10 Favorite Interviews of 2021

10 Favorite Interviews of 2021

By Martine Ehrenclou

As we near the end of the year with some of the challenges of the pandemic still with us, one thing remains constant—great music and great artists. Outstanding blues, rock and roots music permeated the year, infusing the bumpy and joyous times with singular beauty.

At Rock & Blues Muse we have the privilege of talking with some of the most talented and interesting artists and bands. This year was no different. I believe our interviews delve a bit deeper into conversations with these great artists, allowing readers to learn more about them as people, their beliefs and opinions, creative processes and music careers.

It’s a true delight to interview artists who are this talented and downright fascinating. Each one is uniquely interesting because of who they are as people.

10 of our favorite interviews of the year are Robin Trower, Joe Louis Walker, Carolyn Wonderland, Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Tommy Castro, Samantha Fish, Tommy Castro, Mike Zito, Seth James and Sari Schorr.

I hope you enjoy. Wishing you all a healthy, safe and happy holiday season and new year. Thank you for all your support throughout the year.

Robin Trower
British guitar legend, Robin Trower is regarded as one of the most influential guitar players of all time. Trower’s signature fiery sound and style, once compared to Jimi Hendrix, transformed over the decades with his inspirational soloing style, his unique guitar sound. Revered as a masterful guitar player, the iconic bluesman roams the neck of his custom Fender Stratocaster, his music raw and real, going straight for the gut. His playing, his soloing is so distinctive, you could listen and know instantly it’s Robin Trower. His unique ability to convey emotion through song lyrics and fluid, powerful guitar playing, is known the world over.
Read the Interview Here 

Joe Louis Walker
Originally from San Francisco, Joe Louis Walker, Blues Hall of Fame inductee, and four-time Blues Music Award-winner, celebrates a career that exceeds a half century. His musical legacy as a prolific torchbearer for the blues is proven by his recorded catalog of 27 albums. A true powerhouse guitar virtuoso, unique singer, and prolific songwriter, he has toured the world extensively, performed at the world’s most renowned music festivals, and earned a legion of dedicated fans. He’s been nominated for Blues Music Awards a whopping 52 times. JLW has performed as a guest on Grammy-winning albums by B.B. King and James Cotton. He’s performed/collaborated with Lightnin’ Hopkins, Jimi Hendrix, Thelonious Monk, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Herbie Hancock, Tower of Power, Ike Tuner, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Buddy Miles, Otis Rush, Charlie Musselwhite, Steve Miller, John Mayall, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown and many more. His album,Eclectic Electric was released this year on Cleopatra Records and delivers another big serving of the talented guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter at the top of his game.
Read The Interview Here 

Carolyn Wonderland
Carolyn Wonderland, award-winning Texas guitar slinger, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, became the first ever female lead guitar player for blues legend John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. In a series of firsts, she’s also the first female guitar maestro to sign with Alligator Records in their 50-year history. Her new album, Tempting Fate was produced by Grammy-winning master roots musician, Dave Alvin. With powerful vocals and fiery guitar chops, Wonderland has been compared to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Janis Joplin but with her own style and twist. She recorded ten previous albums under her own name, four of which were produced by famed musician Ray Benson. Her spine-chilling, soulful vocals match her guitar prowess as well her talent for songwriting.
Read The Interview Here 

Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram
Grammy nominee, guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram has quickly become the defining blues voice of his generation. With jaw-dropping guitar chops and rich, soulful vocals, Ingram plays with unequaled passion and authenticity. By the time he turned 16, he was turning heads and winning awards, performing at the White House as part of a student delegation from the Delta Blues Museum. From his hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi to stages around the world, the 22-year-old has already headlined national tours and performed with friends including Vampire Weekend, Jason Isbell and Buddy Guy (with whom he appeared on Austin City Limits). He was interviewed by Sir Elton John on his Apple Music podcast, and released his sophomore album, ‘662’ on Alligator Records this year, his second produced by Grammy winner Tom Hambridge.
Read The Interview Here

Joanne Shaw Taylor
Critically acclaimed British guitarist, singer, songwriter Joanne Shaw Taylor has become one of the most sought after guitarists in the world of contemporary blues/rock. Discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at the age of 16, her music career took off with high praise from fans including Jimmy Cliff, Joe Bonamassa, Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox. With seven studio albums to her name, Joanne Shaw Taylor, is regarded as a formidable guitar player, a powerful and sultry vocalist, prolific songwriter and all around exceptional talent. Now based in Michigan, Taylor’s albums include Diamonds In The Dirt, Almost Always Never, The Dirty Truth, Reckless Heart and her 2021 release, The Blues Album produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, out on KTBA Records.
Read The Interview Here

Tommy Castro (Tommy Castro & The Painkillers)
Tommy Castro, multi award-winner, blues/R&B/rock & roll guitarist, singer, songwriter, is one of roots music’s most beloved and exciting artists. For blues fans, Castro needs no introduction. Famed not only for his gritty, impassioned vocals but for searing guitar work and innovative songwriting, Castro’s brand of electric blues and funk-infused R&B has captured devoted fans all over the world with his band, The Painkillers. From San Jose, CA, Tommy Castro has earned multiple Blues Music Awards for Blues Male Artist of the Year, Contemporary Blues Album of the Year, Band of the Year (with The Painkillers), and B.B. Entertainer of the Year. With 15 albums to his name, Castro released a special project this year, A Bluesman Came To Townout on Alligator Records.
Read The Interview Here 

Samantha Fish
Samantha Fish is one of the most electrifying and inventive artists of our time. An extraordinary guitarist, singer and songwriter, she has won tremendous critical acclaim and multiple awards, too many to list here. Riveting live, Fish owns the stage with grit and sass, blowing minds with her vocals, guitar chops, and compelling songs. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, she is often referred to as a blues artist but Fish’s albums and live shows feature multiple genres, including rock, country, funk and roots music. She flirts with tradition but pushes boundaries to create a sound that’s distinctly her own. With seven solo albums, she released Faster this year out on Rounder Records. A multi-talented artist, Samantha is also a producer and label owner of Wild Heart Records and has produced several artists in the roots/blues genres.
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Mike Zito
Blues/rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, Mike Zito has been blazing his blues trail to critical acclaim. A multiple award-winner, Zito is nominated for two 2021 Blues Music Awards for “Blues Rock Artist” and “Blues Rock Album” for his November 2019 release, Mike Zito And Friends, Rock N’ Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry featuring blues/rock luminaries such as Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Eric Gales, Robben Ford, Sonny Landreth, Luther Dickinson, and many more, out on Ruf Records. He released his new album, Resurrection this year on Gulf Coast Records/Hillside Global. With armfuls of solo albums to his name and his own fiery brand of blues/rock, Mike Zito also started his own record label in 2018, Gulf Coast Records with Guy Hale where he produces and records artists cutting edge artists, many of whom are Blues Music Award winners and nominees.
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Seth James
For years, a large grassroots following has been hip to Texas singer, songwriter and guitarist Seth James. His musical blend of Texas blues, R&B, rock, country soul and rootsy funk is infectious and downright superb. His newest album, Different Hat was released this year via Tiny Ass Records and produced by Kevin McKendree (Etta James, Buddy Guy, Lee Roy Parnell, Delbert McClinton, Tinsley Ellis.) It features world class musicians, including guests Lee Roy Parnell on slide guitar and Anson Funderburgh on guitar. Different Hat follows James’ 2019 release Good Life. Growing up on a working cattle ranch in Texas, his story is highly interesting and unique.
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Sari Schorr
New York-based, blues/rock vocalist and songwriter Sari Schorr has a powerful, deeply soulful voice with rich texture and a five-octave range. In 2106, Sari burst onto the blues/rock scene with her debut album Force of Nature, out on Manhaton Records, produced by the legendary producer, Mike Vernon (David Bowie, Eric Clapton, John Mayall, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Green). 2018 saw her critically acclaimed sophomore album, Never Say Never (Manhaton Records,) delve deeper into her personal life through insightful, vibrant songwriting, evoking passion and grit. Operatically trained, Schorr is no stranger to comparisons to Grace Slick or Janis Joplin. But this songstress has a sound and style all her own. She has released several videos this year which she directed and produced herself. A multi-talented artist, Schorr is also deeply involved in humanitarian efforts.
Read The Interview Here