Joey Landreth – Interview Artists and Luthiers
Joey Landreth – Interview Artists and Luthiers
Joey Landreth is a Singer/Songwriter & Musician from Winnipeg / Manitoba Canada.
He was part of the The Bros. Landreth band with his elder brother David. The brothers share vocals, while Joey plays guitar and David plays bass. Country and folk music group, their album Let It Lie won the Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year – Group at the 2015 Juno Awards.
He decided in 2016 to go on solo and has made 2 new albums.
FAMILY: ROOTS & PRESENT TIME
Joey Landreth – Interview Artists and Luthiers : Music was always present in your life. We read at some point that since your early age you were going to your father (Wally Landreth) shows to hear him play.
The influence of your dad is present in your album? Are there songs in your different albums dedicated to this part of your life and to your father’s influence? And to the music heritage he transmitted you?
My father’s influence on my playing, singing and writing will always be a part of what I do.
We listened to so much music growing up that his heroes accidentally became mine! Through osmosis, I guess. In the early days of my career, people often told me that they could hear the Little Feat influence in my music. In all honesty, I didn’t really get into Little Feat on my own until my mid-late 20s.
I realized later on though that my partents listened to so much of that music that it just leaked in!
My dad sings a little bit like Lowell George and I sound a little bit like my dad… so there you have it! Genetics!
Do you have special moments you’d like to share with us?
There are so many wonderful memories. I think back often to growing up in the little 400 square foot house that I was raised in – listening to music absolutely cranked with my mom. She often would vacuum the house with music on loud enough that it could make it over the appliance. I’ll never forget the way the low-end sounded when I put my ear to the floor.
Similarly, the sound of my dad rehearsing with his band upstairs while my brother and I fell asleep in our basement room, directly underneath the band. That is also a very special memory.
Joey Landreth – Interview Artists and Luthiers : It seems that Dinner time were always animated in your home: The Nightfly by Donald Fagan, A Go Go by John Scofield with Medeski Martin & Wood, Robben Ford records, Little Feat … Are you inspired by these musicians in your own compositions? Some specials songs related to these artists?
Again, I can’t help but have that music seep through into my music. It’s like language in that way. I didn’t necessarily love that music when I was a kid but it was everywhere all the time. It just rubbed off on us! It’s like an accent.
You just had a baby girl, did you write some songs for her? Except less hours of sleep 🙂 did it also change your way to play or to compose music? What do you sing her to sleep? As a father, what would you like to pass on to her from your life as a musician in terms of values?
Yes I did! Her name is Joanie, named after my grandmother – Joan. Those who loved her called her Joanie. I have written so many little melodies for her. All the late nights – rocking her to sleep. The ideas just come flooding in! She’s now just under a year and a half old – 17months- and watching her play has been insanely inspiring to me. She doesn’t care what she looks like or sounds like, she just plays with 100% joy.
I have been trying to channel that in my playing and performing. Sometimes she’ll randomly break into laughter. I have no idea over what but that’s something that I want to bring into my playing. That spontaneous joy! As for what I’d like to pass on to her… that’s a tough one. I really honestly don’t care if she is interested in music or not although she really does seem to love it!
I was very obsessive about music for a great many years and while I think that helped me develop the skills that I have on my instruments, I don’t think it was very helpful for my artistry.
I think there is a very special thing that happens when you just let go, stop worrying and play from a place of honesty. Not from a place of theory, concepts and expectations. So if there was one thing I’d love to pass on to her it would be balance.
Our passions are nothing if we don’t have a life to live.
Joey Landreth – Interview Artists and Luthiers : Let’s go back to your teenage years … When and where did you learn to play music? Did you play in a band at school?
Was the guitar your first instruments? Did you try and play others instruments? We read that you were a huge fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan when you were 14 years old, how did this influence your music?
I started piano lessons around age 5. That was my first love. I started on the guitar at age 8. I played trumpet at age 10 in the school band and started playing guitar in the school jazz band at age 13. I lived and breathed SRV for many years though, much to my own disappointment, I never managed to sound like him! I just loved his intensity and phrasing. I still do!
You were only 25 (when you and your brother Dave worked on your first independent project The Bros. Landreth. The band was immediately successful, winning a Juno with your first album. The band rose quickly to success turning the heads of musical heavy-weights such as Bonnie Raitt, John Oates and Jimmie Vaughan. Did this success change you way in composing music? And how do you manage this success ?
While those achievements are points of pride, most certainly, I’ve never been too worried about that kind of stuff.
Music has always been an intensely personal thing for me. I really just chase around things that I find interesting and challenging. I can’t help it!
How complementary are you with your brother?
My brother is my favourite collaborator.
Even the projects he doesn’t work on – he is still a part of in some way.
What are you listening to at the moment? Can you share with us your latest musical discovery?
I love Madison Cunningham. She is a monstrous singer, guitar player and writer. I’m a huge fan of hers.
TOURS & GEAR
We know that you are a huge fan of gear! Can you tell us your favorite gear at the moment?
My Sorokin guitars are my favourites! I now have three and they are equally special. I have also recently gotten into Maxon SD-9. I bought two of the analogman modded ones and they are so fun. It’s not an easy pedal to play – they are easy to make sound bad but when you get it dialled in just right, it’s a very cool pedal! I’m also working on a fuzz pedal with my friend Dan of DanDrive fame and it’s such a badass pedal.
What audio gear do you take on studio or tour?
At least one of my Sorokin’s always come out.
A two-rock amp(different models as sometimes I borrow from friends when I’m over seas) and a plethora of pedals!
Can you describe your ideal pedal board? and do you have any advice for guitars players minimum gear they should have?
That is such a personal thing. I’m happy with no pedals and I’m happy with a shit ton! It really depends on what you are hoping to do. I think the minimum is a guitar, cable and an amp. Maybe a tuner;)
DISCOGRAPHY
LATEST ALBUM Hindsight – 2019
You recorded your album back to Winnipeg, it seems that it feet perfectly to you humble personality. You could have chosen to do it in a huge Los Angeles or Nashville studio but you decided to go back to your home place; why? did you recorded it with friends?
Winnipeg is not the most famous city in the world, that’s for sure but it is full of world class talent.
What I love about Winnipeg is that it is very humble. I have spent a ton of time in both LA and Nashville and there are people just as good in Winnipeg, if not, dare I say. Even better! Because music is very personal and I have a very clear picture of what I want to do, I’m not tempted by the chic of these big cities.
Don’t get me wrong, I have many friends and collaborators in both places but, Winnipeg is home and it’s where I do my best work.
No big band and big group, just 3 of you playing. Why did you choose to have such a formation?
I absolutely love a trio. A trio is nimble and is capable of improvising at lightening speed.
When you start to add more people, it get’s harder to move tougher without having to plan certain things out. We even improvise the background harmonies sometimes! Live only, of course.
Guitar and Vocals – Joey Landreth
Bass – Meg Dolovich
Drums and Vocals – Roman Clarke
SLIDE GUITAR
Sonny Landreth (same last name but not the same family), was an inspiration for you and slide music? What is your favorite song from him?
Yes! Absolutely. Landreth is not a very common name where I’m from so, our family was very intrigued when we discovered that there was a virtuosic guitar player with our family name. I grew up listening to so much of his music along with all the other artists previously mentioned.
I tend to listen more to albums as a whole than individual songs… My favourite records are probably Sound of 1-10, Levee Town and grant street. It’s all great stuff but those are the records we had!
Are there other slide artists you admire? Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder, Lowell George, Derek Trucks, Aubrey Ghent, Aubrey Ghent, Jr.( AJ Ghent), Chuck Campbell, David Lindley.
And some songs you’d like our readers to discover?
Just dive in, it’s all great!
LESSON
I know lot of people would love to play and learn music with you! Do you still teach music? And how to book some lessons with you?
I don’t teach much these days, between touring and being a family person, there’s not much time. But if I do have time available you can book at joeylandreth.com/lessons
What is the main advise you could give a student? Do you have any working methods to recommend? Any advice for amateur or professional musicians regarding learning?
Just follow your nose. If you think something is cool, chase after it.
There are so many should and should nots out there but I don’t think that’s at all what music is about. It’s only about self expression and you can only truly express yourself if you are speaking with your own voice. And don’t be afraid to take a break.
Your life as a musician won’t end if you decide to go for a bike ride to clear your head. Invest in your friendships and your relationships because they will be an endless supply of inspiration.
GUITAR SHOWS
You also did some demos? / masterclass? show? during the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) in Los Angeles, could you tell us what amazing product you discover there?
There are too many to name… If you go to my instagram page (@joeylandreth) you can do a deep dive and see all the stuff I love to use.
Are there some other guitar shows you are regularly attending? And what are you looking for when you go to a guitar exhibition ?
Not lately. I have become a little weary of the trade shows. We seem to be forgetting that it’s the musician that makes the music, not the gear. Of course, I LOVE gear but only when it serves as inspiration to make music!
LUTHIERS / INSTRUMENTS
As you know, an unavoidable question for us 😉 do you have any luthiers whose work you particularly admire?
Alex Sorokin, Jordan McConnell, Collings, Josh Williams. These are all favourites of mine!
Can you tell us if you have your own luthier’s instruments? If so, which ones? And did you have some made especially for you? And what were your requests and could you explain why you chose them?
I have guitars built by all the above mentioned builders. They are all world class and just lovely people.
What was your approach to work with a luthier rather than another one? A personal encounter? An original model? A particular sound ?
It usually starts with a relationship first. We have to get along! I do tend to lean more towards the side of traditional but that’s not always the case.
Can you tell us which album or songs you recorded with luthier instruments? And why did you choose these instruments?
All of my records have been recorded with these instruments! It’s hard to pinpoint exactly which one on which record now.
Do you take care of your own adjustments and repairs of your instruments or do you always call upon the services of a luthier? How do you do it anyway if you have a problem on tour?
I do all my own setups, pickup changes/electronic work. Anything that requires more carpentry I’ll take to my dad who is a really great repair man. There are also a couple guys in Winnipeg who run a shop. Their names are Allan Beardsell and Lucas Roger. They have done some great work for me as well and are just wonderful guys.
And for the amps, do you also turn to custom manufacturers? If so, which ones? and can you tell us why you prefer them ?
Two-Rock is my main amp of choice these days. I also use locally built amps called Revv as well as have used Victory Amps out of the UK. I love vintage Fender stuff as well but they don’t often leave the studio these days.
CURRENT NEWS
Let’s talk about your current activities, can you tell us about your next tour? Can you tell us where we can see you in the coming months?
My Brother and I released a new Bros. Landreth record back in may. It’s called Come Morning and we have been travelling a little in support of that record.
We’ll be over in Europe in September although, sadly for us there is no show in France!!
Joey Landreth – Interview Artists and Luthiers
We invite you to follow Joey on his various social networks:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeylandrethmusic
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeylandreth/
- Website: https://www.thebroslandreth.com and http://www.joeylandreth.com
In the coming weeks, as for others luthiers for plucked string instruments, luthiers for bowed string instruments, amps & effects makers, wood & supplies dealers, lutherie events, jobs, schools & teachers subscribers on our site, you will be able to follow our series of mini-interviews dedicated to the fascinating world of luthiers.
See you soon…
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