NEW ALBUM!

Basement Songs (2019-2021)

James Dean Cotton

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"Basement Songs (2019-2021)" was recorded in my basement studio. These songs were written during isolation and cover a range of topics, from managing online excess to managing my own emotional state; from sadness to nostalgia to hope. See if they connect for you.
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  1. 1
    My Best Face 3:28
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  2. 2
    The Faraday Cage 6:24
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  3. 3
    Saturated 4:18
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  4. 4
    When The Sun Comes Up 2:44
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  5. 5
    Good Medicine 3:19
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  6. 6
    Praying For Rain 4:13
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  7. 7
    High On The Low Garden Wall 3:12
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  8. 8
    That's War 4:21
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  9. 9
    There Is A Bridge 3:36
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Albums

james dean (2020)

James Dean Cotton

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Picking up the pieces of the various single releases, this album has various themes, but maybe the most pervasive is SURVIVAL, and all the extremes we go to to ensure it.
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  1. 1
    Cold Crows 4:46
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  2. 2
    The New Normal 3:20
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  3. 3
    Skinny 3:48
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  4. 4
    Fort de la Chartreuse (feat. Lisette Lowe) 3:39
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  5. 5
    These Ancient Times 3:21
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  6. 6
    One World 3:48
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  7. 7
    Signs 3:34
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  8. 8
    The Final Commute 2:25
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New section

Blue | Green (2018)

James Dean Cotton

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All songs were written while living in the Pacific Northwest, most within the past year, a couple many years ago. I enjoyed making this album so much. I hope you enjoy hearing it.
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  1. 1
    Songs 3:37
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  2. 2
    Goodbye to Love (A Forest Requiem) 5:01
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  3. 3
    As Bad As You 3:57
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  4. 4
    Tiny Houses 4:26
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  5. 5
    Insomnia 5:22
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  6. 6
    Song for Everyone 3:53
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  7. 7
    Faces on the Wall 3:35
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  8. 8
    This Line 4:01
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  9. 9
    Tongue-Tied 3:03
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  10. 10
    Life in Hawaii is a Song 4:28
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Singles

One Way Ticket Home

James Dean Cotton

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I started the lyrics for this song as I was packing to go home to Missouri to be with my dad during his last days. I didn't know how long I would be there, just that I'd be there to the end. And though I'd traveled a lot, I'd never bought a one way ticket. It felt so final.

I stayed two weeks. Saw dad through to the end. This song is dedicated to
I started the lyrics for this song as I was packing to go home to Missouri to be with my dad during his last days. I didn't know how long I would be there, just that I'd be there to the end. And though I'd traveled a lot, I'd never bought a one way ticket. It felt so final.

I stayed two weeks. Saw dad through to the end. This song is dedicated to him.
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  1. One Way Ticket Home

California Burning

James Dean Cotton

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The Camp Fire wildfire of 2018 devastated the California towns of Paradise, Magalia, Concow and several surrounding communities. This song was written in memory of the lives and homes lost, the bravery of the firefighters and front line personnel, and the survivors. Extreme wildfires have become the norm around the world, and demand attention.
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  1. California Burning

Praying For Rain

James Dean Cotton

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This song was inspired by a wish for rain, to end the drought, tame the wildfires and clear the air. Of course, the rain is a metaphor, and can mean peace, nourishment, relief and respite of any kind. I hope we have plenty of it in our future.
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  1. Praying For Rain

Videos

Calendar

May28

The Northwest Folklife Festival, Streaming “The Quilt Sessions”.

Seattle, WA (prerecorded livestream)

Since 1972, the annual Northwest Folklife Festival has been a community-powered celebration of arts, culture, and heritage that make up the brilliant cultural tapestry of the greater Pacific Northwest! Created for and by 150+ Community Coordinators, the festival hosts over 6,000 artists and culture bearers across 25 stages and 200 food and craft vendors annually. The festival remains one of the largest community-powered festivals in the nation.

The 51st Annual Northwest Folklife Festival will take place on Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-30, 2022) in person at the Seattle Center and online at nwfolklife.org/festival.

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Jun24

2022 Finally Friday Art & Wine Walks

 — (PDT, UTC-07) — (PDT, UTC-07)

Snoqualmie, WA 98065

Wine. Art. Music. Food. What else do you need on a Friday?

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Jul2

ZuCo (Carmen Zullo & JD Cotton)

(PDT, UTC-07) (PDT, UTC-07)

Couth Buzzard Books Espresso Buono Cafe, 8310 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

I'll be performing with my good friend, Carmen in our ZuCo acoustic duo, in a 25 minute set of original songs. Couth Buzzard book store and cafe has an intimate performance space that regularly hosts music events. The SiS showcase here is a recurring event every 1st Saturday of the month.

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Livestreams

Monday evenings, 6:30-7:00PM Pacific, on Facebook Live

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ZuCo

ZUCO

A neo-folk band comprised of James Dean Cotton & Carmen Zullo and sometimes other talented musicians

ZUCO music

About

Aside from a career as a materials scientist, Seattle-based singer/songwriter, James Dean Cotton, is best known for performances at local coffeeshops and participation in the Northwest Folklife Festival. He's also one half of the local neo-folk band, ZuCo. Originally from Missouri, his style draws heavily on the singer-songwriters of the 1970's, such as James Taylor, Neil Young and Paul Simon, fusing native bluegrass with country, rock, jazz and blues elements.  His song, "Still My Little Home Town," recounts the struggles of small town America, and his release, "Praying for Rain", addresses the drought and wildfires of unprecedented proportions seen in the recent years.  JD has six studio albums and is currently writing the next while producing other artists. He's also active in 'Songwriters in Seattle', a Puget Sound-based nonprofit organization of more than 4,000 members that exists to assist songwriters in developing their craft and finding venues to be heard.

Guest Book

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  • Laura
    Laura Berkeley, California (and Rolla, MO)
    Oh, man. I'm transported. I'm so thrilled that you're still making music. Mom and Dad would have loved it.

    Oh, man. I'm transported. I'm so thrilled that you're still making music. Mom and Dad would have loved it.

  • JD
    JD Issaquah
    Bob D - Thanks! Hey, send me an email to jdcottonmusic@gmail.com so I can understand better what you're asking. --JD

    Bob D - Thanks! Hey, send me an email to jdcottonmusic@gmail.com so I can understand better what you're asking. --JD

  • Bob D
    Bob D Seattle
    James, just listened to "One World" again for the third time -- very nice rendition and arrangement. I know you work with David and his stuff - do you arrange for bands, perchance? :)

    James, just listened to "One World" again for the third time -- very nice rendition and arrangement. I know you work with David and his stuff - do you arrange for bands, perchance? smile

  • Jon Watson
    Jon Watson La Verne, CA
    Hey Jim! Really nice job on the web site. Videos are great and your songs are full of heart and soul. Congratulations!

    Hey Jim! Really nice job on the web site. Videos are great and your songs are full of heart and soul. Congratulations!

  • Lisa Yoder
    Lisa Yoder Missouri
    Wow! So impressed and happy to be able to view your songs! You are talented in so many ways-and I’m so proud of you!! Love ya, big brother!!

    Wow! So impressed and happy to be able to view your songs! You are talented in so many ways-and I’m so proud of you!! Love ya, big brother!!

  • Benny Lee
    Benny Lee Seattle
    Inspiring to witness the evolution of your musical empire. You deserve whatever success comes your way, JD.

    Inspiring to witness the evolution of your musical empire. You deserve whatever success comes your way, JD.

  • Deb Seymour
    Deb Seymour Seattle
    Each time I come back to this site, it looks better and better and better: very rich, like a multi-layered chocolate torte Looking forward to your Monday live acoustic series:-)

    Each time I come back to this site, it looks better and better and better: very rich, like a multi-layered chocolate torte Looking forward to your Monday live acoustic series:-)

  • Nancy
    Nancy WA
    Fun to learn about you today. Nice voice!

    Fun to learn about you today. Nice voice!

  • Paul Kent
    Paul Kent Issaquah
    no grass grows under your feet, Jim. Retirement from the corporate world was the entry to an active chapter; very enjoyable to follow and listen.

    no grass grows under your feet, Jim. Retirement from the corporate world was the entry to an active chapter; very enjoyable to follow and listen.

  • joni
    joni Houston, Mo.
    Hey there cuz! This is really nice! You are so talented! Love ya!

    Hey there cuz! This is really nice! You are so talented! Love ya!

Contact

 For bookings, licensing, sync placement and songwriting projects, contact JD at: jdcottonmusic@gmail.com