ON THE RISE

From Rock Roots to Rough Demos: The Jimmy Dixon Group releases new song “In Thin Air”

By Natalia J., Publicist
October 28, 2024
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If you like to rock, then let’s roll. The Jimmy Dixon Group, a collective of passionate rock & roll fans and creatives from all over the Midwest, meet up to record “The Rough Demos.”

Lead singer and instigator Jimmy Dixon shares the imaginative backstory of how the group came to be. When asked about their playful biography, he jokingly clarifies that with every good legendary tale there are grains of truth and elements of embellishment. However, what’s most enduring about their story is how their old souls and shared love of rock, and on-the-roll-rendezvous, shaped what is now the Jimmy Dixon Group.

Drawing inspiration from 1950s Chicago blues genres with an iconic vintage Fender electric sound, to the uninhibited energy of '60s and '70s rock 'n' roll, the band has been influenced by all kinds of kinds: Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, The Who, Bob Dylan, and their creative compass of a supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys.

Scattered throughout the Midwest, The Jimmy Dixon Group comprises: Jimmy Dixon, lead singer, Cranky Dixon on lead guitar, "Midnight" Mae Dixon on piano, Benmont Dixon on strings, Chubbs Dixon on drums, Gary Dixon on bass and backing vocals, and Capo Dixon on rhythm guitars. Yes, plural, because he plays a 12 string, which is practically two guitars, right? No, but I digress. While these aren’t their government names, this cast of musicians do bring the authenticity and sheer fun of rock n’ roll to life in their new album “Rough Demos.” Kicking us off is their single, “In Thin Air.”

While I didn’t get the pleasure of speaking with the entire group, Jimmy does a great job of illustrating the collaborative and open source nature of the group’s songwriting and creative process. Working alongside their sound engineer, “In Thin Air,” is wildly up for interpretation.

Jimmy shares that’s one of his favorite things about music is its limitless capacity to resonate with people in their own way. One of the greatest things about music is that a song can have different meanings to different people - and nobody is wrong. It just means something different to them. What's most important is that the listener found meaning in the song to begin with. However, he mentioned that for him, the song offered an opportunity to evaluate his life, reflect on how he was spending his time—a finite resource—and determine whether the direction he was heading in was truly making him happy.

And what did make Jimmy and the group happiest, he noted, was the act of creating and finally getting together to record. "In Thin Air" was the first track they recorded as part of their first album, “Rough Demos.”

Jimmy shared how much he enjoyed watching “In Thin Air” evolve—it started with an idea tossed to the group, and each player added their own stamp on it, both through their instruments and by ideating on the direction and arc of the song.

"In Thin Air" features a chugging electric guitar groove, a feeling (for me at least) that embodies cruisin’ down a highway. Their engineer had an unusual idea to incorporate weather elements, such as thunderstorms, to amplify the experience. Jimmy reflected that it not only enhanced the guitar groove but also meshed perfectly with the crash cymbal hits, giving the track extra power and force. Ironically, it was just a happy coincidence that the song’s title aligned so well with the atmospheric elements.

To hear for yourself, you can find “In Thin Air” and the rest of the Rough Demos album on Spotify.

Connect here with The Jimmy Dixon Group for updates on their second album coming in 2025!

ON THE RISE

Exclusive Interview with Jimmy Mallia

By Artist On the Rise Staff
March 14, 2025
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Artist on the Rise: Have you ever had a dream that inspired a song?

Jimmy Mallia: I have definitely woken up in the middle of the night with a thought that became a song. I usually write them the same night.

Artist on the Rise: How do you know when a song is truly “finished”?

Jimmy Mallia: When I record it. I have often changed songs along the way. Not a lot. Just tweaked them.

Artist on the Rise: Have you ever scrapped a song that you now regret not finishing?

Jimmy Mallia: I never scrap a song. I put it away until the right idea for the song came to me. I have songs sit for years and come back to them.

Artist on the Rise: What’s the funniest or strangest reaction someone has had to your music?

Jimmy Mallia: I have had people cry listening to a single that, while deep, I didn’t think was sad. But it affected them personally for their reasons. But what a compliment that it touched them.

Artist on the Rise: What’s one thing people always get wrong about your music?

Jimmy Mallia: That is not mainstream to make it. Guess we will see.

Artist on the Rise: What’s the most unusual instrument or sound you’ve used in a track?

Jimmy Mallia: Steel guitar by far. The hardest instrument to play. But it has such a unique sound that can truly make a song. Adds so much depth to a song. Love the sound and admire the musicians.

Artist on the Rise: If your music could transport people to a specific place, where would it be?

Jimmy Mallia: Inside themselves. To reflect and feel something.

Artist on the Rise: Have you ever had writer’s block, and how did you overcome it?

Jimmy Mallia: I have not really had writer's block. I have sat on songs for a while until I get it right. But I write when I have an idea or thought, not when I sit down to think of a song.

Artist on the Rise: What’s a song of yours that has completely evolved from the original idea?

Jimmy Mallia: My next release, “Dance” has changed. Not the lyrics but the vocals.

Artist on the Rise: If you had to pick one of your songs to represent you as an artist, which one would it be and why?

Jimmy Mallia: “Hey Hey” because sobriety has changed my life and brought me a spirituality I did not have before.