A Dirty Dozen with JEFF LOSAWYER from VOODOO MOONSHINE – July 2022

According to a recent press release: “Voodoo Moonshine, a “bluesy groove rock band”, currently from Florida/Georgia was formed in Memphis, TN in 2003 by lead guitarist, Jeff Losawyer. The debut album, Decade of Decay, was released in March 2005, and was well received throughout Europe. A tour was booked, including shows in England, Ireland, and Scotland. Due to the album’s success, they were voted “Number One Band” seven times in England, and six times in Japan. In mid 2005, Voodoo Moonshine was introduced in Dublin, Ireland and quickly became one of the top three requested bands there. Pedro Espada on vocals, Jeff Losawyer on guitar, Hector Acevedo on bass, drummer Eddie Cruise rounds out the rhythm section. Voodoo Moonshine has completed their full-length sophomore CD Bottom of the Barrel which was released on February 4, 2022. There is a lot of talk for what the future has in store for Voodoo Moonshine.” We get founder Jeff band 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?

It took 10 years for me to finish this album. Hidden Nugget is that Locked and Loaded was originally released off the first CD Decade of Decay.

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

My mother bought me a guitar on Christmas day in 1984. The day after Christmas when I got my guitar in 1984.

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

I remember seeing a Rush Live Concert on video, can’t remember what tour it was, but it was pretty amazing. It didn’t guide my musical taste because I was more influenced by 80’s Heavy Metal.

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

If he were still alive, it would be Jim Croce, because he could tell a life story in three minutes and thirteen seconds.

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

It all depends on my mood, it changes daily, it all depends on what I feel like doing at that time. If I could, restoring Hot Rods would be my favorite activity, but that is not an option at the current time. To unwind, I like to sit in my grandfather’s chair, and have quiet time. I also love to unwind with my animals.

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?

Our music is just pure raw rock and roll. We sounded like Buckcherry, but it didn’t make me cringe because they are a good band, but I don’t think we sound like Buckcherry.

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?

Who cooks – The women, Who gets the drinks in – The women, First to crack out the acoustic guitar – The guitar player.

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

I’ve never been starstruck.

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?

Best part of being a musician is completing your songs/work. My dream job would be restoring Hot Rods.

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 really don’t want an interviewer to ask me anything real personal, so there is really no question that I’ve wanted them to ask me. Tired of answering the location of the band, where the band started, and where the band ended up.

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?

Putting my career on hold unnecessarily, other than that I wouldn’t change anything, even the shitty moments, because it was bound to happen and you learn from it.

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?

Led Zeppelin II. That’s the one that I would want to be a part of.  It means, complete freedom to write any type of music, song, genre, without any restrictions.

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Category: Interviews