The Cambridge, Ontario native lives in downtown Toronto amid a small mountain of musical instruments. "I have a pretty strange collection of instruments that I've borrowed, bought or that people have given to me as gifts. Right now, besides guitars, bass, drums and keyboards, I've got an autoharp, a theremin, a vibraphone, and a whole bunch of other strange little toys like mini steel drums, a melodica, toy pianos and stuff like that."
"I took guitar, piano and drum lessons but I never became a virtuoso or anything like that," he explains. "My older brothers would play Nirvana and Rage Against the Machine while I would jump on the bed beside them. When they went away to school, I inherited their instruments and started writing and recording my own songs."
Crosby's early songwriting efforts caught the ear of Toronto Sun music critic Darryl Sterdan. "Initially, the music I would record with my friends was this kind of grand-scale lo-fi stuff that was kind of funny and good-hearted. The first song my friend Andrew and I ever recorded was a cover of 'Monster Mash,' if that gives you an idea," explains Crosby.
"We had a recording project called Logs in high school, and we made this epic indie pop song called 'Fishstick Mountain' about a sailor who gets stranded on a floating garbage island and then befriends a monkey. I sent it to the Toronto Sun to get reviewed in this column called 'Garage Band Idol' and they actually liked it." Sterdan praised Logs' "dreamy, spaced-out flights of psychedelic noodling (think Flaming Lips meets Polyphonic Spree)."
Crosby continued to produce music while studying at the University of Ottawa. "I was living alone in Ottawa studying English literature and I had a solo project called Garbagio," he explains. "Those songs are a bit darker, but still pretty much lo-fi style pop tunes. I would send them to my friends who were all far away at the time. They sound pretty crummy, quality-wise, but I tried to make them catchy and fun. I was really influenced by Ariel Pink at that time and the whole DIY/bedroom rock thing."
When asked to elaborate on his musical influences, Crosby rattles off a list of over 35 favourite artists "in no particular order." It's a rambling and diverse list that includes Iggy Pop, Katy Perry, John Maus and Dolly Parton. "My musical influences change all the time and I can usually find some element I like in most songs. But I'm usually drawn to music with some kind of pop-y melodic element, like some kind of singable quality."
After leaving Ottawa, Crosby studied audio engineering at Toronto's venerable Harris Institute. "My new material is still home-recorded, but I've learned how to do things in a less haphazard way," he explains.
"O.T.O.T.W." is Crosby's first single released under his real name, James Wyatt Crosby.
"I had an early version of this song that sounded too much like James Taylor – super slow and acoustic – so I added drums and sped it up. I used a mix of real recorded drums and electronic drum samples because I felt the real drums gave it some feel and character, and the electronic drums helped make the drums clearer and punchier," he explains. "There's also an autoharp in the recording which has a really sweet strummy sound and glues the whole song together," he adds.
Most of the song's effects were intentionally printed to tape during the initial recording, adding an indelible atmospheric wash to the mix. Production-wise, it's a calculated risk that pays off. Crosby also pitched the song's vocals up, adding a sweet, dreamy edge to the track. "I sometimes like changing the pitch of a song because it lets me hear my voice in a different way. I can listen in a slightly more objective way and get new ideas."
Crosby's lyrics, delivered over a happy melody and lush dreampop arrangements, take a gloomy turn as the song drifts back and forth between bliss and melancholy.
"I wanted to make a song that explains the feeling of being in a really good place while knowing that it's fleeting and things will ultimately change," explains Crosby. "I was listening to The Smiths and Talking Heads a lot when I was writing and recording it. I feel those bands do a good job of making songs that are simultaneously happy and sad, and that's kind of what I was going for."
"O.T.O.T.W." by James Wyatt Crosby is available on June 8, 2015 on iTunes, Bandcamp, Spotify, Rdio and more. Visit: maisonneuvemusic.com
Deep In Yr Mind
James Wyatt Crosby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said I'm sorry but I'm just a stupid kid
And if you wanted to I would be good to you
I'd tell you baby there ain't nothing that I wouldn't do
But if the answer's no then I'd be on my way
I think about you every second, every single day
But I guess there are certain things we can't afford to know
I guess there are certain places we just can't afford to go
Oh oh
But if you ever wanted, I'll be around
If ever you're lost, you know I can be found
I know of the places, the ones that you hide
I know what you're thinking deep in your mind
Deep in your mind
Do you methologize all of the time you spent?
Not doing anything oh how the time it went
Alone in solitude until the day is done
A sliver of the moon beside a setting sun
And if you're not alone, maybe you found a friend
Someone to lift you up back to yourself again
If so then good for you, I guess your job is done
The war is over now, your battle fought and won
But if you ever wanted, I'll be around
If ever you're lost, you know I can be found
I know of the places, the ones that you hide
I know what you're thinking deep in your mind
Deep in your mind
The lyrics of Deep In Yr Mind by James Wyatt Crosby depict the struggle of an individual to move on from a past relationship. The singer apologizes for his wrongdoings in the past, hoping for another chance at love. He acknowledges that he might have hurt the person he loves, but he pleads for forgiveness and promises to be good to her. However, he also understands that some things in life are beyond our control, and some places are not meant to be explored. He accepts that some mysteries are better left unsolved, and some secrets are not meant to be revealed.
The chorus of the song is the singer's way of telling the person he loves that he will always be there for her. He knows that she has been through a lot, and he is willing to be her support system whenever she needs him. He knows her deepest thoughts, fears, and desires, and he will be there to listen whenever she wants to express them.
Overall, Deep In Yr Mind is a beautiful and emotional song that touches upon the complexities of relationships and the power of forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
If I apologize for all the things I did
I'm willing to admit my mistakes and apologize for my wrongdoings.
I said I'm sorry but I'm just a stupid kid
I'm acknowledging that my behavior was immature and foolish and that I'm still learning.
And if you wanted to I would be good to you
I care about you and I'm willing to do anything to make you happy.
I'd tell you baby there ain't nothing that I wouldn't do
I'm trying to express my devotion to you and my willingness to go above and beyond for you.
But if the answer's no then I'd be on my way
I respect your decision and I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do.
I think about you every second, every single day
You're always on my mind and I can't stop thinking about you.
But I guess there are certain things we can't afford to know
There are some things in life that are best left unknown or unanswered.
I guess there are certain places we just can't afford to go
There are some places in life that are too dangerous or off-limits for us to explore.
But if you ever wanted, I'll be around
I'm here for you if you ever need me, regardless of the circumstances.
If ever you're lost, you know I can be found
I'm willing to help you find your way back if you get lost or feel overwhelmed.
I know of the places, the ones that you hide
I understand that you have secrets and private places that you don't share with anyone else.
I know what you're thinking deep in your mind
I'm perceptive and empathetic enough to understand your thoughts and feelings, even the ones you don't express aloud.
Do you methologize all of the time you spent?
Do you reflect on and analyze all the time you've spent in the past?
Not doing anything oh how the time it went
Sometimes we spend time doing nothing in particular, and yet time seems to fly by.
Alone in solitude until the day is done
Spending time alone can be peaceful and meditative, but can also be lonely and isolating.
A sliver of the moon beside a setting sun
This line paints a beautiful visual image of a sunset with the moon in the sky.
And if you're not alone, maybe you found a friend
If you have found someone to share your time with, like a friend, you are not as lonely.
Someone to lift you up back to yourself again
Sometimes we need the support of others to find joy and purpose in life again.
If so then good for you, I guess your job is done
I'm happy for you and your success in finding happiness and support in life.
The war is over now, your battle fought and won
This line signifies the end of a difficult or emotional struggle, with the person emerging victorious and having come out stronger and wiser.
Deep in your mind
This line repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that our innermost thoughts and feelings are complicated and nuanced, and often hidden from others.
Contributed by Adeline S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.