UNLEASHING A GROOVY HILL COUNTRY BLUESY-ROCK SOUND!
ROCKING OUT WITH MUDHOUND
Once upon a time, in a world without internet or high-speed transportation, music was as local as grandma’s homemade pie. In the heart of the Mississippi Delta, the roots of music ran deep, soaked in the sweat and soul of the land. Enter Dave Stewart, the musical maverick from the iconic Eurythmics duo with Annie Lennox. In a twist of fate, Stewart stumbled upon a hidden treasure known as Hill Country Blues during a road trip to Mississippi after the Eurythmics Sweet Dreams tour had ended. This discovery marked a significant chapter in the history of music, enlightening us about the Mississippi Delta’s rich and diverse musical landscape.
Stewart was fortunate to have run into Junior Kimbrough and RL Burnside at the Junior Kimbrough Juke Joint, who made the Hill Country Blues and the Juke Joint a buzzing night spot. It didn’t take Stewart long to decide he wanted to jump on stage with them, and he fell in love with a sound he had never experienced before in rock ‘n’ roll. In 1990, Stewart teamed up with film director Robert Mugge and renowned music scholar Robert Palmer to make a documentary about Mississippi Delta Hill Country and the rich musical history of the region, which was rereleased for the 30th anniversary of the film that put Hill Country Blues on the map. It is a unique fusion of soulful rhythms and raw, unbridled energy that stands out from traditional Delta or Chicago blues. Its distinctiveness, a musical gumbo simmering with flavours of tradition and innovation, promises a toe-tapping journey that will leave you intrigued and curious to explore more.
Say hello to Mudhound, the Hill Country Blues band that’s shaking up Lafayette, IN. With roots as rich as the Delta itself, Mudhound’s music, a fusion of passion, energy, and pure musical talent, will have you dancing until dawn, leaving you excited and eager to experience their next performance. Frontman, John Phillips, who is based in Lafayette, is leading the charge with his mesmerizing slide guitar skills, honed to perfection down in Mississippi.
What sets Phillips apart? Well, besides his killer slide-guitar licks, he’s also the mastermind behind Mudhound’s soul-stirring lyrics. Most of the band’s tunes are straight from Phillip’s heart and influenced by other musicians who inspire him.
If you happen to find yourself at a Mudhound gig, keep your eyes peeled for the guitar parade that Phillips flaunts like a rockstar. Each guitar in his arsenal brings a unique flavor to the band’s bluesy rockin’ sound. Phillips will let loose on his slide guitar, tuned to the mystical open G chord. According to Phillips, the beauty lies in how those major chord notes line up effortlessly on the fretboard, which can warm one’s soul. He also likes to use the realms of open D tuning as well. Every song Phillips writes, and every cover he strums for Mudhound is a sweet serenade in the key of G & D open tuning. Why stick to one guitar when you can have a rainbow of tunes at your fingertips? It’s all about being ready to hit that bluesy-rockin sweet spot!
At the heart of the band, there exists a rhythmic force like no other, Garry Trefts. Trefts offers a boundless power of rhythm, but beyond his electrifying beats lies a heart of gold and a spirit as vibrant as his beats. Whether crafting intricate rhythms or sharing a laugh with his bandmates, Trefts embodies the essence of pure musical joy, infusing every performance with a touch of infectious energy.
Carl McCarthy is the harmonica maestro with a belt full of harmonicas. This guy is like a one-man band but cooler. He can sing like a nightingale, rock the harmonica like it’s nobody’s business, and basically, he’s just a musical genius. It’s like he’s got the Midas touch, but instead of turning things into gold, he turns them into pure musical magic.
Rounding out the crew is Jimmy Powers on the big standup bass. With a personality as grand as his instrument, Powers brings a whole lot of pizzazz to the crew. Having serenaded audiences for over six decades, this musical virtuoso has even played with the legendary Platters back in the day. Magic is in the air when Powers plucks those strings!
Mudhoundβs upcoming album, The Dirt I’m Used To, will hit the airwaves in 2024; this album promises to be a wild ride from start to finish. Sample tracks will be dropping on Mudhoundβs website like hot potatoes, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for a taste of what’s to come.
ArtistΒ Links
SPILL FEATURE: THE ORIGINS OF A HIP-HOP SAMPLE – A CONVERSATION WITH JaRON MARSHALL
SPILL FEATURE: OUR OWN LITTLE PLANET – A CONVERSATION WITH PEARL & THE OYSTERS
SPILL FEATURE: NO LIES, NO TRICKS – A CONVERSATION WITH DES PARKS, JON DOMBROSKI & CHAD PLAMONDON OF SPARROW BLUE
SPILL FEATURE: SOFT WINDS AND ROSES – A CONVERSATION WITH DIANA PANTON
