumption of music is so different today. Songs for radio today are usually tailored to 3mins 30. What happened to the soul of music? What happened to awesome musicians laying down awesome grooves without having to inhibit themselves to a commercial imperative?? I could be really cynical and ask what happened to musicians?? Answers on a postcard. Either way, I’m waiting to see the Quantic Soul Orchestra jammin out on Teletubbies very soon. Enjoy!

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Bathroom Session 2 – Acoustic Jim ‘Time’

Written on November 14, 2011 at 3:07 pm | No Comments |

So here it is, the moment you’ve all been waiting for. It’s the second installment of the Bathroom Sessions.

It’s worth stressing that everything you see is performed live using a loop pedal. Time is taken from the debut album ‘Hanging Up My Cape.’ Click here to watch the incredible animated music video

Have a listen to the album here Acoustic Jim – ‘Hanging Up My Cape’

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Tim Minchin – Storm

Written on November 5, 2011 at 12:00 pm | No Comments |

I’d heard of Tim Minchin and liked what I’d seen but it was only when I started wasting time on YouTube that I started to understand the genius of this guy. Musically speaking he is excellent and lyrically he is sublime. His songs are both articulate and intelligent and packed full of incisive wit! What a combo!

The song ‘Prejudice‘ is excellent but Storm is my favourite not least because it is animated (I like moving pictures) and I love the way in which he addresses issues with which I too take issue. Here it is for your viewing pleasure.

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Bathroom Sessions – Losing, Lost, Found

Written on October 31, 2011 at 9:40 pm | No Comments |

Live acoustic music from my toilet!
YouTube is king and certainly in terms of music, it is the place that the vast majority of people go to consume. Just have a look at the 2010 Music Website Heat Map. So, I thought it was about time that I started getting more of my music on YouTube. What better way than with the Bathroom Sessions – live acoustic music from my toilet!

It’s not secret that the best acoustics in most people’s homes is the bathroom, so I thought I’d make a series of videos performing my back catalogue and a few cheeky covers from the comfort of my bathroom. The first in this series is ‘Losing, Lost, Found’ which is take from my debut album ‘Hanging Up My Cape’

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Laszlo – Bohemian Groove

Written on September 27, 2011 at 5:00 pm | No Comments |

I love this video for the simple reason that it shows that when talented musicians come together, magic happens. I may well be a bit biased as I have had the honour of working with a couple of these guys but that does not undermine the quality of this song or performance.

Lydian Label‘s Laszlo (AKA Aaron Wheeler) produced my debut EP ‘Life Two Point Oh‘ for me way back when and had a hand in ‘Hanging Up My Cape‘ too. He is an inspirational musician/composer and has become a good friend. Todd Baker is a phenominal guitarist and featured on my debut album. Have a listen to the guitar in ‘She’s The One.’

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Great Music Video

Written on September 22, 2011 at 6:30 pm | No Comments |

When looking to do a music video I used a company called Radar Music Video. I posted my budget and brief and got budding video directors contacting me with ideas. I ultimately chose Chob Animation who presented me with an incredible animated idea for the track ‘Time.’ The result is below

The theme is based on the ‘Bucket List’ concept of two elderly gents who having found out they they don’t have long to live, embark on an adventure to do all the things they never made time for. The theme of the track Time, is that despite always saying that we ‘don’t have time,’ we do actually have time. It’s just a question of what we choose to do with it.

Chob’s 2D animation pays hommage to the greats like Tex Avery and Warner Bros and is filled with pathos as well as the tongue in cheek comedy that was typical of the era. Look out for a similar video for Superhero – coming soon.

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Why pay for music?

Written on September 16, 2011 at 10:06 pm | No Comments |

In brief, if you like an artist, and want them to continue making music for your listening pleasure then buying their music, rather than downloading it for free, goes a long way to helping them make more music……

The internet is saturated with millions of songs by millions of bands. Each one hoping to be heard by the ever-elusive A&R guys or major label management. Peer to peer file sharing means that in the same way as back in the 80s when I used to copy friend’s cassettes, (what else would you use a double cassette deck for?) people are sharing music but with unprecedented speed and ease. I don’t need to go round to my mates house now and record in real time. It was a given that this was going to happen so why all the furore? The major labels have the most to lose as their dwindling revenue shows but forgive me if I don’t shed a tear for them. It’s the artist that loses out.

Read more

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Acoustic Jim New Album – OUT NOW!

Written on August 12, 2011 at 11:06 am | 1 Comment |

It’s landed! My debut album is now available! Self-released, self-produced and self-funded!

After months of hard work and a very steep learning curve in producing an album the fruits of my labour are now available for one and all!

Please have a listen and enjoy! please also drop me line on Facebook and let me know what you think!

  • iTunes
  • Bandcamp
  • CDbaby
  • Amazon

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Acoustic Jim – FREE Music

Written on August 1, 2011 at 11:06 am | 1 Comment |

So it’s now official! The release of my debut album is the 12th August. It will go on pre release on the 5th August and if you are lucky enough to see me live between 5th and 12th you will be able to get a physical copy!

The album will be launched at the same time as a fully animated music video for Time – watch this space for a teaser!

In the meantime, by way of celebration, I’m giving away my back catalogue for free. Feel free to TELL THE WORLD!!!!

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