Published: May 25, 2009 12:53 AM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight May 2009 Edition
Papa Josh
Papa Josh
Papa Josh is a mixture of The Brand New Heavies meets Jaramaqui meets The Roots meets Dag (a funk alternative band from Raleigh, North Carolina). If you are a fan of groove, funk, acid jazz, hip-hop, and alternative music, then Papa Josh will simply amaze you with his music. What is especially appealing about Papa Josh is his electrifying style that will get you off your feet and shake your booty. In this recent interview with Papa Josh, our Webzine discovered some cool things about him; here is what developed.
Isaac: What was the best part of 2008 for you musically?
Papa Josh: Doing a number of outdoor shows in beautiful surroundings for diverse crowds. The Pemberton and Whistler Music Festivals were great events to be a part of, but some of the smaller shows turned out to be even more magical and enjoyable to experience.
Isaac: What do you feel was your biggest accomplishment for 2008?
Papa Josh: Not working a regular job.
Isaac: Describe the music scene in area.
Papa Josh: I think most musicians in British Columbia would describe the music scene as "struggling". In fact, based on what I hear from friends working throughout the US, I'd say there isn't a music scene in North America that isn't struggling. That said, my situation is unique. I live in a small mountain town, a well respected ski resort a few hours north of Vancouver. Add in a few other small destinations and there are enough gigging options nearby to keep me busy. The majority of live music around here is rock covers, be it a tribute band, your old classic rock favorites or bands catering to younger audiences with newer and heavier...ROCK! On the other side of the coin is the dance club scene which is all about DJ's. This is really the scene I fit into, but it's hard to convince a DJ club to try something new. It's actually more difficult than convincing the live music venue that you're original one man funk/dance project will go over well despite the fact that you refuse to play Van Morrison, Bob Seger and well, I don't refuse to play anything unless you ask.
Isaac: What has been the best venue to perform at and why?
Papa Josh: In the past, my favorite venues were the Fox Theater in Boulder, CO, the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, and The Sweetwater Saloon in Mill Valley, CA. I like the Fox because it has wicked sound and Boulder has a lot of serious music lovers. You're taken care of from the moment you arrive and end up having a wicked show because you're feeling good and it's pure honey coming into you're ears. The Great American Music Hall and Sweetwater Saloon have witnessed unbelievable music history for years. You can definitely feel it when you walk inside. It's exhilarating to perform there and be a part of that vibe.
Here in BC, doing the Papa Josh - Funk'N'Grooves project, my favorite venue by far is Richard's on Richard's. Great sound and that same lived in, grooved in, rocked out feeling I got from the Sweetwater and Great American.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
Papa Josh: First, there are all my heroes growing up: Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, John Coltrane, Stevie Wonder, John Lee Hooker (too many to name really). These are musicians who had tremendous passion and soul flowing through their music. They were ground breakers who communicated to my emotions and intellect. They inspired me and made my life worth living.
Then, there is my guitar mentor Fareed Haque, guitarist for Garaj Mahal. He's an amazingly diverse guitarist, who plays jazz, classical, blues, and rock, on top of Indian ragas and dance rhythms.
He passed along a wealth of wisdom that has helped me in my musical path.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel you will bring to the music industry?
Papa Josh: Groove, soul, positivity, earth consciousness and electrifying moments.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
Papa Josh: I'd like to overtake The Roots and make the rappers take a back seat.
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
Papa Josh: Downright funk, with jazz and hip-hop inflections, meant to make you bust a move.
Isaac: What type of feedback have you received from fans about your music?
Papa Josh: People dig that I can jump from one instrument to the next and build a kicking funk groove before their eyes. I seem to get words like "Sick" "Ridiculously Sick", and "Dude that's fuxing sick!"
Isaac: What can fans expect from you in the next five years?
Papa Josh: Continued evolution, new CD's, new compositions, new sounds, fatter grooves, packed shows, bumpin dance floors and I hope to have a solar/wind powered stage to keep it moving.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans…
Papa Josh: I have tremendous support from my wife Sabra in my mission. She encourages me and deals with the sacrifices necessary to pursue a career as an artist. She also comes to every show and puts up curtains, lights and various eye candies to ensure that Papa Josh is a show and an experience no matter where I play. My son Idris is a blue eyed smiling spark of inspiration who reminds me that life is continuously UNFOLDING. I have lots of family that live very far away and I miss them. I have lots of friends here in BC who are now family.
Isaac: Final words…
Papa Josh: Groove music is therapy. Come out and ride the funk. Support live music.
