Interview: Seattle Singer-Songwriter Jim Marcotte Discusses the Visual For His Single "The Light"
/
We connected with Seattle based soulful, bluesy "Eclectric" rock singer-songwriter Jim Marcotte for an exclusive interview to discuss his new music video for the song “The Light”, which is featured on his EP, “Hidden”. We also learned more from Jim about his creative process for the development of new songs, how he and director Dylan Randolph came up with the treatment of the video, what he enjoys most about performing live in the greater Puget Sound area, and much more.
After reading our Q&A with Jim, be sure to connect with him on his website and social media, stream both “The Light” and “Hidden” on Spotify, and check out some more of his music catalog.
Describe your creative process when it comes to the development of new music.
My process always starts with the music and a melody. I continually come up with chord progressions and play with them. The ones that stick and I come back to are typically the ones I pursue with a simple melody. If I have a topic or am feeling some lyrical direction, I take a stab at the lyrics myself. Sometimes that works and sometimes I struggle. If I am struggling, I ask my wife Traci Wilson to come up with something. She is a natural writer and I am fortunate she is willing to assist. More often than not, she can provide me some meaningful content I can use based on the melodic structure I provide.
Congratulations on the release of your new music video for "The Light", which appears on your EP, "Hidden". Of all the songs on the EP, why did you choose to make a visual for "The Light"?
“The Light” was chosen as the lyrics written by Traci provide such great visuals on their own. Coupled with my musical composition, we both felt like the song would translate really well and effortlessly on film as compared to the other tracks on the EP.
Following up on the last question, how did you and the director Dylan Randolph come up with the video's treatment?
Traci and I sat down and scripted out the screenplay. We then vetted out several local videographers. Upon meeting with Dylan and presenting our screenplay, he was the first to advise that our treatment was “doable” and also affordable to achieve.
What would you say has been your biggest accomplishment as an artist since you began making music?
The completion of “The Light” video project. I have been waiting years to have a visual legacy for one of my recorded compositions. For a lot of reasons, I had not been able to fully realize a proper video until now.
You've mentioned that you play at a lot of different venues in the greater Puget Sound area. What do you enjoy most about performing for a live audience?
The interaction I receive when an individual or group of people are moved by a song I am playing live. Audience feedback is so important. When I can lock eyes with a person and sing to them directly, it is a magical connection which is unmatched.
We've recently entered a new year and decade; what are some of your goals musically for 2020?
Continue to work as a musician playing paid gigs. I have a new song which I would like to record, release as a single and perhaps employ Dylan to shoot for another video for that song.
Also, find a project I can just be “the guitarist” playing other people’s music which takes some pressure off of all attention on me in a performance at any given time and allows me to play electric guitar, which I love to do in that role.
Stream and Share “The Light” on Spotify