Vibrations Travel: Jim Becker Interview

Jim Becker tells Gareth Thompson about sharing compassion, putting the ego down and collaborating with Tibetan healer Lama Lobsang Palden

Jim Becker is an admired Chicago musician whose credits include Iron & Wine, Wooden Wand, Bitchin Bajas and the cosmic ambience of Mind Over Mirrors. Along the way Becker has performed and recorded on everything from mandolin and theremin, to E-bow and Indian flute. Some years ago he consulted the Tibetan healer Lama Lobsang Palden, also based in Illinois, for help with certain ailments. Finding an instant rapport, the two decided to make a record based on Buddhist chants, vibrational healing and Becker’s array of instruments. Made from many fragments, the nine pieces on Compassion are rhythmic and mythic, restorative and soulful. Using music as a curative form, Becker and Palden bring enlightenment to our everyday experience.  

Compassion as a title is very pointed. What does the word signify for you?  

Well for one, it was the first piece that the Lama and I recorded. The healing chant that came out of him was “Compassion” and the energy from it set the wheels rollin’. All the songs we recorded started out with the Lama and I playing live together. As for me, I’m always striving to practice and share compassion in a world that lures you from peace. I struggle everyday with it. No matter what cycle of life I’m in, I have to remind myself to honour compassion. Awaken.   

Were the ailments that you sought Lama’s help with mainly mental or physical? 

They were both. There was a slow gas leak in my apartment which I eventually found after I was sick. Also some mold involving a window air conditioner. I don’t know if either had anything to do with the sickness. Regardless, one night I woke up drenched in sweat. I didn’t sleep for three months and ended up in a psychiatric ward. Fifteen days in, they finally found something to put me to sleep. I was suffering from sleep deprivation, massive depression and anxiety. After twenty seven days I was released. I then had a therapist and a psychiatrist. The Lama did massage and healing work on my body, spirit and mind. Between my meds and the Lama’s healing, I started feeling better.  

How did you respond to Lama’s chants with your instruments? 

We never rehearsed. I set up two mics, set levels on a Stereo mic pre-amp, a dash of compression, hit Record and away we went. Our chemistry just meshed together. Half the time I’d start on maybe slide guitar or fretless banjo,  then he would chime in with a drum, gong or chant. 

How much of the instrumental music was recorded at your home studio?  

Initial tracks for all songs were recorded on a Tascam four-track cassette recorder, with the Lama and I playing live. Most of the initial groundwork was done at his home. A couple of newer tracks were recorded in my living room with cornetist Rob Mazurek and the Lama. I transferred the tape audio to ProTools and compiled segments into a sequence to form a record that has a narrative arc. I then did weeks of overdubs with my instruments and other musicians. Rob Frye from Bitchin Bajas came in to play flute. The Lama did one day of vocal overdubs. I basically created a collage out of the whole record. It was like editing a film. I would be pulling overdubs and performances from different songs and they’d splay over tracks they weren’t intended for. Harmonious. Synchronous. 

You’re a good match for Mind Over Mirrors in a mystic and music sense. What’s your role inside the band? 

With some people you feel a musical gel right off by their personal energy or vibration. Jaime Fennelly is one of those folks. We admired each other’s music and set a date to record improvised music with harmonium and violin at his place. Even though it was half an hour long, the work resounded with an arc like a story. So he asked me to play shows and make a couple of records with his project Mind Over Mirrors. We did some touring and it was really fun and inspiring.  

Do you adopt Buddhist disciplines into your daily life?  

Buddhism is probably the closest belief system I aspire to. I try living a peaceful life and believe all beings should be equal and have the right to happiness. I also draw on different stratas of universal beliefs, world religions, mythology, alchemy, astrology, mysticism. I’ve practiced yoga on and off for twenty years, yet still feel like a beginner. But I really am drawn to Buddhism. Balance. The Light and the Dark. The Yin and the Yang. The Lama is from Tibet and all this represents his life’s work. Every time we meet he cracks some joke about how I should take better care of myself, though he never preaches. He has a great sense of humour.   

Is every healing process about overthrowing the ego?  

Like compassion, every day I go through bouts of “put the ego down, man!” The more I set the ego aside, the more a world of gifts is revealed. The ego of myself worrying about basic life hurdles is ridiculous. But it’s innate and we are born with it. It ages you. I say to myself just let it go, don’t worry about this or that, but it’s the ego holding onto it. Eventually stress and worry can bring on illnesses of various magnitudes. And so to healing. Meditation, yoga. Make an effort at a better diet. Balance. Buddhist beliefs. Yeah. 

Across various records you’ve played fifteen different instruments. On how many of these were you self-taught? 

Most are self-taught. My first instrument was a Kay classical guitar, given by my parents in 1975 when I was ten. It came with a Mel Bay chord book. In junior and senior school years, I learned from my friends’ older brothers and took guitar lessons. I’ve been dabbling on a bunch of instruments for forty five years. Other than that, when you have so many musicians around, you learn a lot throughout the years. Speaking of meditation, I’ve always been able to sit for hours and practice instruments. Beautiful form of meditation. The vibrations from instruments travel like waves through our bodies. 

Buddhism and psychedelia both aspire to liberating the mind. Were the latter’s ideals tainted by its alliance with drug culture? 

Well, this comes back to balance. In 1975 my neighbourhood was infested with Columbian Gold marijuana. It was there for purchase in school. I’ve done tonnes of drugs over the years, but have always been careful, or should I say careful enough. I’ve kept it to moderate use, probably thanks to some angels lookin’ after me. These days my drugs are coffee, wine and an occasional beer. I’ve done Native American Peyote ceremonies for spiritual growth. Ceremonies to knock down negative impulses and behaviors that rule your life. I’ve also experienced Huachuma (San Pedro Mescaline) ceremonies. Absolutely beautiful! Then there’s balance. Sobriety is the inborn way that we are all created. So I tell people, students… yeah I’ve done this and that, but you don’t need those substances to make you a better artist or musician. Clean vessel. 

‘Compassion’ or ‘Ohnedaruth’ was John Coltrane’s spiritual name. Have you considered taking such an identity? 

No, I haven’t. But I love that question. I’m a huge fan of John Coltrane. For the time being my ego won’t let that happen. I don’t feel inclined to do so.  

Lama Lobsang Palden & Jim Becker at Drag City

Lama Lobsang Palden & Jim Becker Bandcamp

Credit: photograph by Izida Valatka