Darren Watson
October 2010
Interview contributed by Sean McCarthy
In this first interview for the Auckland Blues Club it's my absolute pleasure to talk to Darren Watson, vocalist and guitar player in his band Darren Watson and the Real Deal Blues Band.
Darren has been making great music from his heart and soul for more twenty-five years now and in that time he has established a reputation second-to-none in New Zealand for world class, original rhythm & blues.
A highlight was winning the prestigious International Song Writing Competition in 2008, a competition judged by Tom Waits, John Mayall, and Muddy Water's alumni James Cotton from over 15,000 entries worldwide.
And in 2009 he placed on the podium again.
Darren Watson and the Real Deal Blues Band are heading to Auckland on 23rd October for a show at the Juice Bar at the Windsor Castle to promote the release of his new album, Saint Hilda's Faithless Boy.
ABC: Hi Darren, thanks for taking the time out in what much be a busy patch to talk to us. How's it all going?
DW: Hi Sean. It's a really busy time right now sorting out stuff for the album release.
ABC: We last spoke in 2009, so apart from working on the album what else have you been up to?
DW: Not much.. LOL.... it's has consumed my life hah hah ha... heaps of teaching and playing as well though. Next year we wanna get out and play the festivals etc. The band is kicking ass at the mo.
ABC: Saint Hilda's Faithless Boy is your first album since 2005 and Pacific Soul had it’s quite obvious blues references, but it also encompassed elements of rhythm and blues and soul. Is that was we can expect from Saint Hilda's Faithless Boy or is this a more straight up blues record?
DW: It's blues, with a capital B, bro. Of all the albums I've made this is the one I'm proudest of. It's way more raw than the last one, pretty much live in the studio mostly. The band is smoking. Most people who hear it are comparing it very favourably to King Size. It's mostly original tunes.... it kinda bugs me how conservative some blues followers are about that. I love the old stuff as much and probably more than the average listener but if we're gonna be more than just the 21st century version of Dixieland Jazz we need to keep pushing it forward I reckon. We still play a lot of beautiful old shit in the set of course 'casue we love it but we're trying to make beautiful new shit too... heh heh.
ABC: As an international award winning song writer, do you have a process for writing songs? How or where do you get your ideas and how do you turn them into tunes for a record?
DW: Nah... there's no 'one way'. Because I play so much with teaching and everything and I religiously record a tune every day I'm always inspired eventually. Just weight of numbers. If you keep writing 'em eventually some of 'em will be good... well that works for me. I think you have to be a bit of a magpie from other genres to keep it interesting. Blues was never a pure form of music. It's full of borrowings.
ABC: Can I ask, as a band leader, what do expect from your band? Do you write and dictate how or what each of the band members play or do you leave it up to them?
DW: Ha ha ha --- I'm a socialist everywhere except on the band stand.... Mostly I let the guys have their heads 'cause they're all such accomplished and tasteful players. We've been playing together for so long that nothing really needs to be said anyway. I know I'm biased 'cause they're my guys but I don't think I've heard a better blues rhythm section in New Zealand. Richard Te One is scary good, bro. Not in a 'muso' here are my chops kind of way, although he certainly has them, more in like “I can't imagine that feel ever being any better”. And Elliotte Fuimaono on bass is a ROCK.
ABC: We have just had the Vodafone New Zealand music awards, who have categories for Best Roots, Jazz and even Gospel/Christian Albums, but nothing for blues. Do you think the awards could and should have a blues category? Is the product string enough and of good enough quality in this country?
DW: Yeah, it's a tough one. King Size was nominated for a Tui in 2003 against Te Vaka and Trinity Roots in the 'roots' category?! Back in the day Smokeshop was nominated in the standard categories . . . I think if we want a blues category it probably behoves the blues community to get together and make it happen. RIANZ don't really take it seriously unfortunately but if they have jazz and folk categories I can't see why blues is off the menu?
ABC: How would you assess the current live music scene in New Zealand at present, specifically regarding blues and blues-related music? And have you noticed and changes for better or worse since I asked you that last time?
DW: Bro, I think things are pretty much the same. People love this music but we all struggle to get the message out there that we're out there playing it live and on album.
ABC: Do you have any advice for the blues ‘community’ in Auckland? Are there any lessons, good or bad, we could learn from the Wellington scene?
DW: I think Wellington overcooked the scene by going weekly, personally. Fortnightly or monthly makes it an occasion out side of just another gig.
ABC: So, what can we expect from Darren Watson and the Real Deal Blues Band in the next year or so?
DW: Me and Al Norman want to go play the UK and Europe. Hopefully we can cajole Te One and Elliotte into it.... drag 'em away from the wives... ha ha.
ABC: As always Darren, it’s been great. I’m really looking forward to the show on the 23rd (my birthday by the way, so it should be special) and thanks again for your time.
DW: Cheers, Sean
For more information on Darren Watson and the Real Deal Blues Band, please visit the band’s web site: www.darrenwatson.com
Sean is a currently President of the Auckland Blues Club and is the bass player in The Flaming Mudcats.
