Following 2015’s Half Life, multinational songwriter Blair Jollands is now set to release a brand new album. 7 Blood is set for release on September 14th (2018) via Glowb Records.
Inspired by his travels around the world, and recent battle with Lyme Disease, 7 Blood takes its name from a killing herb that Jollands collected from an Andalusian mountainside, in order to combat the superbug. Taking you on an epic journey, the album offers a soaring cinematic soundscape; from the funk fused musicality and soulful vocals of its title track, and uplifting Latin American rhythms of ‘Mojacar Moon’, to the bluesy harmonica melodies of album closer ‘Restless Soul’, it offers an eclectic platter of the world’s sounds.
Fusing together the twinkling harmonies and ‘60s doo-wop inspired sweeping romanticism of ‘I’ll Remember You’ with the dark anthemic grandeur of Leonard Cohen in tracks such as ‘Burning Man’, Jollands offers an ambitious collection, with each track steeped in a musically rich splendour.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Blair about the upcoming album, motivations, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
I had a beat up trumpet when i was a kid and i loved mariachi and jazz music. I used to dream up horn arrangements before i could right music but I’d try out the different harmonies i had and later record them on my 4-track. I put that style of music and its influence it had on me on the shelf for a while until i arrived in London when I welcomed it right back. My first album HOTEL definitely gives a nod to that genre. I was on Boy Goerges record label at the time and he described me as the bastard son of Jim Morrison and Desi Arnaz with a shot of tequila. I thought it was a good line.
What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?
I believe that music chooses you, to help you on your own personal journey and to allow you to share your creations with the world making it a better place. That was the case for me. Music helped me dream through the boredom of small town adolescence and mediocrity. I want to share it to the world because I see that it moves people. Music can’t lie. It is honest or not.
Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?
I’m a bit of a sponge really. I soak up all sorts of stuff I see and hear – film, art, great singers, politics, nature – and it comes out in my songs and compositions. I think Ive always liked the same stuff fundamentally but i like to keep adapting to new technology and styles and learn from other artists I discover.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
I wanted to explore more of my cinematic work in this new LP and also try and let go of the traditional song writing structures and be a little more free form. I think i achieved that on most of the new record. I also thought it would be interesting to write music that reflected what I was going through with at the time of writing it… with the lyme .. like being possessed and losing control of my destiny.. like some stuxnet virus inside my mind and body. So the brash brass stabs I used again and the gospel vocals and jazz profanities.
What was the last song you listened to?
It was a Michael Kiwanuka song. He’s one of my fav artists at the mo.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Definitely vinyl but i don’t have a player at the moment as I’m not in one fixed place.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I like record players. But Spotify can offer unpredictable playlists and interesting music I wouldnt probably come across otherwise.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?
People are spoilt for choice, they have little time in their lives besides all the other modern day distractions and they can be wary of new artists that are not part of a preset pigeon holed genre. So if you’re forging your own style this can be challenging to convince critics or potential fans without someone influential or famous calling it genius. Also social media is an insatiable beast and its vicious hunger for content and news keeps a poor soul busy and away from the very thing a musician should be focusing on – writing.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?
Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?
Don’t follow leaders. Watch your parking meters.
