Artistic Soul – A Minor Factotum

Written on December 12, 2012 at 11:08 am | No Comments |

A Minor Factotum is the home of the creative musings of the incredibly talented Nick Jobbings. Aside from the fact that he is an old school friend his art holds a special place in my heart, not least because he has provided the artwork for all of my musical releases.

He has always amazed me in his ability to recreate that which he sees around him, giving it his own artistic sheen, but also his ability to delve in to the dark recesses of his mind and create the most complex imagery from nothing.

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Acoustic Jim & The Wires perform ‘Parklife’ with Phil Daniels

Written on November 19, 2012 at 12:05 pm | 2 Comments |

On Saturday 17th of January… we lived the dream.

In light of the success of ‘This House,’ (a new play by writer James Graham) at the National Theatre, the company had a party. All the cast and crew were there and a few of them got up to have a jam with Acoustic Jim and The Wires (‘This House’ Band).

One of the cast members who came up to jam was Phil Daniels who in addition to his stellar acting career, is also known for the song ‘Parklife’ which he recorded with Blur in 1994.

We got to perform it with him… need I say more?

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Acoustic Jim – Musical Director

Written on August 18, 2012 at 10:31 am | No Comments |

Oooh la la, it’s been a long time since my last post. I’ve been slack… but incredibly busy.

So as well as working on the music for several TV shows I have landed the role of Musical Director for an new play – This House – at the National Theatre – http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/this-house. It’s all happened very quickly and is possibly one of the greatest most exciting opportunities of my life to date.

It entails working alongside renowned composer Stephen Warbeck who has scored films like ‘Shakespeare in Love’ and ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.’ I have the honour of working with an sterling cast which includes amongst, others, Phil Daniels (Quadrophenia, EastEnders) Phil Glenister (Life On Mars). I’ve singled them out because I recognise them. There are some other legends amongst the cast but I’m generally terrible at recognising people. Just yesterday I went to tackle an intruder in my flat but it turned out to be my wife.

Not only will I be working with the cast and crew to hone and craft the musical detail of the play, but Acoustic Jim & The Wires will be the house band providing all live musical support.

The play is set in Parliament in 1974 and as such the musical numbers throughout will have a 70′s rock vibe to them. A slight departure from Acoustic Jim’s normal fare although I initially took up guitar to emulate the like of Guns and Roses so I’m no stranger to rock! I won’t be changing my name to Electric Jim just yet. If anything that may cause confusion with Electric Sam.

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Got To Be Funky!

Written on March 7, 2012 at 11:25 am | No Comments |

There is no music that gets me going like funk music! When that rhythm section kicks in I just gots to move. It’s infectious. A friend, DJ and dance adversary Jim Sharpe sent me through a mix tape with a taste of the funk and soul weekly that is dropped on the Saturday sessions of The Paradise (www.theparadise.co.uk) on Kilburn Lane, Kensal Green, so I thought I’d share it.

Great for cutting rug to and great background music whilst you work. 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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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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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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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!!!!

Category Blog, Featured, Songs | Tags: ,,,,,,,,

Acoustic Jim Cover of Snoop Dogg – Gs and Hustlas

Written on May 5, 2011 at 4:18 pm | No Comments |

Back in 94 when Acoustic Jim was rolling with the Dogg Pound, he and Snoop wrote a song called ‘Gs and Hustlas.’ Unfortunately, back in the day, AJ and Snoop got blazed and tuned it into a hip hop track. Jim is playing the song here how it was originally intended…… as an acoustic cover version. Although still in touch, Jim and Snoop roll with different crews these days. Jim choosing to roll with the Acoustic Crips. They both however, continue to rock the mic in their respective fashions.
 

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