Originally Published: 2003-09-21

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The gap between records came for a good reason. "The first record got a second life in the U.K. I visited there three times, spending over six months there. England really has a thing for people that write songs right now. You go over and they sit perfectly quiet and listen to every word you say. It makes you very aware of every lyric you write!"
Fortunately, his words can stand the scrutiny. Bryson's songs are often introspective and melancholy, and he views them as "a way to document feelings. It is interesting over a period of time to watch how you evolve and how you view things. It is like letters from ex-girlfriends. Writing songs mean you won't lose it in the move! Listening to the first record, there is that overall brooding, negative, complaining thing. That is something I'm trying to work at in my life. Some of these new songs seem more outward. I call them the bridge between my past, my present and my future."
As well as concentrating on his own music, Jim worked quite extensively as guitarist for Ottawa alt-country siren Kathleen Edwards. Her recent rise to major prominence delights him.
"There is something about her music that just strikes a chord. I couldn't be happier for her. We stay very much in touch and she has been a real big booster of my work. It is a mutual respect thing."
Does he covet that degree of success? "I would welcome and fear it, but I don't think it will ever happen. I'd always be more comfortable having a big following in a place like England, and be rather anonymous here, to almost live a double life."

The North Side Benches is out on The Orange Record Label/Universal. Jim Bryson plays The Horseshoe Tavern on September 20.

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