I’m using the TikTok to post content, all in an attempt to keep Al Gore’s Rhythm fed and feisty. I edited this down for those who feel the need to watch shorter vids.
I’m covering one of my favorite bands from the Dayton,Ohio scene of the 90s, Swearing at Motorists.
@jimbaumerme #coversongs #swearingatmotorists #indierock #daytonohio ♬ original sound – JimBaumerME
Just like Oliver Anthony, I release my new songs via Distrokid. It works well because for a minimal annual membership, I can launch multiple tracks/albums via a host of streaming platforms.
Streaming seems to be where it’s at (even if no one makes any money), so I thought I’d take Distrokid’s suggestion and create a playlist of my own, including two of my own tracks. My playlist, “This is Indie Music” is a really good gathering of my influences and the bands/artists who inform what I do as a songwriter and guitar player.
Have at it!!
Oh, and feel free to add my songs to your Spotify playlists.
JimBaumerMe, above the fold (Bangor Daily News, 12/28)
BIDDEFORD, Maine — All things considered, it’s been a decent year for Jim Baumer. The artist wrote a few dozen songs, put out his first EP and networked his way to 45 gigs at pubs and other stages across New England.
But it wasn’t that long ago that Baumer, a writer, didn’t play music at all. Although he’d always wanted to, it wasn’t until his son’s death that he began to devote time to it.
Mark Baumer was a writer and climate activist who died in January 2017 at age 33. He was struck by a car and killed in Florida while walking across the U.S. to raise awareness about climate change, and to raise funds for a friend’s environmental organization. He was reportedly wearing a high-visibility vest at the time he was struck and walking against traffic in accordance with safety guidelines. His death was a national story.
Last night I played a gig in Rochester, New Hampshire. It was a Wednesday night show at Mitchell Hill BBQ. On the way over from Biddeford, about 35 miles with a border crossing in Somersworth, I got turned around. I should have just shot down Route 111, but instead, took Route 9 instead. My mistake.
Showed up a bit harried. Had to drag my gear down the sidewalk nearly a ¼ mile because there was no parking due to outdoor dining barriers set-up along North Main Street.
I played the gig. Nothing from the audience. That’s fine. I gave them what I had for two hours including my epic mash-up of “Icarus” and “Michael Row Your Boat Ashore” and the first live performance of “Finding a New Path.” Made $17 in tips. It was a Wednesday night. Someone had to take this filler slot and I gave it the old college try. I’m appreciative for the booking, so “thanks Bob.” Continue reading
Most people rarely follow their hearts/dreams. It’s so much easier to simply wish upon a star.
Back in the late 1990s, I decided I wanted to be a writer. Then, Stephen King told me that being a writer wasn’t simply wishing you wanted to be a writer. “Oh,” I thought. I guess there’s some work involved. You have to write. Indeed.
I learned my lesson about writing. But what about music?
Playing the guitar is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve had a guitar and I’ve had seasons when I played it quite a bit. But inevitably, it would always end up back in the case, with the case building up a sheen of dust. Hard lessons don’t always stay with us.
My son was killed in 2017. Life came to a standstill for me, or pretty damn close. I could barely function for months. Then, one afternoon, my guitar came out of the case and it’s stayed out ever since.
I wrote “Walking Down the Road” last summer, in August, right after we moved to Biddeford. It’s about Mark’s final walk, as told in his voice, if he could still speak to us. I even have the first lo-fi recording of it made on my phone, in my clothes closet. I thought that would make for a great makeshift studio. I’ve since migrated to my basement, “my bunker” as my wife calls it. She actually decorated it a week ago, and now I have Christmas lights down there.
Having a Bandcamp page is something I’ve thought about. But for some reason, I held off setting one up. I guess I needed more time in the “woodshed.”
JimBaumerME on the Bandcamp
I’ve written 15 songs over the past year. I have an album’s worth of material. I’m starting to create some stark home recordings of my songs. Others like Guided by Voices, Swearing at Motorists, and Daniel Johnston have done similar things. They are certainly artists worth modeling myself after, but at the same time, I’m not really looking to be just like them–they’re guideposts for sure–but I have my own sense of where I want to go as a musician.
So, if you are inclined, bookmark my Bandcamp page. I’ll continue to post new songs and before long, there will be a full-length album.