 |
| Jim the Boss, by Cecily Gaither |
La Libertad: Where were you born?
Jim: I was born in a small town in N.J. [New Jersey], called Secaucus.
La Libertad: Where do you currently reside?
Jim: Another small town about fifteen minutes from Secaucus called Hoboken. Even though it's small, about 1.5 square miles, it's much more populated because most of the residents commute to New York City. Hoboken is right on the Hudson River.
La Libertad: What is your occupation?
Jim: I'm a recording engineer, and I own a record label that specializes in revival style reggae, rock, and soul.
La Libertad: What do you love most about your work?
Jim: I love getting in with the studio band and just rocking out. Seeing what we can come up with... It's great to see my studio band come in and play. They are all working musicians, but I can tell that they can't wait to come and just lay tracks down. Get away from the stresses of everyday lives for a few hours... I like meeting the new people that come into the studio also. So many creative souls out there and I just can't wait to meet them all! Laugh, share stories, pick their brains and make great music...
La Libertad: What talents and hobbies do you have?
Jim: Other than recording and mixing music, I study magic (no, not witchcraft), sleights, and illusions. It's more of a hobby than a performance for me. I started about twelve years ago, and did it on and off. Now I do it more just for the enjoyment and to make my girlfriend smile. She's the only audience I need.
La Libertad: What inspires you?
Jim: Many things. Sometimes my girlfriend will be playing piano and play a riff. It gives me a spark of an idea in my head and a new song will be made the next day. I like a lot of ambient sounds like shoe heels clicking on wood or concrete. Leaves scratching against each other or rocks hitting pavement. It gives me ideas for sounds to make in the studio. Translate that rock crush to a snare sound or a leaf rustle to a shaker or guiró.
[NOTE: Guiró is a Spanish word for an instrument which consists of a ridged object, such as a soda bottle, or a piece of bamboo with ridges carved into the side of it, and a stick to rub over the ridges, creating a scraping sound which can be musical.]
La Libertad: What is the hardest part of your job(s)?
Jim: Basically anything that doesn't involve me inside the studio creating. For me, if I could just get someone to just do all the business end, it would be easier on my brain, so to speak. I do enjoy talking to the writers, the press, the radio stations... But sometimes it can become a daunting task; though, I just know that the more time and effort I put into it, [the more] I will feel accomplished and... good. Anyone out there looking to be my assistant? [Laughs.]
La Libertad: What foreign languages, if any, do you read, write, and/or speak?
Jim: Unfortunately, I can't fluently read [or] write any language other than English, though I can understand a bit of French and Spanish. Some of my family are French citizens, so I try to learn a bit there. Also, the area I grew up in has a lot of latinos - Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and Mexicans to be exact. I grew up around many different latino foods, cultures, and music. I can understand a bit of Spanish when it comes to ordering food, but I wouldn't call myself an expert.
La Libertad: Where have you traveled?
Jim: I have been to Ireland at least six times. Some of my family lived there. I also have lived in Florida, which isn't much of a foreign place, but compared to being from an area like New York City, it is foreign enough. [laughs.] I also have been to Canada. What a beautiful country that is!
La Libertad: What are your career goals?
Jim: Grow and expand my studio and label, little by little. I would like to have a bigger roster, but I know that has to take its time to come to me. I understand the work involved. I would like to get into T.V./film work.
La Libertad: What projects are you working on?
Jim: Currently, I have been working with some amazing Jamaican artists that have a group called Skarob. We are doing a reggae version of The Temptations' classic, "My Girl." Also, been working on a new band called Horsehead Men, which will debut in the L.A. area spring/summer 2015. Other projects include work with Dave Hillyard, Miserable Man, Victor Rice, [and] Kiwi.
La Libertad: What upcoming events, if any, do you intend to participate in?
Jim: Not technically an outside event, but pretty soon we will be building a new space for the recording facilities. We will be launching a fundraising campaign through Indiegogo.
La Libertad: What links would you like to share?
Jim:
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/hobokenhifi
Website: www.hobokenhifi.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/studiotworecordings
La Libertad: What else, if anything, would you like to tell our readers?
Jim: Be creative as much as possible, even if you don't feel you are the creative type. There [are] plenty of interesting things out there that you can do. Within recent years, many of us spend many hours getting sucked into others' creations without taking the time to experience our own creative side. Nothing wrong with listening to your favorite record, playing a video game or reading a book all day long... But, take time to step back from that and unleash your own creativity onto the world. You will surprise yourself!
Interview by Libertad Green
No comments:
Post a Comment