There
is so much energy in John Németh and his band it's hard to explain why
they haven't exploded yet. And after seeing and experiencing their live
performance it just defies logic that these musicians don't end their
set by spontaneously combusting into volcanic ash onstage. Pure and
simple: John Nemeth's voice and harp playing is as hot and furious as
any furnace and his music as captivating and enjoyable as anything
burning up the national Blues scene today. Read on and learn how Nemeth
feeds the fire:
Blues
Blast: Your style draws as much from classic soul and r & b as it
does from the blues. Who were your biggest influences growing up and who
do you listen to now ?
John
Németh: My first influences were Junior Wells, Freddie King, Magic
Sam, B.B.King, T.Bone Walker and Little Walter. After a while I got into
Otis Redding, Percy Sledge, James Carr, Big Joe Turner, Nat King Cole
and Fats Domino. A few country artists got me too. George Jones, Hank
Williams, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. Then I started getting into
some other cats like Kim Wilson, Rick Estrin, Paul deLay, Bill Clarke,
Robert Cray, Junior Watson, Anson Funderburgh and Elvin Bishop.
BB:
When you write a song do you hear all the instrumental arrangements, the
harp parts, the lyrics and music in one inspiration or do you start
smaller and build to completion ?
JN:
I start small and personal. ll my songs start with a vocal hook. The
melody and the hook happen pretty much simultaneously. Then I work up
the chorus. Once the chorus is finished I tell the story in the verses
and maybe include a bridge. The groove and the style may change a few
times till I get the right chemistry with the the melody and phrasing. A
song may start as a ballad and wind up an uptempo or the other way
around. I change keys and feels. It's a very cool process. Then the
instrumentation and production follows. In the end the song must have an
energy and flow.
BB:
You've been called "the best white blues singer in history". What do you
feel is your true place in music history ?
JN:
I am honored by all the fantastic press I've received. I work hard to be
the best I can be. This music is my life and without it I don't know
what would have ever become of me. But I do believe the best is still
out there somewhere waiting to be discovered. Being a blues singer is a
special thing. My place in music history. Wow. It's something I've never
thought about. I may be grouped with many artists who never gave up on
the coolest music style in the world. Or maybe just one of the many
revivalists that the music has seen over the centuries to come.
BB:
Your harp playing has been compared to Sonny Boy Williamson and Little
Walter. Is this an accurate statement ?
JN:
I play blues harp. In the beginning I tried to sound like Little Walter
and Sonny Boy. Now I try and sound like myself. My style has changed
quite a bit. Especially with the real funky blues and soul that I've
been doing as of late.
BB:
What is the relationship between your vocals and your harp playing in
your songs ?
JN:
The harmonica is an extension of the song. First comes the song then the
vocal and then the harp if the song could use the harp.All the blues I
play has harp. Only half the soul numbers have harp.
BB:
Tell me about those two great guitarists you play with Junior Watson and
Bob Welch. Will both be on your next CD ?
JN:
I have had the great fortune of working with some fantastic guitar
players. Junior Watson gave me my first big tour opportunity. I opened a
show for Junior in my hometown of Boise, ID. After that he asked me to
go on tour with him. He has helped me out tremendously in my career. He
appears on two of my recordings "Come and Get It" and "Magic Touch".
Junior is simply one of the best and most creative guitarists out there
in the blues genre. His legions of emulators are a testament to his
talent. Bob Welch. I first heard Bob playing in RJ Mischo's band. I
heard him performing Earl Hooker's "Universal Rock". He had "it". That
was in 2008. I needed a great guitarist that would slog it out doing 250
days on the road. He performed remarkably and we recorded twice
together. On "Love me Tonight" and "Name The Day". Bob and I really have
wonderful chemistry together. By far, the most underrated blues
guitarist in my mind. Most guitarists don't fully understand how great
Bob is until they try to learn his parts. He is unique. As to who will
be the next guitarist I record with well I will surprise you !!!!
BB:
What's in the future for John Nemeth ?
JN:
Lord only really knows. I will continue beating up the road and
recording. I feel fortunate just to have the opportunity to perform so
often. I thank the fans, the road band (AC Myles, Nick Fishman, and
Tommy Folen), Blind Pig Records and Intrepid Artist for that.
BB:
You've just added your first child to the family last Fall. How has this
changed your career ? Have you written any songs about your latest
inspiration yet ?
JN:
I am so blessed with a wonderful wife Jaki and my baby Grace. Well the
first few months had my wife and me pretty wore out. I have written some
very enlightening tunes with my daughter in mind. It sure changes your
perspective. My career is still much the same. I wish I could be home
more but I have to hit the road to pay the bills so mama can stay home.
Day care in the San Francisco Bay area is high like the rent and worth
it. Now I have great little responsibilities when I am at home and let's
just say I have become much more efficient with my music time.
BB:
For the past four years you've been a powerhouse at the Blues Blast
Music Awards winning Best New Artist and Rising Star awards in 2004 and
being nominated for at least an award in every year since. Why does your
sound go over so well in Chicago the birthplace of the blues ?
JN:
I just try to write and perform some cool music. Fortunately for me, the
readers and nominators at Blues Blast think it's cool too. It may be the
fact that I approach my music as a blues singer. Most of my music is
rooted in blues delivery and attitude.
BB:
You've opened for Robert Cray, Keb Mo' and Earl Thomas. Any good stories
you'd care to share ?
JN:
All those guys are tremendous talents. It was a pleasure to meet them
and open for them. Unfortunately, at the time it was all business. Two
bands on the road trying to keep it together, you know what I'm saying.
I have gotten to know Earl since then and consider him a real good
friend.
BB:
You've gigged all over the U.S., Europe, Canada and Asia. How are the
blues audiences all over the world different ? Any good stories you want
to share ?
JN:
Lot's of good stories but one of my favorites took place in Thailand.
Walking into a bar and a Thai band was playing some great pop. I got up
with them and called a blues and they knew exactly what to play. The
blues is such a powerful thing and without it the modern world would not
have pop music as they know it.
BB:
You are from Boise, ID and grew up singing in a Catholic Church. What
kind of music scene is there out there in Boise and where did you hear
the blues growing up ?
JN:
I went to St. Mary's elementary. Catholic schools could barely keep the
doors open. We had classes of ten to fifteen students. Only devout
Catholics and troubled students went there. We had some great teachers.
Sister Colletta had us sing every morning. Two patriotic songs and two
religious ones. She would teach us harmony. That's when I knew I could
sing. Boise had a great music scene. From 1993 to 2000 I was playing
blues five to seven nights a week in town. Oh. The good old days! There
were at least eight clubs to perform at. We had house gigs Monday thru
Thursday and would alternate weekends on the circuit. Boise had a blues
society and a couple of bands that worked the circuit. Jason Ricci
played in a band called Streetwise. Boise really grew and changed. Now
the Catholic Schools have waiting lists.
BB:
Where can everyone keep up with your career and gigs ?
Hope
Waits - Introducing Hope Waits
Chris
Duarte – Blues In The Afterburner
Andreas
Arlt – All Time Favorites
Wes
Lee - The Shack Sessions
D’Mar
& Gill - Real Good Friend
The
Chicago Kingsnakes - Blue Mosaic