Jim E. Brown picks wordless 26-minute Norwegian track, ‘elderly German men,’ and his own music for Ears We Trust

Jim E. Brown is a 19-year-old pop sensation from Manchester, England, but for some reason the internet thinks he’s from Philadelphia. Maybe it’s because he’s spent a good amount of time here: he knows one of our most famous local musicians (and even had a cameo in that artist’s new music video), has eaten plenty of cheesesteaks, appeared on Temple alumni Tim Heidecker’s show, and uncannily resembles a member of defunct local comedy and music collective Shy Boyz.

Rumors aside, he’s a musician with specific tastes who loves playing in Philly — so much so that he’s got three shows in a row at Johnny Brenda’s in September — and we have decided he’s got ears we trust.

Here’s what he chose for this week:

Kraftwerk — “Numbers“

A band comprised of withered, elderly German men. I despise the elderly and I don’t like the visual appearance of their withered flesh but Kraftwerk’s music is quite nice. I like their lyrical concepts. They sing about boring things like trains and numbers. It’s nice because it’s something I can actually understand. I have difficulty empathising with the emotional concepts expressed in most other artists’ songs. Coldplay, Phish, and Kraftwerk are my three favourite bands. I generally dislike music but these three acts make class music. 

Gary Stewart — “An Empty Glass”

This is a song about an alcoholic who cries himself to sleep each night after he returns to his gaff after a night at pub. I can relate as I am also an alcoholic and I often cry. In the song, Gary Stewart sings about pouring whiskey on a heart that’s on fire. I relate almost completely except instead of whiskey I would consume Vodka Red Bull, my favourite tipple. 

Mal Waldron — “The Seagulls of Kristiansund“

This is a 26 minute song that doesn’t have words. The title is about birds in a municipality in a shitty European country called Norway. It sounds very sad which makes me think the birds in this country are deeply unhappy. I have not been, but I understand that a beer can cost £10 or more in Norway. This is very dangerous and sad for alcoholics. Additionally, most retail shops and large supermarkets in Norway are legally closed on Sundays. This means alcoholics must purchase their tipple a day in advance or experience the consequence of the dreaded shakes. Perhaps the sad tone of the song comes from the prohibitively expensive and strict alcohol laws in this nation. Seagulls don’t usually consume alcohol though, so it’s probably about something else.

Jim E. Brown — “I Am the Fattest Person in the World“

I understand that it violates social decorum to promote my own music in this medium but if it leads to someone discovering my music, I may make money which will help support my alcohol addiction. I am also addicted to eating fat fuck foods. I eat and drink excessively to quell the emotional pain that I feel perpetually. This song is about how I abhor my own body and find it grotesque to look at.