Music Q&A with James MacPherson of Bonsai Trees & James MacPherson
Photo by Alex S.K. Brown
Last Friday, indie rock band, Bonsai Trees featuring James MacPherson, released their brand-new EP, MINE! Bonsai Trees -- lead by vocalist James MacPherson (they/them), recently took some time to answer questions about the EP, the best advice a musician has given them, and more!
Congratulations on the release of MINE! What does the EP mean to you?
This is a collection of songs about learning how to stop being a chronic people pleaser, taking back the power for yourself and being proud of being yourself.
What’s your favorite song off the EP?
My favorite is “About That”, which contains the title line in its lyrics. I love combining elements from the 60s and 90s music I listen to and creating something uniquely in between. This song is about when you’ve given someone your whole heart and you have to take it back.
What instrument do you not play that you hope to learn someday?
I kind of do play them, but the drums have been this big daunting (but also extremely fun) task for a few years now. I feel like it’s the only instrument I’m not quite confident in tracking yet.
I played everything besides drums on this record, hopefully on the next one I’ll play some drums.
What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
THE RESTS BETWEEN THE NOTES ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE NOTES.
We all have our days where it may not be going as well as we’d like. People deal with their worst days in different ways. What helps you get through the bad days? How do you stay positive?
There’s a lot to be said for putting your emotions into art, channeling your feelings into something that you enjoy is very therapeutic. I find that often I write a lot of songs and don’t even release them because I just needed to get that feeling out of my system. It helps me have an open line of communication with my own thoughts and I think that’s very important.
Thank you for taking the time for this Q&A. Any last words or final message for the readers?
Go to therapy.