The post-grunge/ hard rock band Blacktop Mojo was formed in 2012 by lead singer Matt James and drummer Nathan Gillis in Palestine, Texas, a town all 5 current members still call home. Along with guitarists Ryan Keifer and Kenneth Irwin, as well as bassist Chris Davis, Blacktop Mojo released their debut album “I Am” just two years later. In 2015 Matt Curtis replaced Davis, and Irwin’s departure in 2018 made way for Chuck Wepfer to join.

Their second album, “Burn the Ships”, launched in 2017, contained their critically acclaimed cover of Aerosmith’s iconic “Dream On”. Two years later “Under the Sun” was released; presently Blacktop Mojo is on tour promoting their self-titled fourth album. I reached out to this amazingly talented and charismatic band following a show played in southern New England, and frontman Matt James was gracious enough to talk with me.

KATE of AMP: Let’s talk a bit about Blacktop Mojo‘s performance style. I recently had the honor of experiencing your killer headline performance at Alchemy in Providence Rhode Island, where the relatively small stage failed to hinder your incredible energy. You inspired a tired Thursday night crowd to rush the stage, dance and sing along. How in the world you all managed to jump, spin, kick without ever once bumping into one another is beyond me. Tell me, how do you prepare for your shows, mentally- physically- emotionally- musically?

MATT JAMES: There isn’t a whole lot of prep that goes into getting in the right head space for shows. We love playing and the fact that we get to get up there on stage is usually enough to get the adrenaline flowing!

K: The Corona Virus-induced quarantine and pandemic-mandated protocols, particularly social distancing, brought live music shows to a temporary halt in 2020. How did Blacktop Mojo make the most of the performance hiatus?

MJ: We wrote and recorded our fourth full-length album [Blacktop Mojo] that came out in August of this year. We also did a number of live stream shows while everything was shut down.

K: Blacktop Mojo was born in Palestine, Texas. How do your hometown fans and performance crowds compare to those in other parts of the US? If you weren’t based in Texas, where in the world would you like to call home?

MJ: Our home town crowds are great. Without them showing up when we first started the band, we probably wouldn’t still be going, so we are grateful for them helping us get our start. We like calling Palestine home as it is pretty equally distanced from a bunch of major cities (Houston, Dallas, Austin, etc.)

K: Before we talk about your original songs, I’d like know more about your covers. Particularly Aerosmith’s “Dream On”, which I understand was a video that led many to seek out your original releases, myself included. Already a musical masterpiece, you somehow succeeded in bringing it to a whole other level of brilliance. Bravo. Tell me about your creative process.

MJ: We decided to do that song kind of on a whim. A buddy of ours suggested that we try it and we went into the little studio we were able to use at the time and knocked out the recording of it in a couple days.

K: “It Won’t Last” off your 3rd album Under the Sun is, in my opinion, your best song to date. I feel it really showcases your ability to effortlessly and beautifully transition from sensual blues to soft sexy rock to shredding, pounding hard rock. I love the lyrics too, which seem to be about a one-night-stand, but I’m wondering what you mean by: “The best thing about this feeling is it won’t last“?
Which of your originals are your favorites? What inspires your lyrics? For example, do you do your best writing in the aftermath of a painful breakup, the adrenaline-induced high following a sell-out show, or are you perhaps influenced by global events?

MJ: “It Won’t Last” is about getting caught up in the moment of a short lived love affair and that feeling going into it that you know it probably “won’t last”.
The lyrics of our songs come from all over the place. Relationships, observations about the state of the world, stories we get told, and everything in between.

K: I often ask musicians what advice they would give to their 16-yr-old selves knowing what they know today, but it seems that you all made the right decision by leaving your jobs to further your career in music. I admire that you took such a bold leap of faith and it continues to pay off. Any advice for today’s aspiring musicians?

MJ: The best advice that we probably ever got is that no two bands take the same path to success. You have to find what works for you. In addition to that, I would say that if you really want to do it for a living, as cliché as it may sound, you have to be all in. There is no halfway about chasing your dreams. It takes a lot of sacrifice.

K: I read somewhere that you have a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science. My question to you is if you weren’t successful a musician, what might you be doing for work?

MJ: I’m not sure. I never really had a Plan B for my life.

K: I’m sure you get lots of questions about the origin of the name: Blacktop Mojo. Forgive me for forcing you to repeat yourselves, but can you elaborate on the story of the MOJO Duck Decoy? I’m laughing now because this Rhode Island girl had no idea what that even was (or that it could be used as a swizzle stick in a pinch).

MJ: I was waiting for Nathan [Gillis] to get back from work one day and I pulled up to his house and a couple of his friends came out with a big bottle of Jim Beam and asked if I wanted to go back roading. Since Nathan wasn’t back yet I said, “Of course!” We drove around for a while drinking whiskey and listening to music and somewhere in there someone slurred out “Blacktop Mojo” and it stuck.

K: Speaking of ducks, does Blacktop Mojo have any spirit animals or mascots?

MJ: Nathan and his wife have a cat they call kitty and I have a dog named Zeppelin.

K: I appreciate that your songs incorporate all of my favorite genres of music: blues, rock, hard rock, grunge, and even a bit of soul. How would you describe your music to someone who had never heard it before?

MJ: Texas Grunge

K: I cannot tell you how much it means to me to interview such a talented and charismatic band. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. One last thing, you’re touring now, and then what’s next for Blacktop Mojo?

MJ: We have some cool collaborations that we’re working on and some new music in the can that we’ll put out at some point!

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To learn more about Blacktop Mojo, check out their website

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