Daily Discovery: Jim Marunich, “Searching”

HOMETOWN: Akron, Ohio

CURRENT LOCATION: Nashville, Tennessee

AMBITIONS: To dig deeper inside each time I write a song, bringing out stronger truths and emotions that will do, for other people, what so many great songs have done for me. My practical ambition is to build a sustainable career as an artist; getting my music to those who will appreciate it and getting good enough to hold my own among the great songwriters who inspire me.

TURN-OFFS: Music written for the charts. Artists who try to be obscure or quirky for appearance sake–truly eccentric or crazy artists have no idea they’re weird.

TURN-ONS: Unique vocals, tasteful melody, acoustic travis-picking, and unique lyrical themes in songs.

DREAM GIG: Playing the Americana Music Association’s awards show.

FAVORITE LYRIC: “Sometimes a warm bed just ain’t worth the pain” (Townes Van Zandt) / “The waltzing fool keeps the moon in his car, they say he’s been drinking, but he’s just got mud on his shoes” (Lyle Lovett)

SONG I WISH I WROTE: “Dublin Blues” by Guy Clark.

5 PEOPLE I’D MOST LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH: The folks from Bloodshot Records, Jim Lauderdale, Julius Caesar, Bill Monroe, and William Faulkner.

MY FAVORITE CONCERT EXPERIENCE: Lyle Lovett with his big band in Kentucky. He is one of the few performers I’ve seen that really just exceed anything you could have asked for. His voice is so powerful live. I love his live guitar sound. Then, having a 20 piece band makes for quite a show.

I WROTE THIS SONG BECAUSE… I ran out of places to find answers, meaning, and solace from the difficulties and questions of life. I looked for help in philosophy, spirituality, drug and drink, material items, and found interesting things but not the fulfillment deep down. I realized I’ll be searching for a long time, and I guess I really don’t know what it is I’m seeking, but somehow you keep going, keep searching.