Interview with Jeff Hope

Jarod Smith

Jul 14, 2022

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I was playing guitar at age 11 however my passion for music really started at age 13. My father was a professional musician and started me on my journey. We built a home studio in the basement of our family convenience store 1990. I learned so much not only about music and music technology but also about computers. Music ultimately led me to a career in information technology.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I enjoy working outside on our little hobby farm. I love nature, machines and all things technology. I am fairly handy and enjoy building and creating.

How long has your band been around?

I have been releasing my own music since 2002

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

I am based out of Halifax Nova Scotia. We have a long history of traditional, country and rock music all based out of Halifax. I am lucky enough in my music career to have worked in most genres that Nova Scotia Represents. I am proud to be from Nova Scotia!

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

It’s my name

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

I haven’t had many opportunities to perform my own material live but this past April I played a show at a local Bar called Montes Showbar. It was the first time I was able to perform my latest material live due to the pandemic. Looking forward to getting out and seeing more faces very soon!

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

I’ve had the chance to perform as a touring musician at many venues over the years. My favorite venue is in Fredericton N.B. at a little pub called Dolan’s.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

I’d love to have a chance to perform the record with all the original musicians on the recording. I handpicked the musicians on this record because I admire their abilities and personalities.

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?

Practice! - don’t fear how people perceive you, If you enjoy playing so will the people watching you! Don’t get discouraged, don’t give up.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

There is no time like today to create and share your own music! It only takes one person to hear you and enjoy your music to make you feel validated.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

The song – Rely on your old friends means a lot to me because my father performed on it with me. I penned this song in 1991 and dad and I tracked a version of it way back then. After his passing in 2017 I revisited the song and was able to extract his harmonic performance and rework the song for the new record.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Of all my songs I enjoy playing Pyro for hire and Simple life the best. These are driving songs that get the blood pumping.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

I draw inspiration from many different sources. Sometimes it’s my peers. Sometimes a situation I see and reflect on. Sometimes it’s an emotion that turns into something completely different. I typically think about songs long before I attempt to pen them.
Most of my songs are not personal experience but more of a feeling or idea possibly extracted from someone else, a movie, an incident.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

It depends on the song. But mostly I try to write uplifting music that promotes fun, Makes you move and has some kind of message or story that carries thru the song. Many of my lyrics read differently then when you listen to the song. At times you can hear a bit or sarcasm in my lyrics.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

I am a singer / Songwriter and yes I do sometimes have disagreements with myself

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

I am looking to book some more shows in the upcoming months and have recently started writing again. I am planning a new video for one of my songs called Pyro for Hire which is a fun blues/rock song from my record – Fill The Void.