Jim Allen has spent decades writing about music for publications including Rolling Stone, Billboard, NPR Music, Mojo, Bandcamp Daily, and many others.

He’s also spent decades making music.

In this episode of the Kick & Snare Podcast, Michael Nevins sits down with Jim to explore the intersection of music journalism and songwriting. They discuss how being a journalist affects his creative process and how being a songwriter/musician affects his journalism. They also discuss the making of Jim’s new album, Maybe Things Will Be All Right, and why he still believes in CDs while refusing to release music on Spotify.

Along the way, they dive into power pop, roots rock, songwriting during the pandemic, legendary collaborators, independent music culture, and creating art even when commercial success isn’t the goal.

Listen to Jim Allen’s music: jimallen.bandcamp.com

00:00:00 – Intro

00:00:40 – Meet Jim Allen: Journalist and Musician

00:04:03 – Living Two Creative Lives

00:05:27 – Do Artists Know You’re a Musician Too?

00:06:44 – As a Musician, Do You Listen Differently?

00:09:51 – Does the Critic Inside Your Head Affect Your Songs?

00:11:14 – Reviewing Friends and Musical Ethics

00:12:17 – What It Feels Like to Be Reviewed

00:15:21 – Journalist vs Critic: Why the Difference Matters

00:21:21 – Tom Petty, Full Moon Fever, and Bad Predictions

00:23:02 – Introducing the New Album

00:26:09 – Pandemic Songwriting and the Weekly Songwriters Group

00:29:48 – The Core Band and Trusted Collaborators

00:30:43 – Recording the Album Live in the Studio

00:35:30 – Suzanne Vega, Synthesizers, and Musical Heroes

00:39:30 – Special Guests on the Record

00:44:06 – Peter Holsapple and the Title Track

00:46:18 – Psychedelia, Electronics, and Dream Collaborations

00:50:29 – The Story Behind The Title Track: “Maybe Things Will Be All Right”

00:55:48 – Maybe Things Will Be Alright – Lyric Video

00:58:42 – Song Spotlight: “Underground”

01:01:31 – The Reality of Releasing Independent Music Today

01:03:48 – Why It’s Harder Than Ever to Get Attention

01:06:20 – Questions Michael Didn’t Ask

01:07:24 – Why Jim Refuses Spotify

01:08:42 – Album Release Show and Live Dates

01:10:35 – Where to Find Jim Allen’s Music

01:11:06 – Closing Thoughts

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