Interview: Singer-Songwriter JRtheBand Discusses His Latest Song/Lyric Video "Blind Eye Beholder"
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“Every song I write tells a story about you and me, where “you” can be anyone, and “me” may or may not be a person, but a concept. ”
Congratulations on the release of your new song "Blind Eye Beholder", and its lyric video. What was your inspiration behind the development of the song itself?
I was a budding songwriter and I had written a bunch of music. I was looking for a singer to sing my first fully complete song with lyrics for verse, bridge chorus, and all the music parts written. Let's just say it didn't work out. But the experience made me realize that pandering to someone to get them to do what you want is never a good idea. I had to kiss this person's butt just to get them to show up to the studio on the days I had it booked. And even then it was a 50/50 shot they'd make it, and you know how expensive studio time can be.
When I finally decided I'd had enough, I cut ties with this person, and felt a freeing sense of relief, like a burden lifted, or like I could walk lighter. I equated it to the lightbulb going off and wondered if this person ever had the lightbulb go off in their mind, in the event they ever looked back and wondered why I had to end things.
I was so inspired by this sense of relief, that I stopped saying "I can't" sing, or "I'm not a singer", and I began taking vocal lessons and finally learning how to use this instrument we call "the Voice" if nothing else so I alone ensure my songs can be heard. Not only did I end up doing the vocals on that song, which became "Live my Grace", but I went on to sing and release nine more originals in just over a year, plus a dozen more recorded but yet-to-be-released.
Up until then, I had written hundreds of "songs", but they were really just chord progressions. It taught me that you can take control back in your life, as long as you have the right mindset. Felt like the perfect story to be told in song form.
Regarding the lyric video, who directed it, and how did you come up with its treatment?
Every song I write tells a story about you and me, where "you" can be anyone, and "me" may or may not be a person, but a concept. First, I imagine the visuals over the lyrics that I had in mind when I wrote the song. I then fully design and direct every single one of my video concepts including sourcing and sequencing much of the footage. From there, I contract with several amazing production partners, e.g.companies like 351 Studio or True Story Films, who turn my vision into the professional quality, well-produced pieces you can find on my YouTube channel and/or website.
Will "Blind Eye Beholder" be featured on an upcoming EP or album? If so, what can you tell us about the project?
That is a great question, one I myself have been wrestling with if I'm being honest. As a relatively unknown songwriter, it's hard to know where your resources are best invested. Certainly, an EP/LP is always an option, but I need to make sure enough people care enough, to that level, about my music.
I think I have a very small, but extremely dedicated fan base. If we can grow that into thousands of people who might buy my album, then I say heck yeah let's do it! Alas, I need to be realistic, and we're just not there yet.
In the meantime, I will continue to release a new track every few months and stay engaged with my fans on Instagram and YouTube (to a lesser extent FB and TW) in between releases. That type of release schedule and engagement rhythm seems to be working wonders for growing my followers and fan base.
As a singer-songwriter and producer, how would you describe your creative process when you are working on new music?
All I can really say to describe it would be "choreographed chaos". I am relentless when it comes to melody and lyrics. So I start everything with chords. Because you can have infinite melodies over any single chord progression. This allows me to explore melodies, but the flip side of that coin is I can latch on to a melody, go into the studio and record it, only to completely rewrite the lyric line and/or possibly the melody. This can happen dozens of times until I've settled on "the one" that becomes the final mix of any given track I'm working on. And I tend to work on 2-5 tracks at a time because I am a melody factory.
Recording allows me to filter out the melodies that don't work as well in the real world as they do in my head. So I've created this feedback loop for myself of *write-record-listen-improve*.
With 2020 ending, what are some of your goals musically for 2021, and is there something that you will do different artistically moving forward?
Man if 2020 has taught me one thing it's "take it as she comes". All I can do is continue to put out music true to my soul, and that I feel lives up to my ardently high-quality standards.
From there, I continue to be a study in learning how best to find the folks out there likely to "get" my type of music. Pieces like this really go a long way to helping get the word out there, so I am grateful for your interest and introduction to your fans.
I am open to any doors my music might open in 2021, and am excited about what the future might hold. Have a happy and HEALTHY New Year!
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