JOVIN WEBB – AN INTIMATE CONVERSATION WITH A RISING STAR

Photo credit: KVSH Productions

By Ralph Beauchamp

Jovin Webb is an artist on the rise. He just released his debut album entitled Drifter on Blind Pig Records. You may remember the bluesy Webb from his stint on season 18 of American Idol where he cracked the “Top Ten”. His gritty vocals earned him praise from judges like Lionel Richie, who called him “what barbecue sauce sounds like,” and Luke Bryan, who admitted, “I could sit and drink a lot of bourbon listening to that voice.”. And they aren’t wrong. His music encapsulates infectious grooves and emotive lyrics.

Webb’s voice is full of Mississippi swamp accentuations that cradles the soul. His vocals deliver groove laden accents while still carrying a gnarly texture. In addition, Webb‘s range is memorable. He can criss-cross genres with spectacular ease. One song on Drifter can establish a tender lilt while the next a raging wildfire.

Opening track “Bottom of a Bottle” sets the tone for the whole record. It transports you to blues “heaven”. Webb‘s voice sparkles with spellbinding intonations and palettes of soaring resolve. The ballad, “Save Me”, has a captivating flow and is laden with a lush tonality. “I’m A Drifter” flares with exuberant zeal and ardor. “Mine Somebody” ferries in a rich R&B resonance that dives deep into the listener’s anguished heart. Drifter is a superb opening statement that will catapult Webb to the forefront of the current music scene.

Jovin Webb was kind enough to sit with AMP for this intimate conversation.

AMP: What first got you into music?

JOVIN: Being raised by my parents. it was a very musical household. There was always music in the air. It went from the house all the way to the church. As soon as I came out of the womb, music hit me.

AMP: Who were some of your musical inspirations?

JOVIN: You may not hear it in my music but my biggest inspiration is Michael Jackson because he’s the king. Everything about him was fantastic including his music, his sound and his ability to put on an amazing live show. Even at a young age he said; “I don’t sing music I don’t feel.” That’s impressive.

AMP: You seem to be able to mesh several musical genres into something fresh and unique. How would you categorize your sound?

JOVIN: It’s just a bunch of sounds I mix together to create me. It’s a projection of myself. I’m not a person you can generally put in a box and my music reflects that.

AMP: Your new album, Drifter, is killer. Can you give us some insights into the release?

JOVIN: It was a dream come true. I always wanted to go to Nashville and definitely for music. It was me up there with these great musicians as well as my producer, Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy/Susan Tedeschi/Christone “Kingfish” Ingram), making magic happen. All of my happiness, anger, joy and the rest of my deepest feelings are in this record.

AMP: Talking about Tom, how was your experience working with him in the studio?

JOVIN: Tom is a G.O.A.T. He has hands in so many projects. Our first round was a writing session that lasted 5 to 6 days. Initially, he sat me down and we just talked while he took notes. By the time we had finished our conversations, he wrote a song. Tom is so organic and so fluid that it didn’t even feel like work. His vibe is so natural and he knows how to put you at ease.

AMP: Do you feel there’s a track on Drifter that will turn heads?

JOVIN: I personally love “Bottom of the Bottle” but as to mass appeal, I think “Mine Someday” is the one. If I have to be honest, most of the listens have come from women. So, if you can connect with them with a song, they will constantly share it. It’s important not to only write about heartbreak but also embrace love. I think “Mine Someday” is a song that people can gravitate to.

AMP: If you could collaborate with any artist (past or present) who would it be and why?

JOVIN: I would absolutely pass out if I could work with Chris Stapleton. Stapleton is plainly amazing. I feel our music is similar in feel. He has this rock about him. He’s got this country and blues about him. Like myself, he jumps genres. I think we would mesh well.

AMP: We’ve interviewed other contestants from music competition reality shows such as Kieran Rhodes. Do you feel American Idol was an important step in your musical career?

JOVIN: It was nuts. The show surely pushed me to my limits. It made me realize that you have to give it your all if you want to succeed in the music industry. There were long nights where all you did was sing, hour after hour. The whole experience was a big test.

AMP: How did your relationship with Blind Pig Records happen?

JOVIN: When I made it to the “Top Ten” of American Idol, I was hoping to get a record deal but that didn’t happen. I got calls but they all seemed to be blowing smoke. None of the deals seemed right for me. Then Jeff (Schroedl) from Blind Pig called. He said “I don’t know what I’m doing but I’m thinking of reviving Blind Pig Records. If you trust me, I would love to have you as an artist.” That started in 2020. Then the pandemic hit but we still talked all through Covid. I just signed the record deal last year. Jeff stayed steady and kept his end of the bargain. It just felt right this time.

AMP: Is there something about you no one knows?

JOVIN: I want to make an album in every musical genre. Like I said, I hate being put in a box. I also like to experiment as much as possible.

AMP: What’s next for Jovin Webb?

JOVIN: Promoting this album. In addition, we are already planning a European tour. I want to bring my music to as much of the world as possible. I want to touch as many people as I can. When that’s done, I’ll start working on my next project. For me, this isn’t just a destination but a life long journey.

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