A Dirty Dozen with BEAU NAIR – July 2022

According to a recent press release: “After years on the road crisscrossing the United States playing Honky Tonks, saloons, pool halls, and trailer parks alike, prolific outlaw country singer-songwriter Beau Nair released his debut album Truth Or Nair today. Beau kicked off the release of his debut album earlier this year with the release of his first single “I’m So Hard” following a premiere with Vents Magazine and Ground Sounds. Beau followed the release of “I’m So Hard” with his second single “Funk You” that featured a music video from director Kii Arens who has worked with legendary artists like, Chuck Berry, AC/DC, Paul McCartney and more! After the first two successful releases Beau is finally ready to unleash his debut album to the world. Beau Nair is not your run of the mill Country artist. At an early age he mastered the bass guitar and decided that he was going to bring something to country music that it had always sorely lacked: FUNK. In marrying the two genres, Beau Nair created Funktry, a style to unify his sweet melodies and saucy lyrics with a groove so deep it’ll leave marks on your sphincter. No better is that uniquely Beau Nair Funktry heard than on his debut album Truth Or Nair.” We get Beau to discuss new music, influences, and 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 you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Well right on the first listen they’re definitely gonna grab themselves and possibly the person next to them. But they can’t possibly grab all the Easter Eggs I drop, at least not on the first pass. As to hidden nuggets, I have crafted a web of tasty nuggets to draw the most casual listener into a state of enrapturement unrivaled in modern Country music. You come diggin’ for nuggets, you gonna find ‘em, buddy! References to some of my favorite things like Three’s Company, The Lord of the Rings, and the Spice Girls can be found peppered throughout my music.

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

It’s easy to say I got into music for the sex, drugs and rock & roll. It just happens to be true! However, I came to respect the craft of songwriting; the turn of a lyric into a philosophical kernel of forbidden truth to be planted in the tender mind of the listener to eventually bloom into a flower of mental evolution. And lots of pussy. The moment I realized I wanted to be a musician was when I was a youngster and I watched the movie Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band with the BeeGees. That shit blew my mind and made me want to be the success story I have become. And yes, I got that BeeGee pousoir like a mofo. How deep is MY love, you feel me?

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

Well, there were many touchstones along the way. Jim Reeves was an early influence, just a tremendous talent. Then I’d cite my fixation with The Partridge Family, my love of the band Rush and that wild road trip where I listened to “Sausalito Summernight” by Diesel and “Born to Be Alive” by Patrick Hernandez on cassette for 14 hours straight. Had to take a long Allman Brothers cleanser to wash that one down.

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

As you may know, I write, perform and produce my own music so I have never collaborated with any other artist. That being said, if Emma Bunton of the Spice Girls would do a duet with me, I think my heart and loins would just burst. I’d gladly work with Sporty too, such a voice!

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I am a world class bodyboarder and I love to ride the wild surf. Whenever I am back in California, I always make time to get on the boog and drop into some tubular beach burritos, usually while shouting “To Gondor!” but that’s just my personal touch. I do love the Lord of the Rings, I’ve read the books many times. So yea, reading and boogieboarding!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I use the word “Funktry” to label my hot sweaty brand of funky Country, so I’d probably start there. Bringing deep funk bass into Country music is my endeavor to break loose the narrow white asses within. As far as comparisons to cringe, hasn’t been many. One guy said I was like Ray Stevens fronting Tower of Power but I think he might have been out of his cotton-pickin’ mind.

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

That would be me, me and me. I am a band of one creating all the magic and the madness out of thin air. Actually, the air is kind of thick, redolent with the smell of high-quality ganja, fresh brewed coffee and the stink of hot, sweaty funk. Just the way I like it!

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

I saw Geddy Lee from Rush and just stood there paralyzed, grinning like a maniac. Not a word peeped out of my mouth. I was right back to 15 years old playing Fly By Night in my bedroom. By the time I mustered up the courage, he was gone. Don’t even know what I would have said. Probably just apologized for being buck naked backstage. Wild night!

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part is the sex. No wait- the drugs. Well, then there’s the rock & roll so… hard to say. I think hearing people singing my songs is one of the true thrills for me. I don’t think I’ll ever retire but if I decided to change lanes, I’d probably go back to teaching Sex Ed to elderly Alzheimer’s patients at the nursing home. What a rush!

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I’ve always wanted an interviewer to ask about specific chord changes in my songs. The answer is Gm7 to C7 followed by a big fat Fmaj9. I’m tired of answering questions about whether or not my penis is insured. Like I have previously stated, I have a huge policy with Loins of London.

11. 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?

I have no regrets and I’m not ashamed of any of it. My life made me who I am and I like what I have become. I would take a “do over” on the time I made curfew by leaving the party early and not going to third base with Betty Lou. She was hotter than an Oklahoma BBQ and just as spicy. Or so I imagined.

12. 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?

Oh man that is a hard one. I’d probably say the soundtrack to Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band cause seeing Bernard Purdie and Wilbur Bascomb jam on that stuff would put me way over the top. That record (and movie) means a lot to me, hit me during my most formative years and became a touchstone for my success. I have the poster on my wall and everything!

BEAU NAIR LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

Category: Interviews