Today we’d like to introduce you to James Morse.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m a young artist, most often a writer, though in various forms.
James of Mosaics is a concept I’ve been developing for five years starting at an old Wurlitzer piano in my parents’ home, to the late night demo sessions in the Couch Building and its stairwells in West Campus at Georgia Tech, writing with a ukulele in Barcelona, Spain, wandering the neighborhoods of the city of Atlanta and exploring its decrepit beauty, working in the field of Architecture, and most recently entering into a lifelong relationship with my best friend, Sydney.
Has it been a smooth road?
I’m still trying to pursue art full-time, and it’s honestly a struggle every day to keep myself centered.
I think one of the biggest lessons I’ve had to learn during the past few years is how to live in a sustainable way while also doing what I love -making sure I take time for self-care and rest, taking on concepts and projects that are not too ambitious, and staying connected to the people I love and care about. I’ve found such meaning in the path of being an artist, though I’m not sure I can say I’ve arrived.
It’s hard to put into words the sorts of challenges I’ve experienced, during the past few years most especially. Throughout this entire process, I have engaged with an intense struggle for integrity, that is to say, I recognize my desire for a oneness in my soul and with other souls I meet throughout the years, and I passionately try to realize a oneness of disparate elements, whether it be materials in my art or immaterial fragments of my conscious experience. Yet, I notice many interior movements within my mind and heart as well as exterior movements in society that are constantly trying to disrupt this unity. In my song ‘Treehouse’, I’ve tried to express these observations and thoughts through music and words.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
James of Mosaics is essentially a non-profit creative platform for expression of dynamic art, and in the current case, the fields of writing, recording, producing, and performance.
I’m the writer, director, producer, and manager for the project, so I wear many different hats, but in this day and age of the indie artist, I’m doing what I can to make this a successful long-term venture. I try to focus on writing and conceptual development, but like I said, I often have to organize shows and promote content. My wife, Sydney, also contributes to production, graphics, and management.
I’m most proud of how we’ve been able to make two relatively professional albums worth of material and content with limited resources and financial backing. I’ve been truly blessed by the folks I’ve worked with along the way. They’ve helped me grow a lot as a person, and as an artist in training.
I think the aspect that sets James of Mosaics apart is our blend of social consciousness with a relentless commitment to a contemplative, refined aesthetic. These two interests often seem to be headed in different directions, but it’s our hope to search for reconciliation.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think Atlanta is a really interesting place to start out making things as an artist. It’s kind of strange in that it’s such a new city, relatively speaking, but it does have a rich history and material culture. To make art, I think one needs strong references and tradition to build on, question, and learn from as well as progressive currents that connect him or her with the world at large. Atlanta definitely has both of these. I’m proud to say that I’ve lived and worked in Atlanta. That being said, I don’t think I’m alone in saying that the automobile culture has drastically affected Atlanta lifestyles. This has good and bad effects, but I think Atlanta is in need of ways to connect people from varying communities and neighborhoods. It can be easy to settle into a place that’s comfortable and think that the whole world looks and feels like the immediate experience.
Pricing:
- $7-10 + shipping for a CD
- $8-15 to see a show
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jamesofmosaics.com
- Email: jamesofmosaics@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james.of.mosaics.music/, https://www.instagram.com/james.of.mosaics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesofmosaics/
- Other: https://jamesofmosaics.bandcamp.com/
Image Credit:
Frank Lee for photos at the Bridge to Nowhere, Sydney Morse for the photo at Oakland Cemetery, and Nate Conn for the photo at Eddie’s Attic
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
