Jim Ward is an inspiring guy. In fact, right now I wish I was a bit more like Jim Ward. He’s not afraid to tackle big endeavors, sees no reason why a person should do just one thing with their life, and even manages to make multi-tasking seem enviable.
[Photo by Tim Valencia]
Only in his mid-thirties, Ward has already spearheaded three successful bands (At the Drive In, Sleepercar, and Sparta), started a recording studio and label, opened two bars in his hometown of El Paso, Texas, and most recently, issued a compilation of solo material called Quiet In The Valley, On The Shores The End Begins & The Electric Six comprised of three previously released EPs and a bonus EP of six electric takes on existing tunes.
On the heels of the recent solo release, we caught up with Ward to chat about the new music project, only to find out he’s already thinking about what’s next. The newly-opened bar/venue Tricky Falls just kicked off its grand opening in September with Bright Eyes performing, and the venue will play host to the reunion of Ward’s own Sparta on November 14 – their first show in over three years. Clearly, there’s no lack of creative energy here. Anyone can come up with ideas; it’s turning those ideas into something that’s the challenge. In a sense, Jim Ward serves as a role model of somebody who not only has the big ideas, but who also executes on them.
Hidden Track: It seems like you have a real entrepreneurial spirit. How do you juggle all of your different projects from the bands and the recording studio to your bar and keep up the energy for everything?
Jim Ward: I have a good group of people around me – from the band members to some solid partners at the bars and studio who keep it floating while I am off doing something else. Without them I would be nothing, that is for sure.
HT: Both your history in your previous bands and the latest release of the three EPs make for bit of a chronological timeline of your music and essentially your life. Was there an evolution in terms of how you write and play that reflects where you’ve been at in your life, or has it been more the case of just wanting to try different things?
JW: It is probably more of a case of ADD, needing to move off in a different direction every now and then. The writing comes as it comes. It evolves with me I guess. I will continue and grow and the writing will follow. I just try to make sure I don’t repeat myself, that’s the goal – to grow and not regress.
JW: How did the collaboration with Tegan come about for Broken Songs?
JW: We met at a festival in Europe a few years back and kept in touch, we have a lot in common and I wrote the song with her in mind. I was stoked she agreed to sing it. It meant the world.
HT: While a lot of the material on your solo release is acoustic, I noticed some cool effects like reverb, delays and loops. Having played in different of styles of bands and having your own recording studio, I imagine you’ve played a million stomp boxes. What would you say are some of your favorite pedals ever made?
JW: About a year ago the Sleepercar trailer was stolen and I lost 2 of my absolute favorites – a vintage BOSS DM-3 which is my favorite delay ever, and my Klon overdrive which is a small company and a fantastic pedal that Jerry Finn turned me onto – I miss both…a lot.
HT: With the foray into more acoustic, singer-songwriter music, how have your punk fans responded from Sparta and At the Drive-In? Have they been pretty supportive of the direction?
JW: A lot have been very supportive. A lot of the fans have grown up with me as I started so young so I think there are a good amount of folks that are in the same mind set I am. I think that our fans from all the projects over the years are really open minded and cool, so they seem to at least give stuff a chance.
HT: Speaking of Sparta, you have a big day coming up with the opening of your new El Paso venue Tricky Falls which will play host to the first show with the band in several years. Is that the next project on the horizon to get back to playing with them and working on some new material?
JW: Indeed, we are excited to get back to work, there are a couple songs already in the pipeline and we are all excited to get down to some good rock and roll.
HT: Lastly, I know you enjoy writing as well, having written a lot on your website and a weekly in El Paso. Is something you want to pursue more in the future, perhaps take a crack at writing a book or a project like that?
JW: I think my very small amount of amateur writing is good enough for me. I don’t think I have the skills to go much further, maybe with some proper training or a great editor I could take a crack at some sort of book at some point, but it would have to be a well thought out and long project.
