Meet Maryland-based Artist James Moore
James Moore is a writer, editor, playwright and songwriter based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. You can check out his songs (as “James the Least”) on Soundcloud and YouTube.
“I’m a writer and editor by trade, but as an “artist” I’m a playwright and songwriter focused mostly on songwriting these days. I’ve had several full-length plays and a handful of one-acts produced and hope to get back to it one of these days. As a songwriter, something I’ve called myself since I was about seven years old—when I started learning guitar so I could play at my parish’s weekly folk Mass—I am focused these days on using blues, rockabilly, country, and other traditional styles to create songs that celebrate various aspects of Catholic life.”
Where are you from originally, and what brought you to Gaithersburg, MD?
I grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey, and lived in New Jersey until just before I turned 40, when a job brought me and my family to Kansas City, where we lived for 20 years. When college time came around for my son, his mom and I encouraged him to broaden his horizons and look for a school “back east,” since he had always been fond of visiting family back there. He discovered the Archdiocese of Baltimore while going to college in Maryland, where he also answered the call to discern the priesthood. With him putting down roots in this area, my wife and I took the opportunity to make the move back east ourselves. God being good, I found a job quickly and we were able to do it. We got here during the lockdowns, so we’re still quite green as residents.
How do understand your vocation as a Catholic artist?
Let’s break that down. My vocation is as a husband and father. My profession is that of a content writer and editor; songwriting and playwriting are things I do to make the most of some gifts God has given me. All of the above come under the heading of being a Catholic man. My faith is the first aspect of my identity.
In terms of my “art”—if I can legitimately call it that—I decidedly identify as a Catholic artist in that regard. I wanted to be a rock star in my 20s, but today I want to focus specifically on songs about being Catholic, and hoping they bring some joy to anyone who encounters them, make Catholicism more accessible to non-Catholics, and make fellow Catholics feel good about the faith.
As for playwriting, that has taken something of a backseat given the damper COVID put on venues. And being, as I mentioned green as a local resident, I haven’t had an opportunity to explore local theatre since our move. Songwriting is something I can do on my own, evenings and weekends.
Where have you found support among your fellow artists for your Catholic faith?
I was recently invited to perform at the CAC DC chapter's St. Joseph's Day Art & Music Festival, coming up on March 19th. Hmmmm. I wonder if that had anything to do with the fact that I helped out with copy for the flyer? : )
How can the Church be more welcoming to artists?
I’m not sure what that means. The Church as an institution has been welcoming to artists for a long, long time. We’ve got tons of nice paintings, statues and music to prove it. The laity in the Church would be doing themselves a favor if they sought out the work of contemporary Catholic artists who are continuing the tradition of pursuing truth and beauty and brought it into their homes…paintings, sculpture, photography, CDs (I still think in terms of physical media), pottery, textiles. I’ll stop the list there, but the point is that the Church isn’t just the bishops and priests.
Even if every parish in the country opened up an art gallery or open-mic coffee shop, that would only do so much. Domestic churches need to broaden their horizons regarding the culture they enjoy. I admire the willingness and desire among our Protestant brothers and sisters to enjoy faith-based music outside of liturgy and hope Catholics will give those of us trying to provide non-liturgical listening experiences a try. I’d love to see more Catholic artwork in homes, as well. There are homes with entire rooms dedicated to a sports team but with little if any visual evidence of the family’s profession of faith.
How can the artistic world be more welcoming to artists of faith?
It’s not so much faith that bothers people as it is the moral code that goes along with faith. One of my one-acts was produced by a group in Ohio called the Conservative Theatre Company, whose motto is “Disagreement does not equal hate.” Agreeing to that would be a start for the larger arts community.
What is your daily spiritual practice?
My wife and I commute together, so we do the rosary on our way into D.C. When she drops me off at the Metro, I read the day’s Mass readings. My wife has the blessing of easy access to daily Mass. On the way back to meet her in the evening, I’ll say either the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet on the Metro. Later on, we do evening prayer using those great Word on Fire Liturgy of the Hours books.
What is your daily artistic practice?
I work when I can. I am not, nor have I ever been, a full-time artist, so I really don’t have any advice to share on this entire section of the questionnaire. Being fond of regular meals, I never had the fortitude for economic uncertainty that I so admire in others. Nor did I feel that was where the Lord was calling me. Whether I have been writing songs, plays, singing or playing guitar, I have always been happy practicing those crafts when life allows me the time.