Wednesday 14 March 2018

Interview with Jay Kipps

Love Music : Let’s talk a bit about your music and what is the secret behind your band success?  

Things moved quickly on this record. The creative juices were flowing so we got into the studio to lay things down for the new record right away. I find working with a band and creating new music is like trying to capture a moment in time. Too much rehersal and the magic dries up, not enough and things get messy and you end up wasting time and money in the studio. I think we pulled this off at just the right time and really captured something special on the record. There is something here for just about anyone that is into blues, roots, rock, Americana, surf, bluegrass. We got it covered.

 

Love Music : Can you please tell our readers more about the band members and their role in the band ? 

A. Chad Burford is our lead guitar player and has been a great partner in the writing process. We are both heavily influenced by stripped down, honest grooves from the 60’s and 70’s. I have some unique influences that date back to an earlier time and to my Dad’s record collection. It has been rare to find others to play with that have those same surf, western, blues and rock influences. Chad finishes my musical sentences in a way that inspires my creativity and creates a collaborative environment for the rest of the band.

 

Love Music : Any new project do you have coming up ? 

We have a new single. Coming out and are working on 15 new songs for a new record. Some of the songs could have been on our first record but weren’t ready yet. I’m excited to get them out there. I think together these songs create an even harder driving up beat vibe and we have some great special guests helping us to bring in some new flavours.
 


 



Love Music : Please tell us more about your new debut "HOW TO POLISH YOUR LONGHORNS" ?  


One of our fans gave us a “Texas Longhorn Kit” when we told him about some of the gun slinger, old west vibe we were thinking of for the cover art. I really liked some of the Outlaw Country covers from bands like CSNY and The Eagles that featured the old west. As a kid I lived in the Yukon for a while and as a teen I work out west as a cowboy. Even thou we are not country I wanted to get some of that twang across in our brand. Anyway, we were given this longhorn kit from the 60’s complete with detailed instructions on how to assemble, how to carve the leather, how to mount your horns and how to polish them. The font on the cover was made from those instructions and those horns travelled with us to the studio and to every show. Each track on the record is laid out as another step in “polishing your Longhorns”.


Love Music : Who are your musical inspirations? 


The Band, CSNY, Neil Young, Fred Eaglesmith, Bap Kennedy, Wilco, JJ Cale, Sunny Boy Williamson, Big Mama Thornton, The Ventures,

 

Love Music : Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to be a professional musician ? 

Don’t do it. It has become a really tough business. Do it for yourself and for the art first and make another plan for the rest because people are not “discovered” like they used to be. Beware of false promises. Kick ass and stay true to your vision. Don’t let the ass holes win. Try and play with as many different styles and people as you can. Stay open.
 


Love Music : Have you set some goals to achieve ?
 

I would like to put out this record on Vinal. I am biased obviously but I think the cover art is awesome. We wanted to convey an old school vinal kind of fold experience that I associate with my childhood looking at my Dad’s records. I think that we did that successfully even with our CD’s. It will be even better with vinal and the photography will be great in larger format.

As I said, we also have 15 new songs we are working on and we are putting the finishing touches on our next single now.

 

Love Music : If you could perform anywhere, in the world, where would it have to be? 

Americana Fest in the UK or the Fred Eaglesmith charity picnic which is the largest remaining Roots music festival in Canada. We have made so many friends there and have met so many great players including players that ended up on contributing to our record.

 

Love Music : Please share with us your proudest moments ?

Our record release was epic. We had so many great players contribute and come out and play to help us warm up the crowd. Looking out at the crowd and seeing old Freinds and fans who had travelled many hours to see us and seeing new fans touched by our music and song writhing and singing along is really an indescribable moving experience. Also, opening for great Canadian bands like the The Trews and playing with music mentors like the late blues legend Jeff Heley have all been incredible mile markers for us.


www.jaykippsband.com

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