Jim Boggia reveals more of his craft, part 2

A few days ago, I posted part 1 of an interview with Philly-based Jim Boggia, one of the best singer/songwriter/producers I’ve uncovered in the last few years. I say “uncovered” not “discovered” — because a lot of his fans have been way ahead of me on that front. But playing catch up has been so much fun! And he’s a great guy to correspond with, too.

This all came about when I stumbled on his August 2008 release, Misadventures in Stereo. This album should be on everyone’s iPod. And if Jim had his preferences, he’d have us pick it up on vinyl (yes, it’s available!) and spin our way to musical happiness. So take your pick — but (as I’ve said before) — get this album!

And now — after you see our man in action on his YouTube site — you can read part 2 of my email-mediated interview. You’ll see that he’s got some exciting plans for the near future and, who knows, maybe a roadie position will open up for you.

Jim Boggia reveals some of his craft, part I

You may all remember a particularly unctuous post a month or two back when I reviewed Jim Boggia’s Misadventures in Stereo. In my defense, doesn’t the name of this blog at least hint that I might tend to gush a little from time to time?

Well, the spell hasn’t lifted. I still listen to Jim’s latest album all the time. At the risk of showing up on some stalker website, I badgered Jim with requests for an interview and, despite his better instincts, he has finally complied. Today, I give you part one of my Q&A with Jim. By the way — get this album!

Jim Boggia — Misadventures in Stereo a rare blessing

I know this is Andy’s territory — tracking power pop masters from album to album and marveling at their almost genius ability to leverage a mind-boggling fluency in the language of pop (from unusual instruments to chord progressions to seminal guitar solos) and then create impossibly layered tracks that directly connect with generations of audio junkies, opening secret doors to our memories and plumbing the innermost chambers of our hearts. I’ve also staked out my own territory on this blog, summed up by: “It’s the song, not the arrangement.” (Aren’t you glad that second sentence was shorter? Whew!)

Boggia's love of pop is life-long and he puts every ounce of it in his music.

So, imagine my cognitive dissonance when I’m introduced (several years late, it seems) to an artist who not only handles the whole power pop schtick with panache but also crafts gem-like, beautiful songs that would grab your gut if he just showed up at the charmingly grungy coffee house on the corner and started strumming and singing. The artist is Jim Boggia and he’s just released his third album, Misadventures in Stereo.