John “JJ” Grey moves through a conversation slowly, decidedly choosing his words as he talks. There’s a true sense of patience to his whole manner, and you immediately get the idea that Mofro’s rooted front man finds great comfort in the slower quality of life. His words crackle with a life of their own and you get the feeling that, perhaps, in all that idle time, he now knows something you do not. But within his pensive pattern, excitement rings through, and discussion of music shares the same knowing glance as talk of a Floridian home cooked meal. So while its clear JJ loves performing, it’s apparent that his heart never really strays far from the Okefenokee Swamp and the smells, tastes and sensations it provides.
As JJ and bandmate, Daryl Hance wrapped up their recent tour with the North Mississippi Allstars, we caught up with JJ, for a few minutes about Mofro.
Tell me about your philosophy of nature.
I cannot fathom TV anymore. I really don’t watch it anymore. Any night you can turn on the TV and see something about nature. That’s great, but people aren’t really paying attention to what’s going on outside their own front door. Whether its big or small, don’t get lost in the shuffle of everyday life and miss what’s going on right around you. I’m not an activist, but eventually the whole world is going to be one big city.
What if you never lived in the swamp? Would you be a musician?
Wow, I don’t know, good question… no. Okefenokee Swamp – well, maybe I would have done music, but sure not like what I do now. Where you live, the people you’re around, the food you eat, the religion of the area, the way people act socially with each other – these are all factors controlling the way the music is gonna be. I mean, now we’re in New Orleans and it’s a party, but there’s a real reason behind the party. When I’m in Florida, there is a reason I make that kind of music. I reckon if I didn’t grow up where I did, the music wouldn’t sound like it does now.
Is there a moment from your past that set you off musically or style-wise?
My folks really didn’t let me listen to a lot of music when I was young. That was the same with many where I grew up, but I liked music and I always sang.
Is that how you ended up with such a soulful voice?
I could always sing from day one. I’m sure I got better. It has to be from the way people acted socially around me. I love where I live and the weather. I love to know I’m going back home. My songs and style reflect that.
Did you write the new record in Florida?
Some of it…a lot of it comes from songs that didn’t make it on to Blackwater. Songs that we didn’t like before, but reworked. Blackwater had 13 songs, but we recorded about 20. This new record has many songs that didn’t make the first cut.
Does it sound different from your first album?
The first record had the producer, Dan [Prothero], pushing us in more of a direction. This record is more about the songs. Blackwater was about songs also, so I guess this will be similar. Each song came about in the same sort of relaxed way of the first record. It sure wasn’t that we were going for a different feel, we just want to do the same thing we’ve always done. “Lacloosa” is the title track on the new album. It was originally the opening to the song called “Florida” off Blackwater. It now stands by itself on the new record.
So if this new record was a meal, is this one of the better meals you have eaten?
Oh yeah, it’s good. Personally, I like it better then Blackwater.
I know you’ve had some pretty unfortunate accidents. Have they influenced your music?
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Not really, I have forgotten about them already. Shit happens, you move on. Sort of like being jilted by a woman. You think you’ll never get over them, and then bam, five years later you don’t even remember her name. I don’t think of it.
How was Jamcruise for you guys?
Great! Fun time…sat in with Galactic and Tishamingo. It was a big ole’ flash of memory.
How is the current tour with North Mississippi Allstars?
Awww its great, sold out nights back-to-back. North Mississippi Allstars killing it just like always.
Have you been going up with them most nights?
Yeah, I went up with them last night and Luther [Dickinson] came up and played some stuff with us.
So I know you are a big food fan– help this Yankee out with what a Ho Cake is?
It’s almost like corn bread, but you fry it in a skillet on the oven.
Any secret Ho Cake recipes?
I can cook a few things… shrimp, fish, all that stuff, but my grandma makes the Ho cakes… We’ll get a recipe up online some day.
Have a favorite spice?
Yeah, I Love that West Indian Red Powder and I love the Red Cajun Powder. Heck, you can open up a plain can of tuna fish and just add some of that powder.
Do you have a garden?
Nope, I haven’t had time to. When I was younger my grandparents had a huge one. I would love to get a garden growing. There’s a lot of tough things and a lot of fun things being on the road. Robby Robertson said it best “It s an apostle way of life, you do it all the time.”
What did you think of Robert Randolph’s recent Grammy performance?
I just hope it is a sign of things to come. The music industry needs to start recognizing good music, good songwriters, and good songs with good people playing them again. I mean, music has slipped a bit today; we’re not in a renaissance now. We’re in a renaissance in the underground.
