23 February 2015 (released)
20 March 2015
It’s been a busy year so far for JJ Grey & Mofro with the latest release of the new album ‘Ol’ Glory’. This seven piece group have a distinct style of music described as a blend of southern roots influenced country-blues and soul. Frontman JJ Grey is one soulful singer known for his charismatic performances with a story telling nature. With the album release in February and a world tour currently happening this is going to be one long road trip for this group. Don’t worry too much about the hectic schedule the album involved JJ surfing in the morning and recording it in the afternoon, this relaxed vibe is definitely present in many of the tracks on the album.
JJ Grey took a few minutes out of his busy touring schedule to chat with Music News about the music score he wrote for an Emmy Award winning documentary and his collaborations on the new album.
MN - If I was somebody new to your music how would you describe the sound of the new album?
JJ - I'm terrible about describing it. It’s kind of like trying to describe yourself. You sort of know what we look like since we've all seen ourselves in mirrors for years, but truth be told we still don't know what we look like. Dan Prothero coined the phrase "front porch soul" a long time ago to describe it and I've always felt that, that was a title I'd like to live up to.
MN - Tell us about your collaborations on this album?
JJ - Derek Trucks and Luther Dickinson both played on some tracks for me on the album. Derek has done it before. He played on a track on Georgia Warhorse for me. He lives here in Jacksonville where I live and is a good friend not to mention one of the greatest guitarists to ever live as far as I'm concerned. Luther is another great! We've known each other for years through our bands playing together (North Mississippi Allstars) and I feel so lucky and grateful to have the both of them jam with me on the record.
MN - As an avid surfer do you get inspired for lyrics and licks while on the board?
JJ - Sometimes. It’s definitely happened before, but only when I don't think about it.
MN - You have been described as an intense storyteller when you perform. This is something that has
always been there with you on stage or has it grown over the years?
JJ - It’s kind of always been there but I'm not as nervous about it anymore. I never intended to bring "storytellin'" to the live shows, it just sort of happened.
MN - How big a challenge was writing the film score for Emmy Award Winning documentary The Good Soldier?
JJ - That was actually easy because they made such a great film. The music just played itself. I didn't feel like I did anything other than enjoy the ride that the stories told. The music just wrote itself from that.
MN -Not busy enough with touring and film score writing you are also part of the Southern Soul Assembly. Tell us about this super group?
JJ - It has Luther Dickinson (who I was just talking about a second ago), Marc Broussard (one of my favourite singer/songwriter/performers ever) and Anders Osborne (another giant of a singer/songwriter/performer). They are masters of their craft and it’s been an absolute thrill for me to hang with these guys and watch them perform.
MN - On top of everything you are working with a few environmental foundations. What made you want to get involved?
JJ - I just figured that every problem in the world is always a local problem no matter where it’s at. Plus it’s always seemed to me that there is more of a chance for a solution to happen that benefits everyone when it’s spearheaded locally as opposed to someone a thousand miles away trying to make those decisions.
MN - Playing a big crowd is nothing new for you. What do you prefer more, the intimate or larger gigs like the festivals?
JJ - I love both. They have different things but I love for an intimate show to also feel like it’s as festive as a festival and a festival to feel like it’s still intimate.
MN - What tour date on the trip are you most looking forward to?
JJ - Paris! It'll be our first time there! Also, the Byron Bay Blues Festival in Australia. We've played it before but it’s been a long cold winter in the USA and I'm looking forward to some sun down there!
MN - As we leave you to get back on the road what albums will you be listening to while touring?
JJ - Anything and everything!
http://www.jjgrey.com/
