I've gotten the mixes for all 12 songs very close to final. Talking to a violinist to track on a couple songs, but I can begin mastering the other tracks.
A Songwriter's Blog
The "Next" Album
I'm always working on the “next” album. Having a creative thing to look forward to inspires me. Each new one is always feels like it going to be my best, always reflecting what I've learned in how to tell a story, or share an event, communicate an emotion. The current next one is tentatively entitled, “Folk Medicine”, though it's not really about medicine so I might change that. I have whittled the number of songs down to 12, and I keep cycling through the list, mixing and remixing, adding and subtracting, trying new things. I'm currently on the last one, “Dear John”, which is about my high school art teacher whom I thought the world of.
Music
"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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My Best Face 3:280:00/3:28
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The Faraday Cage 6:240:00/6:24
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Saturated 4:180:00/4:18
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0:00/2:44
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Good Medicine 3:190:00/3:19
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Praying For Rain 4:130:00/4:13
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0:00/3:12
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That's War 4:210:00/4:21
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There Is A Bridge 3:360:00/3:36
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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Cold Crows 4:460:00/4:46
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The New Normal 3:200:00/3:20
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Skinny 3:480:00/3:48
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0:00/3:39
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These Ancient Times 3:210:00/3:21
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One World 3:480:00/3:48
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Signs 3:340:00/3:34
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The Final Commute 2:250:00/2:25
"Light" examines our evolution forward as humans, and our ties to the past and one another.
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Cactus Garden 3:450:00/3:45
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Light 4:090:00/4:09
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Drone 5:350:00/5:35
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0:00/2:54
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Gorilla 4:140:00/4:14
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Healing Hands 4:280:00/4:28
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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Songs 3:370:00/3:37
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0:00/5:01
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As Bad As You 3:570:00/3:57
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Tiny Houses 4:260:00/4:26
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Insomnia 5:220:00/5:22
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Song for Everyone 3:530:00/3:53
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Faces on the Wall 3:350:00/3:35
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This Line 4:010:00/4:01
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Tongue-Tied 3:030:00/3:03
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0:00/4:28
Well, it's kind of a mix, but mostly reflects things that have happened in the last few months.
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0:00/1:46
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Burnin' Breeze 3:360:00/3:36
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Just Cause 4:120:00/4:12
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Go, Go, Go 3:320:00/3:32
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Yason’s Lullaby 2:590:00/2:59
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0:00/4:06
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Information, Please 3:390:00/3:39
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These Three Things 4:240:00/4:24
Recollections is a record about growing up, small-town, in the American Midwest.
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Sweet Freedom 4:060:00/4:06
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Flying Machine 4:030:00/4:03
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0:00/4:08
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Laughter of a Child 3:040:00/3:04
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0:00/3:20
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0:00/4:00
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 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.
I stayed two weeks. Saw dad through to the end. This song is dedicated to him.
The causes of conflict are many, but the impacts are always the same.
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.
What started as a rhyming game turned into a fun tune about the great state of Texas!
Calendar
52nd Annual Northwest Folklife Festival
(PDT, UTC-07) (PDT, UTC-07)
Seattle Center, Folklife, “Gate 2 Welcome Stage”, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA
The annual Northwest Folklife Festival is a community-powered celebration of the arts, culture, and heritage that make up the brilliant cultural tapestry of the greater Pacific Northwest. Prior to 2020, over 6,000 artists and culture-bearers brought cultural expressions to audiences across 25 stages alongside 200 food and craft vendors and 500 volunteers annually. Since 1972, the Northwest Folklife Festival has gathered upwards of 250,000 participants at Seattle Center during Memorial Day weekend. The festival has been proudly powered by donations for over 50 years. This year's festival will take place May 26-29, 2023. No entry fee.
Sigillo Cellars
(PDT, UTC-07) (PDT, UTC-07)
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. JD has several albums released and is always writing the next.
Contact
For bookings, licensing, sync placement and songwriting projects, contact JD at: jdcottonmusic@gmail.com