In the fall of 2020, while still grounded from his rising music career by the pandemic, Jimbo Scott found himself following his infant son, Ollie, around the house. Ollie had just learned to crawl and took himself on endless adventures exploring the ins and outs of the house. As Jimbo walked behind him, he plucked a guitar and tinkered with new song ideas. It is from this combination of youthful adventure and parental reflection that gave birth to Jimbo’s newest release, Who We Are.
Starting with a fun fingerstyle guitar riff, “Who We Are” strikes a quiet and contemplative tone. The lyrics, project hopeful scenes of a father and son, their hopes for adventure and their connection to the past. The chorus, “These songs aren’t just lyrics. These songs are who we are” recalls that songs not only come from tradition but are in and of themselves a tradition In writing this song with his infant son, Jimbo is sharing his traditions with his family and now his wider audience.
Engineered and mastered by Ben Bernstein, the song features performances by Ben Andrews (The Stone Foxes, Poor Man’s Whiskey, Hot Buttered Rum) on violin, Dave Pascoe (Late for the Train) on mandolin and Andy Merril (Risky Biscuits) on upright bass.
The song is delicate and affirming, a song of contentment and hope to carry us through these tumultuous times.
Tell us about the first song you wrote.
All I remember about it is that I was incredibly excited about it and wanted to share it with anyone that would listen. This was before I had any way to record at home, so I would have to lug a guitar around with me and play. The truth is, it was terrible. I made an E-chord and slid it up and down the first 3 frets of the guitar and sang some kind of brooding lyrics over it that oozed teen-aged angst and did not actually have much to say. But it was mine and, while I don’t recall much else about it, it set me off on a wonderful adventure.
Do you have any songwriting tips you can share?
Make time for writing and then do it regularly. Even if that means you are writing ‘bad’ songs (a subjective term) that is all practice towards when you will write ‘good’ or even ‘great’ songs. Do this enough and you will be able to even draw on things you have done before. Also find people to share songs with. I have good friends whom I send voice memos to whenever I write a song just to hear their thoughts on it. I have participated in some really wonderful songwriting groups where I got useful feedback. But make sure that the people you are sharing your songs with are going to give you honest feedback. If all you ever hear is ‘you’re so great’, you’re probably not going to progress the way you want to.
What have you missed about touring?
I have truly missed the people. I am a poster-child of extroversion and I love making friends. When I am on the road, I love discovering new places and new people. During the early shut downs I was doing live-stream shows but after a few months I had to stop. I found it so impersonal and draining. I was terrified that people would forget me, but it became a matter of tending to my own wellbeing. I am pleased to say that my fan base has welcomed me back into the world of in-person shows. I have come to realize that what I missed about playing in person are the subtle, and not-so-subtle, interactions I have with a live audience. It’s about the little giggle from someone who caught a playful lyric, or the banter with a heckler who is throwing the right dose of chaos into the show or the folks dancing and losing themselves to the moment. Yes I love music, but I think I love the connection more.
How are you using your platform to support marginalized people?
I have tried to use my music as a means by which to raise funds for various causes over the years. Most recently I performed at a fundraiser for the Alameda County Food Bank. When I was live-streaming in 2020, all of my shows were designed as fundraisers for Bay Area organizations that were addressing some sort of pandemic related issue (food, housing, etc.). A few years ago, I included my song, Live Free, on a compilation to raise funds for families separated at the border and reunification efforts. I can donate time and I can write songs but sometimes I don’t really feel like any of this is enough, so I am trying to listen and make space for others and new ideas. It would be cool if I could find a way to make a more significant impact.
Have you ever been given something remarkable by a fan?
A few years back a fan came to my show and said “Come outside. I have something for you in my trunk.” When I got to his car, he pulled out 3 boxes filled with original press editions of Rolling Stone Magazine, starting with issue #2. He told me his kids had found them at his house and immediately sold issue 1 on Ebay. He decided he wanted to give the rest “to someone who would appreciate them for what they are”. I don’t care if they are worth any money – and truthfully I doubt they are, based on my extensive research on Pawn Stars and American Pickers. But I don’t care about that. They are fucking cool. I enjoy reading one from time to time and I have since stored them carefully in a cool dark place… If my kids get excited about the music of the 60’s, it will be a great way to share a piece of that history with them.