Musician Feature – Jimmy Willden
Jimmy Willden performing at Urban Fare Cafe during October’s Artwalk.
Jimmy Willden
Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. I played around on the piano for several years before I ever picked up my first guitar at age 11. My cousin taught me two chords (G & C) and I immediately was on my way with writing songs. At fourteen, my Dad took me out to my first open mic (at the Executive Surf Club, then Blackbeard’s On the Beach), this being the first time I performed before the public.
When did you first discover your creative talents?
Some of my earliest memories are of me with a make-shift microphone (my Dad made for me), dancing around the house, singing Bruce Springsteen songs. At ten, I became obsessed with the Beach Boys, and would get my cousins together, and arrange original songs, with all of us singing the different vocal parts.
Could you tell us about some of your work?
Music: I’m not sure how to approach this question. On the other side of my music career, I have also been aggressive as a music producer and engineer, working for AMFM Studios, LLC in Austin, Texas for several years, and more recently with Trinity Recording Studio here in Corpus Christi, Texas. I’ve also helped several artists write songs over the years.
Writing: I have written short stories, poetry, and novels (though most of these are unfinished). My main focus in writing is screenplays, having written dozens of them over the years. I have had many of them produced, either by myself or others. One short-screenplay was produced in LA, almost made it into the Sundance Film Festival, and was courted by Showtime as a possible new series.
What inspires you to keep going and how do you keep yourself motivated?
The best way I can answer this question, is telling a story. In 2006, when I was getting ready to go on tour with David Martinez, another local (and amazing) musician/singer/songwriter, I was telling everyone how the music scene in Corpus Christi was a dead-end for singer-songwriters such as us. So we decided to take to the road, and travel the western-half of the United States to find our audience. Now, five years later, I am still in Corpus Christi – but with a different mindset. Now, I want to fight to change the scene. But, what’s even more interesting is it seems that it is already happening. Different events, such as ArtWalk and the Local Flavors show, have really started to introduce Corpus Christi to originality and creativity. I love it. This is my passion now. This is what I want to see happen. And this alone, besides pursuing my career in general, is what inspires me to keep going and to stay motivated.
How would you describe your style?
Acoustic/Folk/Alternative/Rock – That pretty much covers it.
You said, “I’ve played at most of the venues in CC”. Do you have a favorite venue or can you tell me at what venue you received the best overall response or jump-start of your professional career?
I’ve enjoyed playing at Executive Surf Club the most over the years. It was the first place I performed, and every time I get on stage there, I feel more at home than anywhere else. It seems, too, that my performances there are usually my strongest.
You also said, “I toured the western half of the US.” Tell me about your experience with this.
This would be an entire feature unto itself. To be brief, this one-month trek across the western-half of the United States will be an adventure I’ll never forget. We traveled Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California (up the Pacific Coast Highway), where I played Janis Joplin’s piano in San Francisco. We had so many amazing experiences, all condensed into one four-week period, it’s extremely hard to detail it all. We met so many amazing people, played for some awesome crowds, and all the while gaining so much experience professionally, preparing each of us for the years to come. It was self-financed, with help from some well-appreciated donations. It was David Martinez, Hope Cassity, and myself.
Can you tell me about the song that made it into the soundtrack for a popular MTV show?
The song that was featured on the MTV Show ‘Next’, was called ‘Falter.’ They found me on an internet radio station where I was featured after the tour.
I understand you are a writer as well as a musician, can you tell me more about your writing? What kind of songs do you write?
My songwriting varies with my mood, and where I am at that moment. Experiences put everything you do, and write about, into perspective. For a few months now, I have actually been battling an excessive case of writer’s block. But, I think I’m beginning to overcome it. I wrote my first song in six months last week. It was very personal and therapeutic, exactly what I needed to say to open the floodgates. More songs are beginning to develop now…
You have a writer’s group that meets on a regular basis, can you share with us more about this?
Recently, I have joined forces with Ericka Clay with Corpus Christi Writers, a local writers group that focuses on trade and feedback services. We are open to novelists, poets, bloggers, lyricists, and yes, screenwriters and playwrights. We hold our Meet Ups/Workshops every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. We rotate between local cafes, such as Urban Fare Café, Coffee Waves, and Café Calypso. We are setting up several events and special guests for the coming year.
Where do you see yourself going with all this?
Obviously, I want to find success in some capacity. Will it be as a writer? A performer? A director? A Songwriter? Who knows. Some people have told me over the years to try and focus on one thing, and that if I did that, I’d probably find more success. I tell them, if I ever did that, I wouldn’t be true to myself. I am all of the above.
What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?
I am currently producing a web series called Futurus. It is a post-apocalyptic puzzle-piece mystery, but our focus is more intimate than how it sounds. We want our characters to be human, so it’s more about the small moments, than the big explosions and barren wastelands. Our main character is a nine-year-old girl named Alexia, being played by the brilliant Mackenzie Harvey. We see the world through her perspective, for the most part, as she learns how to survive on her own. I am directing the first two episodes, and then opening it up to other filmmakers, local and Texas-based. My ultimate goal is to put together a collective of talented people to collaborate on this ambitious project.
In what ways are you hoping to expose CC to original music from local artists?
I have several ideas I’m working on to push original music, but I’m not ready to announce anything just yet. But basically, it takes getting more bands to commit to performing more original music, and getting more venues (bars, clubs, etc) to commit to promoting their original acts. Yes, there will always be the need for bands to perform Free Bird and La Bamba, but if more people on both sides strive to focus on original music, rather than who does the most Top 40 covers the best, I really believe there would be a shift. More people would come out to support these acts, and in turn, the venues that host them.
Where can someone like myself go online to see all that is happening in the local music scene?
I have become a big proponent of social-networking. Facebook has really become my go-to stop for finding out what is happening locally, musically and otherwise. There are several local Facebook pages that list many of the local music events happening, such as Joe Hilliard’s 40 Things To Do in Corpus Christi, and Tony Martinez’ TheCrushGirls.
Do you participate in the monthly artwalks? This is where I was able to see you perform the first time, I really liked how I could walk down any street near artwalk and see bands playing music, what are your thoughts on this?
My band, The Outtakes, plays at Urban Fare Café (425 William St.) every ArtWalk from 5:30-9pm. The ArtWalk, for me, is the single best thing happening in Corpus Christi right now. It’s like our own little New Orleans or 6th Street. With attendance growing into the thousands each month, I’m extremely excited to see where this leads. Along with the Corpus Christi First Initiative (including the Marina Market Days and BridgeWalk), ArtWalk has truly become a staple, and is truly bringing the arts and entertainment culture of Corpus into its own.
Any mentors who you look up to here locally or who have been your biggest influences in pursuing your creative career in music and writing?
Ray Summy, Bobby Carter, Fred Jarmon, Jeff DeVillez, and moving outside of Corpus: Michael McNevin and Michael O’Conner.
What is the best advice given to you regarding your dreams as an artist?
Funny enough, Steve Jobs said it best: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
What are the current events you are holding?
I’m currently about to start production on Futurus. Excited about that. I play at Urban Fare Café every Friday, and the band (The Outtakes) plays every first Friday of the month, for Art Walk.
The Corpus Christi Writer’s Group meets every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, at various cafes around town. More shows and events are currently being scheduled, so keep your eyes and ears out.
What would you like to say to the people of CC regarding art and music here in CC?
Don’t be afraid to express yourself. If your passion is playing someone else’s songs, or creating a piece of art that is reminiscent of someone else’s work, fine – I applaud you for at least expressing something. But if you are being called to expose yourself, to really create something original and dynamic, and just solely and uniquely you - please do not hesitate. This city needs you.
To contact Jimmy Willden, you can go to Jimmy Willden Facebook page or go to Reverbnation
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