Play on, play on, play on….

I’m a music fanatic. It’s so much a part of my life it’s almost who I am, alongside writing, of course. I listen to pretty much everything (with one or two notable exceptions which we won’t go into right now!)

Shakespeare recognised the strong link between love and music, and it recurs in much of his writing. And almost any couple I know has “their song”, or we have a number that reminds of a particular time, a memorable moment… music and romance go hand in hand.

Personally, I have a “thing” for blues – I love the almost-discords, the underlying tension and depth and richness that comes through, and I love the words and the way it all comes together. So I’m really excited to interview my next guest, whom I discovered by way of MySpace (don’t you just love Cyberspace?)… today I’m interviewing Papasean Johnson, blues musician, who has a bright future ahead of him. He was recently given the GrIndie Award for their CD “The Colours of Blues.” (A GrIndie Award is RadioIndy’s stamp of approval that this CD is an excellent quality CD.)


Judah: Hi there – it’s great to have you along, and pretty brave of you to step out into “romance” territory! To kick off with, why don’t you give us the short Papasean musical history.


Papasean: Hi Judah. It’s great to be here. I started playing guitar when I was 10, and
right away knew this was something I wanted to do with my life. I went on to play my first bar gig when I was 18, then played guitar in a local blues band in northern Ontario called Tom Foolery in my 20’s.

Judah: So have you always played blues, or did you try other things as well along the way?

Papasean: No, I’ve played various music styles though my life but always came back to the blues. This is where my soul lies.

Judah: I picked up on that passion when listening to your album… so where do you draw the inspiration for your songs?

Papasean: From life, mainly. I get all my inspiration from life experience, and I draw on what I see around me and what effects my life.

Judah: And now for one of those “inevitable” questions! As a musician, you obviously also listen extensively to music. Are there any particular musicians that inspire you, or whose style has influenced your own music?

Papasean: You could say that I’ve been influenced by some of the guitar “greats” – Billy Gibbons from ZZ top, Eric Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Hendrix, bb king, Robert Johnson, Paul Gilbert, Malmstein… the list could go on and on.. I kind of take a little piece of everyone and incorporate it into my music. I learn from them, and then make it my own.

Judah: I really enjoyed your first album, “The Colours of Blues”. Tell us a little about it – some background and what the main inspiration was behind it?

Papasean: “The Colours of Blues” was released in 2008, and mostly inspired by a good friend of mine that I lost a few years ago. It was an outlet for me to work through my emotions and the deep feelings I had.

Judah: I think the depth and variety on the album reflects that exploration. I also found it quite “broad” in it’s treatment of the Blues genre, which is intriguing. So often, albums seem to stay within a particular framework.

Papasean: Yes. There are a lot of different “feels” on the cd – some SRV Swing, swampy slide guitar work, a jazzy feeling tune and some more edgy rocking blues stuff. Basically it’s an unselfish album – I wasn’t trying to impress but rather just playing what felt right at the time.

Judah: So what about the future? Do you have anything in the pipeline right now you’d like to tell us about?

Papasean: Currently I just finished my songs for the new cd coming out this year. I’m pretty stoked about it. We’re heading into the studio in the next few weeks. This cd is going to be more up beat and grooving, and a lot more polished for sure.

Judah: Okay, time to “unpack” Papasean the person… When you’re not working – making blues music, that is – -what do you do for fun, for relaxation?

Papasean: I enjoy riding my Harley, taking in B.C.’s beautiful sites. Oh, and stopping in at various pubs with the buddies for a cold beverage. Also spending time with my wife Erin, family and friends. I enjoy camping and fishing, sitting around a camp fire and the peaceful sound of nature. I also love my dog, Colt, he is a Harlequin Great Dane. It’s like having a cow that lives in the house. …lol.

Judah: Sound fun. And talking of “pets” – what’s your “pet hate” in life?

Papasean: I think what bothers me most is people that are always negative, in what they say and do. I believe you get back what you put out, it all comes back around sooner or later.

Judah: And your favorite colour?

Papasean: Definitely dark blue.

Judah: Okay, last one… Food?

Papasean: I love Japanese and Italian food, and let me tell you this: I know my way around the kitchen… I enjoy good food…

Judah: A blues musician who also cooks, and not just on the guitar! Find out more about Papasean Johnson by visiting his website at http://papaseanjohnson.com. Check out his “The Colours of Blues” album – I did, and really loved it. I predict that his music is going places, and if you’re a blues fan, get in on the ground level. Personally, I can’t wait for the next one to come out.

For the authors out there – if you’re looking for something catchy and different for your next book trailer, give the blues a try. Contact Papasean and let him know what you’re looking for – Click on the image below and find the email link on the site (bottom left)….

Or, better still, have a quick listen then pop across and contact him…

That’s it folks! I had fun, hope you will too…

Jude
Judah Raine

http://www.judahraine.com

Still Running – http://www.bookstrand.com/product-stillrunning-13915-330.html

The Look – http://www.bookstrand.com/product-thelook-13952-330.html

Coming soon: A Thick Black Line

Tags: judah raine, music the food of love, Papasean Johnson, The Colours of Blues

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