Interview with Blue Moon Marquee
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What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
Al - Probably my Grandfather… he was always playing instruments around the house. Writing poetry got me into singing with the first band I was with.
Designing and building motorcycles.
Jazz - I have been obsessed with music since I was a very small child.
I would probably be doing something with plants …botany, permaculture. .
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
Al - Work on classic motorcycles. Keeps the breath steady.
Jazz - I garden and try to be immersed in Nature as much as possible. Be close to water and swim in water… wild water. River swimming is my favorite. It calms the nerves and sharpens the mind… which fills the well to be creative.
How long has your band been around?
9 years
Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?
Coast Salish Territory… It’s in our bones and our breath so it just leaks into everything we do.
How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?
It was a bit of a swing of the bat. Doesn’t particularly mean anything…. A loose translation is “ a rare happening”
Tell me about your most memorable shows.
We played this old Jazz Club in Belgium where Django played in the 30’s
The spirits were definitely stirring that night.
What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?
Kaslo Jazz Festival is a very special time…. It is a beloved place that we cherish.
We aspire to play in Hell, Norway
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
Preservation Hall Jazz Band & Danzig
What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?
Play music you are passionate about in your heart and stick to that.
If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to say ‘no, thanks’
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
Right at this moment? Probably Big Black Mamba. The video says it all.
Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
Another Night to Cry is a powerful tune that seems to blow peoples’ hair back a bit.
What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?
No set process… just always trying to stay writing and playing and curious.
The towns, the trains, the hills , the rivers. First nations folklore and stories, inspiration from the elders of Blues, Jazz and folk music.
What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
Stand up for your rights and have a good time doing it.
Don’t forget to dance.
Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?
Any band that said they didn’t are jokers. Of course we do.
We try and be as diplomatic as possible to iron it out… although sometimes it ends in arm wrestles, pie to the face or rock, papier, scissors.
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up
Plan is to just hang on and keep going. Keep playing, keep touring, keep recording as long as we can.
We have a new album coming out in Sept 2022 featuring Duke Robillard that we are quite thrilled about.