- Sun, 2006-05-07 11:13
From his very first song, “a protest song about the Vietnam war," to Jim and a like-minded soul named Batfinks' rendition of 808 State's In Yer Face at a 1991 school assembly, to the incredible Tower Of Love album, Jim Noir has a laid back attitude to making music, but, whatever he does - it works.
"Me and Batfinks have a strange psychic sense when we play together which achieves bizarre results," says Jim. "We have a huge back catalogue of music which will come out when I can afford to waste money on my own label."
I Like Music caught up with Jim Noir to talk about making music, the web and what not to do.
“I Like Music because… it likes me.” Jim Noir
ILM: Your new single My Patch is out on May 1st. Can you give us your own personal description of the track's whole vibe?
Jim: It’s kind of a bouncey little ditty… it’s a walking tune, you can walk to it.
ILM: A walking tune? So, a determined stride or a gentle stroll?
Jim: A determined stride.
ILM: You toured the UK recently. How did that all go?
Jim: It was really good. I didn’t quite expect the reaction we got at some of the venues, everyone singing and stuff, it was pretty crazy.
ILM: Lots of dates coming up too. What can fans expect from your live shows?
Jim: Same again really, never anything new, maybe a couple of new songs. There might be a new audience, or a bigger venue.
ILM: You are a great live act. What do you look forward to the most about playing live?
Jim: The end… when I get home. Nah, it’s a buzz just being there, people singing these little tunes I’ve made up. Quite strange. Lyrics I’ve made up in my bedroom and it's strange how people grab hold of them.
ILM: Is there a track you like to play live the most?
Jim: Computer Song, probably, that one always sounds really good.
ILM: You played at some festivals in America just recently, SXSW and Coachella. How were they? How do gigs like that vary to the UK?
Jim: Really good, again I didn’t really expect the reaction we got, it wasn’t like rapturous, but people went away liking what they heard. We were on the same bill as some rockier bands, so I think we were a nice break for them. They don’t vary much, a bit more whooping and hollering in the US.
ILM: Tower Of Love I’ve read as being a “near enough perfect album” Is there such a thing as a perfect album?
Jim: No, not that one anyway. I don’t think it’s that good, I’ve got better in me. I’m not a perfectionist, not at all, I’m lazy, and it’s just built-in. I can’t be arsed to do anything too much, I just do it until it’s gone far enough. I’m not a perfectionist, I’m an imperfectionist. Wrong notes, they’re the best bits.
ILM: Can you describe the Jim Noir process of writing and recording such good music?
Jim: I sit down, have a brew and a fag, and just tinker away for a bit until something happens. I like to get stuff finished as quickly as possible, I don’t spend more than a day on a song, so if it doesn’t get finished that day it gets thrown away. So it’s all very spontaneous, that’s the way I like it, that’s the purest way of thinking power, don’t think about just do it.
ILM: Is there one single piece of equipment you could not live without?
Jim: Well, my PC. That’s the nerve-centre. I can’t tell you what software I’m using.
ILM: Loads of people are using the internet these days and getting their music out there before even getting a record deal. How has the internet affected you?
Jim: I’m not sure really, it’s easier to have somewhere for people who like you to go. I’ve got the old website and myspace page, as far as selling music I’m not sure really. I prefer vinyl. But yeah, you can gather a community together and bounce ideas off each other. I was a bit sceptical of Myspace at first, I thought it was like a ‘my first website’ kind of thing. But actually its good for sharing music with fans.
ILM: You must have learnt a lot so far. Have you got any advice for others looking to come into music industry?
Jim: Just don’t try too hard to get in to the music industry; worry about the music and not the fame. And don’t send a letter with your demo, that’s rule number one, because it makes you look desperate and they get these letters all the time.
ILM: So, let the music do the talking?
Jim: Yeah. Get a CD, magic marker your name and phone number on it and bang. That’s what I did anyway.
ILM: What are the future plans for Jim Noir?
Jim: I suppose, just produce another band, that’d be fun. And maybe a film score or something, that’d be pretty cool. Other than that, the largest analogue synth CD collection I’m working on.
ILM: Can you describe your favourite place on Earth?
Jim: It’s seven foot by four foot, a soft square thing that you lie down on and sleep, a bed.
ILM: What’s in your CD player right now? What are you listening to for pleasure?
Jim: I was listening to ABBA believe it or not, but also this fifties track called Patients Of Freedom, it’s from the Lottery advert. I like that a lot.
