FEATURE -- Selwyn Birchwood
Interview |
Selwyn Birchwood injects the blues with personality and perspective
By Eric Schelkopf
The future of the blues is in the capable hands of 29-year-old Florida
native Selwyn Birchwood.
Birchwood started garnering attention when he toured with blues legend
Sonny Rhodes at the age of 19. Last year, Birchwood won the esteemed
International Blues Challenge.
The fresh energy and passion that Birchwood brings to the blues is on
full display on Don't Call No
Ambulance, his debut CD for Chicago-based Alligator Records.
Birchwood will perform
July 31 at S.P.A.C.E., 1245
Chicago Ave., Evanston, with fellow Alligator Records guitar slinger
Jarekus Singleton. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are available
at www.ticketweb.com
I had the chance to talk to Birchwood about the new album.
![Selwyn Birchwood and Regi Oliver](../images-selwyn-birchwood/selwyn_sax-man_450.jpg)
Regi Oliver & Selwyn at Chicago Blues
Fest 2014
photo: Jennifer Noble |
Q - You performed in June at the Chicago Blues Festival. How was that
experience and what did you learn from it?
The Chicago Blues Fest was incredible. It was great to see that there is
still that much support for Blues.
The Chicago Fest was a little different in the fact that they had a
majority of actual blues bands. Sometimes you can arrive at a "blues
fest" and hear anything but the blues.
Q - Blues legend Sonny Rhodes took you under his wing and you toured
with him when you were 19. What were the most important things that he
taught you and how do you think your music has evolved since then?
I really learned a lot about what the lifestyle of a touring musician
was from Sonny. He taught me what to do and what not to do, and what is
expected of a band leader.
I'm forever grateful that he let me ride his coattails in that regard.
Being on the road with Sonny was really inspiring.
Once I saw the level of talent that was out there and the amount of
excitement at the Blues festivals etc., it only increased my ambition to
pursue this career.
Q - Of course, you recently released your third CD,
Don't Call No Ambulance,
which is your debut on Chicago-based Alligator Records. What goals did
you have for the album and do you think you achieved them? What is it
like being on a label that has been home to so many music legends over
the years?
I didn't have any real goals for the record once it was released. My
goals were all in the recording process. I just wanted to have the
record be a close representation of our original music in our live
shows. I think that the CD came out pretty well and it's been received
greatly so far.
It's very surreal to be on Alligator. A lot of my favorite artists
recorded for Bruce and it's flattering to have the opportunity to work
with him.
Q - Your band placed first at the 2013 International Blues Challenge
and you also took home the Albert King Guitarist Of The Year award that
same year. Are you surprised at how well your music has been received?
What do you think separates you from other musicians?
I was ecstatic that we won the competition. I always tell people, and I
mean it, that you shouldn't focus on the competition, but rather the
networking opportunities.
I felt that we had a chance to do well in the competition because I
thought we fit the judging criteria well, but never got my hopes up on
actually winning. It's too subjective to do that.
Every judge has their own taste and you may, or may not fit that. I
think that our original material and stage presentation separate us from
some of the other bands. We do almost all original material and try to
put on an energetic and fun show.
Q - Through your music, are you trying to bring the blues to a new
generation of fans? Do you feel a responsibility to carry on the blues
tradition? What do you think of the current blues scene and how do you
think it can be improved?
We're really just trying to make good music and get it out to as many
audiences as we can. I think if you do that, a lot of other things will
fall into place.
![Jarekus Singleton](../images-jarekus-singleton/jarekus_singleton_450_jenn.jpg)
Jarekus Singleton
photo: Jennifer Noble |
Q - Jarekus Singleton, who also is signed to Alligator Records, is your
age. What do you think about his music and what he is bringing to the
blues scene?
I really dig what Jarekus is doing. I think he is doing a lot of what we
are trying to do, as far as bringing a fresh vibe and feel to the music,
but from a different angle.
That's one of my favorite things about this music. You can inject your
own perspective and personality into it!
![Selwyn Birchwood plays guitar](../images-selwyn-birchwood/selwyn_guitar_450.jpg)
photo: Jennifer Noble |
Q - You switch up between a six-string guitar and lap steel. In sitting
down and writing a song, how do you decide which instrument to use? What
is your writing process? Do you write the music first and then the
lyrics, or vice versa?
I don't have any set approach to writing. I get inspired by certain
sounds, situations, feelings, pretty much anything. I try to just build
from that inspiration in whatever way seems fit.
Q - Do you have any dream projects or collaborations?
I don't really have any dream projects or collaborations. I just want to
play good music. Buddy Guy was the first to inspire me into Blues music,
so it would be very cool to sit in with him though.
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