By Karen Shamban
At home base in London prior to making a swing on the US west coast later this month, BluesMix took a few minutes to answer some musical questions.
Q: What are the top three things people should know about your music?
A:
We focus on original material and blend funk with blues. We're big on
songwriting but also performance, groove, and feel of the music. It's
music you can dance to! We're from London, England and have been
labeled 'one of the UK's leading blues/funk bands'. Oh - that's four
things! :)
Q: Do you prefer smaller, intimate venues or larger, louder ones?
A:
Actually both, for different reasons. We play many intimate club shows
in London at prestigious venues such as the 100 Club. There's lots of
musical history with these types of clubs where the likes of the Rolling
Stones used to play week-in week-out in the '60s. Usually these shows generally have a fantastic atmosphere, with a close connection
to the audience, who are packed close to the stage. They often turn up surprises
too…for example, we've had artists such as Amy Winehouse and Mick
Abrahams in the crowd enjoying the show and then asking to come onstage
and play with the band. Lots of fun! The larger venues are great too,
in a different way. We've played to 3,000-person+ crowds and the atmosphere
with so many people enjoying the show is a real buzz. It's also nice to
play outdoor venues, especially in places with nice weather like
California!
Q: What's new and different in the music you are playing today, versus a year or two ago?
A:
Well, we released a new album earlier this year. It's called Flat Nine;
it's on the Proper Records label. Whilst our music has always been a
blend of blues and vintage funk, this album in particular has evolved our
funk side even further. We've received some really great reviews from the music press in
the UK and had generous comparisons to the likes of The Meters, Dr. John,
The Average White Band, Howlin' Wolf. The album has generated lots of
interest, which is fantastic. We're playing to regular sellout shows in
the UK and are also opening for some legends of the funk music scene,
such as The New Mastersounds.
BluesMix
are headlining the Oracle OpenWorld Welcome Reception in Yerba Buena
Gardens on Sunday, September 30 and are playing at the Oracle
OpenWorld Music Festival at Slim's on Tuesday, October 2.
More on the music:
Oracle OpenWorld Music Festival
BluesMix
>>
