SA Music Blog

Here’s a guy I’ve became a huge fan of the last couple of months. I’m so happy to see someone writing music that can make you weep and smile in the same night, but whatever emotion he awakes in you, it will definitely leave an lasting impression.

How long have you been playing and writing music?

For 11 and a half years.

You’ve been in a number of bands playing different genres, who or what would you say is your biggest influence/inspiration?

Life, Love and everything else is the biggest inspiration but musically I would say Rufus Wainwright, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen, Ryan Adams and most recently Fleet Foxes.

What genre do you classify yourself in now?

Folk/Alt-Country/Blues/Indie (It’s always difficult to pin my sound down to one consistent genre.)

What is your favorite song of yourself?

Now that is a tough one but right now my favourite to play live is “If I cannot make Love to you anymore, I don’t want to make Love at all”

What has been your favorite gig to date and why?

WOW, you are really wracking my brain here but about a year ago I had the privilege to open up for my favourite SA band – Taxi Violence – at the Durbanville Kunskafee. They played an unplugged set. I played my heart out and had an awesome gig. The stars were aligned that night. There was such an awesome appreciation of my music from the crowd that night and the place was packed. Obviously all there for Taxi Violence 

Where do you see music going in SA and the world?

Even the purist has to recognize that the legacy of indie CD stores is something of the past. The majority of people are downloading now and we as musicians, national and international, have to constantly come up with new ways to grab new listeners and gather some form of pocket money. I believe or rather, I would like to believe, that SA artists right now, are some of the most forward thinking bunch of guys and gals that this country has ever seen. The music that is coming out of toilets, garages and small indie studios is amazing and constantly getting better. Bands are becoming more and more pro-active and being very smart with marketing that is fresh. I do believe though that this country needs more financial backing from the government and other large companies and funds and not just for artists who want to be the next pop idol. Basically a better infrastructure than we are seeing right now for artists on the fringe. Unfortunately, a lot of bands and artists still feel the need to move overseas because they know they will be better received in Europe or the US. I would like to see that change in the next 5-10 years.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams, Fleet Foxes, Blind Willie Johnson, Pete Molinari, Josh Ritter and Rachel Yamagata

How often do you practice?

Every chance I get, which can be every day some weeks.

Any plans to put out an album soon?

Indeed, I have great plans to release my 2nd full length album in early 2009.

Any Tours coming up?

Once the album is recorded and released, I would Love to take it on the road. There are no confirmed dates at present but I hope to take a road trip from CT to Joburg and play as many great venues as possible.

Any particular artists you like playing with live?

Taxi Violence, Andy Lund, Mr Cat and The Jackal, Mama Know Nothing, Tonight We Die (Acoustic), Dane Taylor, Three More White Guys, Shy Guevaras and Cabins In The Forest.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Well, ideally I would like to be recording albums and touring nationally and internationally full time and working with establishing young bands to a more national level!

When and where can we catch you playing again?

Right now, as I write this, I have no booked dates but my music is all over the web. Listen @ www.myspace.com/joshuagrierson and watch me on www.youtube.com (Search: Joshua Grierson) The most recent video is my stint on the now almost famous Rikki’s Session!
Thank You for the opportunity to expose myself a little more!