JP Soars is not a typical blues guitarist. He has a diverse musical background that encompasses a multitude of influences. “I love T-bone Walker, Jesse May Hemphill, Wes Montgomery, Django Reinhardt, Muddy Waters, Johnny Guitar Watson, Guitar Slim and Louis Jordan. But I also love Tito Puente, Miles Davis, Hank Williams, Black Sabbath and Slayer,” states the Florida-based guitar slinger. Soars toured the globe and recorded several records with some of the most extreme metal bands in the world before finding his home in the blues. It is these attributes that are giving Soars an instantaneously recognizable style. “When I first heard JP Soars I knew right away that he was separate from the rest of the pack,” said the great Jimmy Thackery.
Soars is currently touring and has just released a well-received new album, Southbound I-95 (Soars High Records). He found time to participate in our 5 Quick Questions series recently.
BEN: You’ve been on a Summer-long U.S. tour promoting your new album, Southbound I-95. Any cool new blues venues out there to give a shout-out about to your fellow musicians?
JP: It’s been a great tour, folks have been very receptive and responsive to the new CD and the new tunes. There’s a neat little place in Lima NY called Fanatics that has started hosting Blues shows over the past couple years. It’s a nice intimate venue where the folks are up close and personal, the sound is great, the food is wonderful, and the owner is very passionate about the music and really appreciative. There’s also this place in Alma, Arkansas very close to where I grew up called Warren’s Rec Room. It’s out in the country in the middle of nowhere. There’s not much else around so the folks come out and really support the music. The food is awesome, it’s got the feel of a hoedown in a barn. Like they used to do in the old days. They always treat the bands extremely well and the sound is great! A real cool experience that sticks with you for a while after playing there.
BEN: What sort of an overall sound and vibe were you shooting for on Southbound I-95?
JP: Not limiting ourselves. Trying to stretch out a bit and explore. Pushing the envelope of the blues and roots. We recorded eighteen tunes and then whittled the down to the fourteen that are on the album. Basically, at the end of the day going with the motto of “if it feels good to us it’s probably gonna feel good to somebody else.” But at the same time having it be cohesive. I think the vocals really tie the whole thing together. Also, to let the vibe of living here in Florida shine through a bit.
BEN: Being a working/touring musician as long as you have, what would you say about the music business has become more difficult, and what now seems easier?
JP: I think it’s a bit harder to sell CDs now, especially to the younger folks. It’s more difficult to get royalties and publishing revenues than in the past. With all the Spotify, You Tube, etc. I think it’s much easier to get the music out there to the people. The technology that’s available to us today in the way of recording and social media, etc. allows for the DIY folks to be able to prosper.
BEN: As a Floridian, you seem well-suited to answer this: why does it seems like Florida is the current epicenter of the Blues world, with so many clubs and festivals presenting live music?
JP: I think having really good weather all year round helps. This is also a tourist state. Lots of people coming and going. When it’s Winter and things slow down most everywhere else, it’s the opposite for us here in Florida. The Winter time is our season. Lots of folks come down here from up North for the great weather. It’s also a big state. That provides us with a lot of places to play. We’ve got some great bands down here, lots of Blues Societies and a lot of older folks living here, which as we know is the primary age demographic that supports and listens to this kind of music. I love it here and feel blessed to get make my living playing music.
BEN: Peer into a crystal ball and tell us where you’d like your career to be at, say, five years from now?
JP: I’d like to continue making my living playing music and bringing joy to people. Putting smiles on people’s faces. Continue to write music, record that music and share it with people. I consider this a privilege and a blessing. Something I certainly don’t take for granted. It’s what I love to do and hope to keep doing it for many years to come. http://www.jpsoars.com/ https://www.facebook.com/jpsoars/
