Jim Shorts has put the final touches on their prolific Bandcamp discography with the farewell LP Late To The Feast. The moniker of voracious songwriter and guitarist David Haynes, and a rotating cast of bandmates, the group has put out 47 releases over the last decade. Haynes tells us that he has spent the period writing constantly to hone his craft, explaining, “There have been few days in the past decade that I have not been scribbling in a notebook.”
Late To The Feast will be the project’s final release, and it finds them going out at the top of their game. Haynes’ songwriting is effortless as he turns everyday observations into a cause for joy or surprise, as on the Pavement like cut “Out on the Patio,” where he sings:
“Let’s replace the water with wine, who cares if it’s only Tuesday night/Make a mess of the kitchen sink/Try hard to let it go…”
Live Eye TV recently chatted with David via email to discuss his 10 years as Jim Shorts, as well as his newest but final LP under the moniker, Late to the Feast. While he admits conditions under COVID have impacted the decision to move on from the project, it’s also obvious he’s merely plotting his next stand. Check out the interview after Bandcamp embed below…
So this is your last release as Jim Shorts correct? Tell us more about what the project has meant to you over the past decade or so, it must hold a special place in your heart.
DH: Yes, this is the last Jim Shorts release. It’s been very difficult to sum up my thoughts on Jim Shorts in any organized way. When I think back, I see it as a period of ten years spent studying songwriting. I wrote constantly – in classes, at work, late at night, early in the morning. There have been few days in the past decade that I have not been scribbling in a notebook. I think I’ve finally gotten to a place where I’m satisfied with my songwriting, and that’s a cool place to be.
There are so many special moments from the past decade with Jim Shorts. The two tours we did in 2019 are probably among the best moments. I’m endlessly grateful to all the friends and amazingly talented people that helped me record and play these songs.
-You’ve put out upwards of 4 dozen releases with this project. What was the decision to put the finishing touches on your Jim Shorts discography and move on?
DH: It was kind of a perfect storm. I’m sort of an all or nothing type person, and I could tell my interest for indie rock was starting to wane in the Spring of 2019. I got really excited about making Late to the Feast though, and Mike and Robbie were truly so incredible to play music and hang out with in a mini van for a month. That great Summer 2019 tour energy kept me going for a while. When COVID-19 hit, I realized that I probably wasn’t going to be touring for a little while. With my waning interest in indie rock and the chance to take a break from the touring/album release cycle, I just kind of decided now would be a good time to end this chapter.
-“Late To The Feast” is a fantastic record, and a great cherry on top for the Jim Shorts story. Any stories you’d like to relate about the headspace going into making this one, or the recording process itself?
DH: I started writing the songs for this record when I first moved up to Maryland in 2017. Some new friends joined the band, and I wanted to write with them in mind. Mike Barth is an insanely talented drummer, and so I wanted to write some songs that he could really showcase his skill (see the “drum solo” in “Here’s”). As with all Jim Shorts records, the recording process was extremely rushed. We did everything in about 5 or 6 days. We had played about 20 shows by the time we got into the studio, so the songs just came together really quickly. Watching Mike lay down the drum parts was very very inspiring. I remember the rest of us sitting in the control room yelling “holy shit” as he played. That was a time to be alive, I’ll tell ya.
-Lead off track “Out On The Patio” is one of our favorites, we also really like “Angel Songs” and “Max’s Front Porch”. There are some cool influences from bands like Dinosaur Jr., Guided By Voices, even Husker Du and Bob Mould at times. Where do you draw your creative mojo from?
DH: In between Halo Repair and Feast, I got really into Bruce Springsteen. I really like the scale of his songs – they feel huge and weighty. I was really trying to replicate that energy on this new record. Not necessarily in terms of style, but just in terms of the sincerity of Springsteen’s writing. He’s always got his heart on his sleeve.
I also got back into Pavement again while I was writing. “Modelos on the Beach” and “Here’s” were kind of an attempt to capture that laid-back vibe. Specifically, I remember writing “Here’s” as if it was a b-side to Wowee Zowee.
I think there’s a sweet spot between earnest and carefree. Feast was my attempt at trying to find it.
-Your songwriting has a real apparent craft to it, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll be seeing from you as a musician. What are you optimistic about going into this next phase of your career, and are there any inklings in the works as to what will come next?
DH: Thank you! I really appreciate that. After 10 years, I think I’ve finally found my voice. I am always writing, so there’s bound to be new songs. Right now, I’m all over the place. I’m taking my time writing, spending days just humming the same part over and over. Patience in writing is new to me, as Jim Shorts songs came together really fast usually. I’m staying up all hours of the night just plotting my return. What about putting a band together and doing a live, one of a kind 90 minute performance on film? What about releasing a dozen singles (one a month) in the new year? By the time it’s safe to travel and get busy again, I should have some songs that I’m really proud of and ready to share!
