James Ethington III is an alternative acoustic musician from Alamogordo, NM. He started playing the guitar 6 years ago as a better way to deal with anxiety and depression. Although he started playing at 19, His whole life he loved music and was influenced by various Motown groups, mostly The Jackson 5 and The Temptations. In recent years he has been inspired by musicians like Kurt Cobain, Ed Sheeran and Gary Clark Jr. As a musician his goal is to do the best he can to inspire other people by showing them that through entertainment there are better ways to deal with depression. He said, "Even if you are from a small town you can still live out your dreams and accomplish your goals. Just keep on believing!" It is one of the reasons why he released "Rheacycle" on June 3, 2020. However, I will give more details about the lead single, "Becca."
The genre for this track is country music. "Becca" is a character that originated from a short film idea derived from James Ethington III's active imagination. This story is about a young man's journey to New York in pursuit of a career in the big city. By chance, he runs into an old high school acquaintance from the past. Though they were never intimate they were always connected on a spiritual level. The catch-22 is that he is already involved in a deteriorating relationship and "Becca'' only makes his situation more complicated. This is shown in the lyrics below :
"You remember the junior year? / funny how memories don't / age like we do / and anytime I'm / feeling low I think / of the memories of old / Now I'm counting crows / We dance so slow but / I don't want to be alone"
From the second verse above, there is an acoustic guitar that plays in the background. It stays consistent as he talks about Becca. They reminisce about the good times in the past. James' vocals are smooth, and straight to the point as he talks about Becca. It shows that lyrically, he is gifted.
The acoustic guitar seems to be upbeat as we reach the chorus of the song. This is shown when it says:
"So don't let me drink / myself dry you know / if you leave you couldn't / stand the pain you'll / book a flight before the / end of the night / And meet me in the baggage claim and follow me home / Becca!"
He adds a bit of energy and emotion to the chorus. It is his way of expressing his nostalgia and that he can't wait to spend time with her. He emphasises the word, "Becca!" probably to show he is thrilled to see her. the acoustic guitar remains consistent in the chorus. Yet his vocals seem a little higher. In this case, he has a strong vocal arrangement.
Overall, I loved the concept of the song, "Becca." It is simple, and straight to the point. Moreover, I loved the acoustic guitar playing in the background. It makes the song have a calm and soothing feeling. I believe the single serves as a way to showcase his ability as a musician. He told a story through the song lyrics. Therefore, in light of all the points, I rate the track, 10/10.
Production and Engineering work of the single was handled by Eric Gubala
More details about the EP, "Rheacycle” provided by Tavaron Marshall :
After several years of busking, also known as street performing, that led to trips to Santa Monica
Beach California, Phoenix Arizona, and Austin Texas to name a few, Alamogordo, New Mexico has an exciting new emerging star. Home to Eric Burton of the Grammy Nominated “Black Pumas”, this obscure place might just be a hotbed for undiscovered raw talent. James Ethington III hits the scene with a debut killer EP entitled "Rheacycle" an eclectic five-song mix reminiscing the glory days of alternative acoustic music. He has been described as Van Morrison mixed with Prince and a dash of Dave Matthews but the singer-songwriter remains himself throughout the project. He is influenced by these Rock and Roll Hall of Fame calibre artists. Stand-out tracks include “Becca” and “Sexy, Juicy, Bouncy.”
Production and Engineering work was handled by Eric Gubala a Virginia native, whose mentor is
Orlando Gomez who handled production duties on Khalid’s debut album. Eric is a part-time employee at Beacon Hill Recording Studios, a prestigious large-scale studio located in El Paso, Texas. Beacon Hill has seen the likes of recording artists such as aforementioned Khalid, B.o.B, and Kali Uchis. He is also actively involved in projects from a few local artists and Rap Innovators, a Hip-hop collective. Eric is also an active duty military member serving in the United States Air Force currently stationed at Holloman AFB, New Mexico.
James Ethington III Spotify Artist Link:
James Ethington III Social Media Links:
Eric Gubala Social Media Links: