- Artist Name: Swamp Doctor
- Hometown: London. Spiritual State: Louisiana
What project(s) are you currently working on?
Busy promoting my album ‘The Swamp Doctor’ as the singles and album are released. Silverfox Records my record company are putting together more visuals, designs and promotion as the first 2 singles have been very well received. A more difficult project at the moment is gathering the band for a return to live music as soon as possible. Great musicians are wanderers by nature, and I’m really looking forward to reconnecting this Autumn so we can get back to business.
Some happy moments I’ve seized have been to write new material for the next album. I have 8 songs ready and only a few left to do. It seems the times we live in are rich in heartache and deep irony, I aim to share our London experience over the past months with others similarly afflicted.
I have at least managed to get out and about to reclaim some public space to raise a voice, calling to account those who decide our fate, as well as rebuilding a social life under somewhat restrictive curfews and the live music desert they have created from a once-thriving industry. I miss that the most, listening to new talent and catching up with old favourites, hanging out with good friends with a critical ear.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?
I’ve played music since school and always wrote new songs as something to do that I’ve always enjoyed. Some songs have been published over the years but not enough to live by. However, I have played in many bands and solo gigs and maintained great friendships and enthusiasm for live music that’s offered the opportunity to hone a sound and style that convinced Silverfox Records to release this anthology of the Swamp Doctor’s unique blend of London and Louisiana. I remember early influences, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Elvis, the Beatles, Tina Turner and Tony Joe White, ringing in my head, songs and moods that I would listen to again and again, and made me want to learn guitar, sing and write like my heroes to capture some of their spirits from a London perspective.
If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?
I was working in housing management and tenancy advice until February 2020 when I became a full-time musician, little knowing what was about to ensue. I am glad I did and so far, have survived without any immediate loss or undue suffering. I plan to stick at it until my last guitar string.
What is your favourite downtime activity?
I love live music, socialising, and travel. At home, I do some drawing, listen to music, watch films and enjoy real food. Recently I have discovered social media and video conferencing, who knew?
Who is your biggest celebrity crush?
As a teenager it was Tessa, bassist in the Slits, or Blondie, nowadays it’s Taylor Swift when she does country, beautiful.
Who is your favourite sports team(s)?
Arsenal, born and bred. Just got newly minted silverware, thank you.
What is the last movie that you watched?
Soylent Green on DVD. Chuck Heston, Edward G Robinson, a dystopian nightmare set in a plague city ruled by ruthless corporations in the year 2022. I thought I might escape our current troubles. The last Cinema movie I saw back in January was JoJo Rabbit where Taika Waititi imagines a wartime German boy struggling with his mum’s choice to help a Jewish kid hide. Hilarious, and Scarlett Johansson as a mum, wonderful!
What is the last album you listened to?
I picked up a great CD at the used record store in Berwick Street, Folsom Prison Blues compilation with Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Jones, and Roger Miller and have been playing it all week.
If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Black and White (1969) by Tony Joe White, produced by Billy Swan for Monument Records It’s got everything, soul to blues, heartache to joy. My favourite, and Elvis’, being Polk Salad Annie, a swampy tale of Louisiana women gone bad. Love it.
What is the greatest country song of all time?
Anything by Woody Guthrie or Hank Williams’ I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry. ‘…. Did you ever see a robin weep….’
What has been your favourite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?
I have spent a lot time in Paris over the years loving the culture, music, history, people, food and wine. When I left school, I went to Paris and busked with my school buddy Patrick outside the Pompidou Centre where a fire-eating escapologist let us use his pitch every other hour and we made great money. We had a blast. I love walking, exploring and I had a friend who always wanted to dine on a Seine riverboat like Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn in Charade. It was very romantic, but, check your Euros, most expensive.
What is your favourite meal?
Tagliatelle Putanesca, hot and spicy, picante!
Who is your dream duet partner?
Dolly Parton or Emmy Lou Harris. Either would be great with my low voice. From the younger generation, it would have to be Miley Cyrus with her lovely country intonation with a modern Southern charm.
Who would you like to go on tour with?
Since Lemmy has sadly passed, supporting Motorhead is out, so Dolly Parton would be ideal and I think I could learn a huge amount from her live performance up close. Also, I hear she has the best tour buses around.
What is your ultimate career goal(s)?
Keep writing and get the Band up to Shape so we can get on the road. The Swamp doctor is the first of at least six albums of great music sufficient for making an honest living. I’d love to stay at Dollywood in the Smokey Mountain cabins for a week or two, meeting Dolly randomly in her park, like just passing, perfectly normal, that would be cool.
