Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: My older sister first introduced me to the guitar and, at 9 years of age, I joined a guitar club at my school. From then on I was hooked. My parents were church-goers and they encouraged me to join the church music group, playing in services, so I learned quickly about playing with other musicians and in front of an audience.
When I was 13 my mother died and I went off the rails, somewhat, but music helped keep me off the streets a fair bit and probably stopped me getting into any serious trouble. I played in a few bands, mainly playing hard rock and prog and started gigging in pubs and so on when I was only 14 or 15. Fortunately I looked old for my age, so I think that helped me get accepted. I think that blooding in rock and prog really instilled in me the importance of the technical side of music and musicality, regardless of genre and, when Gary Moore turned to blues and started shredding it up left, right and centre, it kind of reaffirmed this for me, I guess.
Q: After a four-year break, what does it feel like to be back in the studio recording a new album?
A: It feels great. I honestly didn’t think we’d ever get there after Covid and the damage it caused to the Railroaded release and tour. Whilst all but one of the promoters of our cancelled Covid gigs honoured them later (I won’t name the one who refused) we lost all the impetus that comes with a new album. In an incredibly crowded market it then became increasingly hard to find new venues, to the point that the band briefly folded when it all got the better of my mental and physical health. Fortunately we decided to give it another go and have ended up where we are, back in the studio and looking forward to the future.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: I think it’d be a choice between two current acts around the British blues scene; Jon and the guys from Big Wolf Band or my Kentish neighbour Zac Schultz. Zac is a young guy who is just going out and grabbing the scene by the scruff of the neck, performing all over Europe and even over in America, whilst the Big Wolf guys have been through similar difficulties as we have and have come out the other side. They’ve recently released a cracking new album and are finally getting the recognition they deserve. If I had to stick my neck out, I’d say Big Wolf Band, as I can really relate to their journey.
I tend to take inspiration from music that excites me, regardless of genre. Over the years I’ve worked within and studied many different styles so you pick up bits of allsorts along the way.
Q: Can you tell us more about the new album and what fans can expect in terms of sound and style?
A: It’ll certainly be leaning more to the classic blues style than Railroaded. We always like to push our luck in terms of blurring genre a bit, and that will still be the case, however they’ll be a real overarching bluesiness to the album. As ever, my beloved cigar box banjo will be making an appearance, of course!
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Honest
Q: How has the band’s sound evolved from Railroaded to this upcoming release?
A: As I said, it’s heading back more towards a more traditional blues feel. That said, we really back ourselves as good, professional musicians. When I said I’d describe our music as honest, I mean that we won’t dumb ourselves down to confirm to outdated blues stereotypes, so for anyone out there still complaining about the technical abilities of the Moores or Bonamassas of this world, then I’m afraid you are going to be disappointed!
In terms of production it will be pretty similar. I always felt our debut album, Stranger, was a little too polished, in terms of production, so we went for something a little more raw on Railroaded. We really liked the overall sound, so will be trying to maintain that.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: I’m not a big fan of things like politics and music mixing, so I stay away from that sort of thing. I have suffered terribly with my mental health for most of my life, so I am keen to highlight the struggles of the many millions like me, with new songs like “Tears in the Wind” and “Black Dog Calling”. The term black dog is borrowed directly from a great Australian campaign to encourage sufferers to talk about their problems, which I think is great; you’ll often see their logo on a badge on my guitar strap.
Alongside this, I like to take a lighter look at life sometimes within my songwriting. “Tales of the Modern Curse” will be a fairly tongue-in-cheek poke at middle aged guys, like myself, and our struggles with keeping up with modern technological life.
My goal, and that of the band, is to simply get our music out to as many people as possible and to bring some enjoyment and pleasure to them. If, along the way, we can shine a light on issues important to us personally, like mental health awareness, then all the better.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Stevie Ray Vaughan. The guy just had it all: style, feel and surprising technicality when he chose to unleash it. The opening track of the album, “First King of Texas” will be a homage to him, with the opening riff taking influence from the first bar of his famous instrumental track, “Scuttlebuttin”
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Throw yourself in 100%: no half measures. Take advantage of any breaks you get along the way and be nice to people on the way up; you may need their help on the way back down, as it’ll be a bumpy ride.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Back yourself more and drink less!
