10 Quick Ones with JOHN STRICKLAND of LULLWATER – August 2018

According to a recent press release: “Athens, GA based alternative rock band LULLWATER has released the official music video for their cover of PEARL JAM’s “Release,” off of the 1991 hit album TEN. “Release” features live Footage with Dave Krusen (Pearl Jam, Candlebox) and Kevin Martin (Candlebox), and was recorded at London Bridge Studios in Seattle, WA, where TEN was originally recorded, with engineering and mixing by Justin Davis.”  We get John to discuss new music, influences, and much more in our 10 Quick Ones…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

So we released our cover of “release” by Pearl Jam. Fans may or may not hear a similarity in the records right out of the gate, but it was recorded at London Bridge Studios in Seattle. LBS is the same studio that Pearl Jam Ten was recorded. If you google the live versions of Release fans can watch us playing the song with Kevin Martin (Candlebox) and Dave Krusen (Pearl Jam/ Candlebox).

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I’ve been a music fan for as long as I can remember. Playing music has always been therapeutic and emotionally satisfying for me. I don’t think there was ever a specific moment when I wanted to be a musician, it’s always been a part of me.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

My sister, right from the start. She’s older than me and always introduced me to new music. I owe a lot to her for exposing me to all kinds of music at an early age. As far as bands go, Pearl Jam is definitely up there for me. I remember when I heard “Ten” in my adolescent years and it totally blew me away. The Seattle grunge scene in the early 90’s heavily influenced me as a musician and writer. Growing up in the south, I would also list classic southern rock bands like Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers. Once I moved to Athens, Ga, 2 big influences for me were my favorite Athens bands, Dead Confederate and Drive By Truckers. Dead Confederate released “wrecking ball” it was like no other band I’ve listened to in Athens. Their live show was incredible and I became a total fanboy right out of the gate. Still am to this day.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

Eddie Vedder for sure.

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

Honest, raw, powerful hard rock with a grunge influence.

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Being able to play the guitar and sing out your feelings, frustrations, worries. Music has been the most wonderful creative outlet for me. When you play, everything kinda of disappears in that moment.

7. When the band is all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

We have a band house so there’s a lot of cooking out, grilling, and boozing. We all jump in together and have a good time. Between Lullwater and our other rock band friends, everyone is doing all the above haha.

8. If you weren’t a musician what would be your dream job?

Possibly acting, I used to be in drama clubs etc back in the day so that could be fun. I really can’t imagine being anything other than a musician in a band though.

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

Lullwater started from the ground floor. We had no famous uncle or connection in the music business so we had to learn trial by fire so to speak. There are dozens of things I would do over but I had to struggle to learn valuable lessons in this business. An absolute certain “do over” for me would have been to not be so naive when the band started. We got tied up with the shadiest label and had to get attorneys to get out of it. We uncovered so much fraud that it made our head spin. Again, learned a valuable lesson from that whole experience.

10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for anyone record in history, which would you choose– and what does that record mean to you?

I would say Ten by Pearl Jam. It had such a powerful impact on me and still does. That band and album changed who I was and who I became because of it.

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Category: Interviews