Almost A Dirty Dozen with JB from BROTHER HAWK – October 2019

According to a recent press release: “Four piece Atlanta band BROTHER HAWK released a new single and video, Like Water, through the cultural commentary pros over at pop matters. With raging riffs and huge hooks, their music has been described as, “the sunset that the hero rides into.” Combining Southern and post-rock influences, this new track is no exception and dropped with a mellow video so you can jam along to it.” We get guitarist JB to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

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?

Our latest release is called Big Trouble Sessions. It was recorded live and filmed over two days at Big Trouble Recording in Atlanta, GA with TJ Elias. The best hidden nugget is actually in the videos that accompany the EP. In this new session we included a song called “The Black Dog” from our last album that my father Joe played harmonica on. He died two years ago, and when his part in the song would happen you see a close up of a picture of him on my pedal board.

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

I grew up in a family that was all about music. My Mom and Dad were always playing great records, Neil Young, Johnny Winter, B.B. King, and my Dad was a harmonica player. Music was always a big deal for my family and something we would do together. I tried drums and piano at a very early age, but nothing really stuck until i picked up the guitar at age 9. I actually got my first guitar that year for Christmas so Nick (keyboards) and i could start our first band together. I think the first time i realized i wanted to be a musician was seeing Guns ‘n Roses on farm aid in 1990. Then i saw Stevie Ray Vaughan on Austin City Limits a few years later and that’s when i realized i was gonna be a guitar player.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

NEIL FUCKING YOUNG. I’ve always admired the freedom he brings to making music. You can tell he makes what he feels and doesn’t really worry about anything else. Just raw expression. My Mom, Dad, and Brother love him too so his music is very special to me in that it makes me feel close to them always.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Neil Young, The Black Crowes, The The, David Rawlings & Gillian Welch, and Talk Talk.

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

Neil Young of course, just so i could see the magic happen with my own two eyes.

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

The best thing about being a musician are those brief euphoric moments when something you’ve been working hard on finally comes together. That feeling that you just made something beautiful that didn’t exist a moment before. Chasing that dragon is the main thing that keeps me going!

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

LOL. I usually cook, although James and Nick are both great cooks too. The drinks don’t happen too often for us but usually they come from someone outside the band, and none of us do that last thing.

8. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

Every time James rolls into band practice. He’s the real rock star of this outfit.

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

Wildlife Photographer

10. 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”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Honestly any time I haven’t been able to find the patience I need. When you want something so badly it’s easy to get frustrated, but you still don’t ever wanna force something or roll it out before it’s time.

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

Neil Young – Tonight’s the Night for sure! I’d get to see all those shows, all the different versions of songs they tried, shit that didn’t make it to the record that only people who were there have ever heard. That’s a family favorite, one of a few CD’s Dad always kept in the truck. I can’t even really explain what that means to me.

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Category: Interviews