ABQ roots, NYC dreams: Singer-songwriter Jimmy Climbs returns to New Mexico for two shows

Inside his New York City apartment, there are two guitars within five feet of Jimmy Climbs.

This setup helps him capture the fleeting moments when inspiration strikes.

“I’ve been working on music every day since I work from home,” Climbs said. “I’ve been writing a lot since I’ve moved to the city.”

ABQ roots, NYC dreams: Singer-songwriter Jimmy Climbs returns to New Mexico for two shows

Climbs is marking his one-year anniversary of moving from Albuquerque to New York City in October.

He’s driving nearly 2,000 miles back to Albuquerque to perform a pair of shows alongside Abel Gonzalez, aka Lowmello, on Friday, Oct. 4, at Nuckolls Brewing Company-Lamy Taproom, and Saturday, Oct. 5, at Nob Hill Stage.

Climbs will also be celebrating his 28th birthday during the trip back.

“It’s been quite a ride for me the last few years,” he said. “I feel like I put down roots in Albuquerque and it was home. Then I wanted to see how far I could push my creative side by moving to New York City. It’s been full of ups and downs, but I’m excited to keep moving forward.”

Living in New York, Climbs is surprised by the daily inspiration.

“I go to Washington Square Park on any given day and there could be a world-renowned jazz band performing,” he said. “I see this type of talent and I know I have to step up my game. I’ve gotten better at singing and gotten better at songwriting. For every good song, I write 100 bad ones. It’s a process.”

Climbs doesn’t ever think he’ll figure out the special code — something that he appreciates.

“The writing process should be like a live show,” he said. “You have to be ready to embrace the many things that could go wrong.”

Climbs recently made his debut at the Mercury Lounge in August. This is the same space where legendary acts such as Radiohead, Lou Reed, Joan Jett, Jeff Buckley, Jimmy Chamberlin, The Strokes, Mod Fun, Jim Jones, Interpol, Tony Bennett, the Dandy Warhols, Broken Social Scene, The Killers, The Editors, Lady Gaga and Glasvegas played.

Being on the Mercury Lounge stage, Climbs said it allowed him time to reflect on how far his music career has come.

“The first festival I played was at the University of New Mexico Fiesta show a few years ago,” he said. “We had the opening slot for the festival and we played at noon and it was hot. I always perform without shoes. I burned the bottom of my feet that day. It was a memorable performance for many reasons.”

Climbs also finds himself wanting to explore more musical genres.

He’s known for his “neon rock,” which is full of fun, energetic songs.

“I’ve been exploring a lot more folky sound,” he said. “This has enabled me to write songs that are more story based. I draw bits and pieces from different people or situations I’m placed in. I come at songwriting through left field and I never know what to expect. I literally wrote a song and I used (the lyric) medulla oblongata in it. It’s where the flow of my consciousness goes.”

Coming back to Albuquerque to perform is something Climbs wants to do as often as he can.

He and Lowmello moved to New York City last October to extend a path, leaving a deep-rooted community back in Albuquerque.

“I’ve always wanted to build a community that supports each other,” he said. “It’s great that we can make the trip back and perform and connect again with the community that has helped me grow so much.”