Marc James Band Background
Marc James & Bobby BoDean
by Marc James, Lead Singer & Songwriter
…The Marc James Band songwriting team consists of Bobby and me, a duo by design and on purpose. It’s kind of ironic; we have such different tastes in music that we listen to in our leisure. Bobby is a big fan of 2 or 3 mid-size groups, not super groups or big names, just a style that appeals directly to him. I on the other hand make up and burn CD’s of all the songs on the Billboard Top 100 and other music charts. I always feel like I’m listening to the biggest and best artists from all genre’ of music.
Bobby is very intelligent, witty and original, when we record our material; it’s amazing how we as musicians “blend” to make up the Marc James band sound. Bobby hears things, mentions it, the idea is incorporated and experimental versions are then applied to the song. It sounds more complicated than it is, 9 times out of 10 the ideas and main effect and dialogue to a song James composes chord structures and rhythms we then start from square one, and add various instruments, trial and error.
After a song is recorded and brought into existence, and close to its finish, a few select and trusted people are gathered to listen to and assess each song. Girlfriends, friends, all of which brings James full circle to criticism and truth, thank God our friends are forgiving, I’ve layed some God awful stuff on them from time to time. But not lately, the new CD is attracting a lot of positive attention.
The Recording Room –
Usually the sessions are vibrant and positive. Bobby and I know “the look” when a song is coming together. Bobby’s performances on bass are always there. He’s a very talented vocal producer, and a guitarist with a unique and vibrant style. There’s a lot of excitement when a song is going well, everybody feels it. Not always, but sometimes, there is a small group of engineers and helpers in the studio in which the songs are being recorded, and everyone is really “into it.”
On the other hand, there are songs with difficult passages and just plain old bad days, when we are required to record and perform but it just does not go well at all! The solution…? Everyone leaves except us. I run sound, recorder, microphone placement and help to oversee the production. With the lights down low and in a darkened environment, Bobby usually blasts out the much needed bass part or guitar riff.
We both have a tremendous amount of respect for each other and are great friends on “mike” and in our personal lives. We’re looking forward to releasing new projects soon!