Interview: Femi Kuti.
Femi Kuti is a creative force unlike anyone else in music today. The eldest son of Fela Kuti pays homage to his father’s legacy while innovating new sounds within Afrobeat. Femi recently called in to discuss his lyrical inspiration, how he approaches collaboration and taking his music from the Shrine to the world. He is currently touring the US. For more info on Femi Kuti, check out http://www.femikuti.tv/ What was your first musical memory? My first musical memory was when I was 5 or 6, watching my father play. You’ve really been able to carry on your father’s legacy, while also pushing into new ideas and territories. How do you balance those styles? I think…
Interview: Butch Trucks.
Butch Trucks is a legend. He is a founding member of the Allman Brothers Band. He will be teaching and performing at the Roots Rock Revival in upstate New York, along with Luther and Cody Dickinson. Butch’s passion for music and life is inspiring. For more information on the Roots Rock Revival, check out http://musicmasterscamp.com/roots_rock_revival.html How are you? I’m feeling great today. I went to FSU Florida State. A buddy of mine and I went down to the Orange Bowl last night and watched Florida State just absolutely slaughter Northern Illinois. Are you a football fan? Yeah. Who’s your team? I’m more of a pro guy. I grew up that way, but since free agency,…
Interview: Royal Teeth
Royal Teeth is a Lafayette, Louisiana-based rock band. They are playing Austin City Limits 2012 and the Voodoo Music Experience Royal Teeth tour constantly and are known for their joyous, energetic live shows. Guitarist/Vocalist Gary Larsen recently wrote in to discuss how the band came together, their songwriting process and the collaborative nature of Royal Teeth. For more info on Royal Teeth, check out http://www.royalteethmusic.com/ What is your earliest musical memory? I remember deciding pretty early on that I wanted to be a big rock star one day. My parents bought me a bass for my 10th birthday and about a week later I played at my school fair. It wasn’t pretty. Did you come from a…
Interview: TAUK – Coming to a Festival Near You
Bands That Jam recently caught up with the Long Island/NYC band TAUK, before they ventured out to start their summer shows. A very large portion of our readers will be able to see them perform in the coming months,as they are playing several big festivals: Hangout Beach, Summercamp, Bonnaroo, and The Allman Brother’s Peach festival. BTJ asked a few questions, here’s what they had to say- Download their album Pull Factors for free from their website,and listen while you read. The uplifting instrumental is sure to become a permament fixture on your playlists. Bands That Jam : First things first- your name TAUK, we understand it’s a nod to your hometown and roots…. -Yes! Kinda….the name…
Interview: Tommy Stinson
Tommy Stinson is a rock legend. He was a member of famed Minnesota-based rock group the Replacements. Since 1998, he has been the bassist for Guns N’ Roses and Soul Asylum. His latest release is the solo album “One Man Mutiny.” For more info on Tommy Stinson, check out http://tommystinson.com/Â or follow him on twitter: @tommy_stinson. McClain Johnson: As a solo artist, how does your songwriting process work? Tommy Stinson: You know, I don’t really have one particularly. When I’ve got free time and my head is freed up from touring and all that stuff, it just sort of comes to me. It can come to me in any way, whether it is guitar, bass, drums,…
Interview: Keller Williams
Keller’s musical career is on fire. His recent Kdubalicious album titled simply, “Bass” kicked off last December, and as we write this he’s doing his best to keep the Travelin’ McCourys from fishing off the boat during Jam Cruise. Â I’ve seen Keller play with everyone from The String Cheese Incident to the Rhythm Devils, and caught up with him recently at his show in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the Blind Pig. Â Based on the track he shared with us (scroll all the way down), I can’t wait to see him with the Travelin’ McCourys next summer. Bands That Jam: Â Welcome to Michigan Keller. Â Thanks for sitting down to talk with Bands That Jam. Â What were…
Interview: Mason Jennings
BTJ Photographer Chris Monaghan sat down recently with singer/songwriter Mason Jennings to talk about his current cross country tour, his beginnings as a musician and his songwriting style. You can stream Jennings’ latest Minnesota and see his remaining dates on his website. BandsThatJam:    How old were you when you started playing guitar, and when did you know you wanted to be a musician? Mason Jennings: I would always write these songs when I was pretty little, even when I was 8 or 9 I would write these full songs and sing them in to a tape recorder, so I was always really writing. But I really wanted to play drums. I started on drums…
Interview: Bob Weir & Searching for Freedom
Searching For Freedom With Bob Weir Bob Weir is the co-founder of the Grateful Dead. His other bands include Furthur and RatDog. His latest project is TRI Studios (http://www.tristudios.com/), which broadcasts high quality concerts live online. He recently called in to discuss the impact of technology on his songwriting, the creation of TRI Studios and the free-flowing nature of the Dead’s setlist creation. McClain Johnson: How did the concept for TRI studios come together? How did it get started? Bob Weir: It was a long, involved process. I picked up a recording console, an API recording console. In my opinion, it was the best console I could get. We started building a studio around it. Along the way, an old…
Interview: Mike Doughty
Mike Doughty is one of the best, most creative singer-songwriters out today. He has a skill for writing memorable hooks, and writes intriguing, oddball, poetic lyrics. His latest album, Yes and Also Yes, will be released August 30th on his own label, Snack Bar. Mike recently wrote in to discuss his love of pop songs, how he creates beats and the challenges of being an independent artist. For more info on Mike Doughty, check out http://www.mikedoughty.com McClain Johnson: What inspired “Into the Un?” Mike Doughty: Actually, weirdly, I was asked to write something for the next Twilight soundtrack–though they rejected the song. It’s a kind of psychedelic goth fantasia–I hung out with a lot of…
Interview: Bruce Hornsby
Bruce Hornsby is a piano player/singer-songwriter who works in many different styles and with a wide range of other artists. His latest release is the live album, Bride of the Noisemakers. He recently discussed playing with the Grateful Dead, how he is always looking to expand his sound and his passion for modern classical music. McClain Johnson: How old were you when you first started playing piano? Bruce Hornsby: I started really late. I started at age 17, junior year in high school, for a couple of inspirational reasons. My older brother, Bobby Hornsby, was the original musician in our band. He was the guy who had bands in junior high school and late elementary…
