Quick Q & A with Jim Trick (March 2014)

by Kathy S-B · 24 March 2014

Jim Trick is one of the most genuine people I’ve had the pleasure to meet during my time on this planet. He exudes “caring” and walks the walk. I’ve had the opportunity to get to know him over the course of the past year or so. Watching Jim interact with every single person he meets is a joy and it translates well to his life as a musician. His gentle and authentic stage presence combined with awesome songwriting make for a delightful show. Jim is a valued member of his community and fortunately, for everyone else beyond his town’s border, he’s getting more and more well known and spreading his music throughout the land.

To learn more about Jim Trick, visit his website. Here’s a video of Jim singing “Tear That Down.”

You’ve recently recorded a new CD, Further From the Tree. Tell us about the recording experience. Was it different than previous times in the studio?: I was fortunate to have become friends with Michael Pritzl of The Violet Burning and his wife Michelle. He’s living in the area while she finishes a master’s degree in alternative process photography, She’s actually working on the album artwork right now.; Neither of them do anything the easy way. Working with Michael changed everything for me. I am a better singer and guitar player for having worked with him. He actually got me to play piano on a track as well, which is way out of my comfort zone.; Further From the Tree is a folk album, so there was not a lot of room to hide in the mix and even if there was room to hide Michael wouldn’t have it. Tracking with Michael is pretty intense but totally worth it.; I recorded my last album with Tom Eaton. He was the first real producer that I trusted enough to really let go. That was a full band album, thus the process was very different.; We worked really really hard on this record and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
Are there any special songs on the new CD that you’re particularly proud of?: “A Road Called Home” is about an eight-week, cross country road trip that my wife and I are planning for May and June of this year. In many ways the song and trip are a line we are drawing in the sand in terms of how we want to live our lives going forward.; When the song was first being written a trip like we are going on was just a dream. Now it’s happening! In some crazy way this album is propelling us into a truer life, steeped in freedom and adventure.
Did you collaborate with anyone on any of the songs?: I’ve been writing with my dear friend and fellow me&thee veteran Rachel Taylor for years. She and I co-wrote a couple of the tracks on Further From the Tree. We actually co-wrote “A Road Called Home.”; She’s such a great writer and our strengths are very complementary. We were good friends for ten years before we ever started to write together. There’s so much trust and respect in our creative partnership. I never feel the need to edit myself. If I have an idea that makes no sense but feels resonant I can put it out there knowing it will be handled with care. I’ve never known anyone who writes melody like she does.
Do song ideas or melodies come to you at unexpected times? Does the muse visit you on a regular basis?: I used to wait for the muse to show up, not any more though. A group of us started a project called song a day in May a few years ago. It’s exactly what it sounds like.; When you have a commitment to writing a complete song every day for a whole month, you learn a lot about the discipline of songwriting.; Recently Rachel Taylor and I had a three-hour writing session where, for most of it, we looked at each other blankly trying to make something happen. As I was putting on my coat she asked me a question in passing that resulted in a complete song.; I’m constantly writing things that I hear in passing. I’m constantly playing the guitar. Songs are everywhere. Literally everywhere. Sometimes they show up out of the blue but if not, I’m happy to hunt ’em down.
You’ve had a pretty amazing year. It’s extremely inspirational to hear about your rather significant weight loss. What has it taught you about yourself and about human nature?: Thanks for that Kathy. Well I think being morbidly obese for most of my life had made me pretty compassionate. I used to hate pics of myself when I was heavier. I look at them now and really love that guy.; I think what I’ve learned is that I am 100% responsible for my own happiness. If we are willing to take responsibility (the ability to respond) for our choices, we can have anything we want.; Redemption is about turning past hurt and pain into new joy and opportunity.
I’m interested in learning more about your work as a life coach. This kind of work must be very rewarding when you witness your clients achieving their goals. It’s not something that you can take lightly, I’m sure. What are the personal attributes that a good life coach should possess?: By seeing people as whole, rather than broken a good coach realizes that the best answers actually don’t come from the coach.; The best coach is the one with the best questions and the most curiosity. Combine those items with compassion and a commitment to honesty and that coach will be impactful.; I’m blown away literally daily by my clients. There is nothing like witnessing transformation and the advancement that I’ve seen people make both personally and professionally is truly inspirational.; ThatLife.com is the online portal and the blog is being read by nearly three thousand people in over twenty countries.
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?: My wife just said “tall, dark and handsome.” . . . Ummmm hmmmmm. . . . I guess I hope to be loving, intentional and engaging. . . .

< Susan Werner | Sally Rogers >