Matt James from Blacktop Mojo.

A Written Interview.

May, 2020.

Hey Matt James! Thank you so much for answering some questions for me! I’m a huge fan of Blacktop Mojo and well since I can’t come see you play (yet) and meet you in person this is good enough until that time! Let’s jump right in!

1. First thing first, what or who has inspired you to do what you do? You have a truly amazing raw/real voice which showcases so much emotion in each song! And of course the band just rips all around!

Matt: Thank you for the kind words! I started playing guitar and writing songs at 17 and got addicted to that buzz you get when you feel like you came up with something cool. I don’t really think I’ve ever stopped chasing that feeling ever since.

2. You guys have an EP coming out at the end of this month! Super excited about it! I think I have listened to ‘The End’ at least 93 times by now. And I’m about to add “Watch Me Drown” to that list. How was the writing process for that? Was it recorded before or during this strange time in our lives right now?

Matt: All the songs for “Static” were songs that were in the mix for our “Under the Sun” record, that for one reason or another just didn’t fit with that record, however, we felt like the songs had potential, so when we released UTS, we got right to work on flushing out these four songs for “Static”

3. What is your favorite part about being on stage?

Matt: There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of walking out to a bunch of smiling, screaming people ready to have a good time.

4.What is the best advice you have been giving to help you continue to do what you do and make rad music?

Matt: Some of the best advice we ever got was that no band ever takes the same path. What works for one band, may not work for the next, and comparing your path to someone else’s never does you any good.

5. How is the practice space for Blacktop Mojo? All business all the time, or you guys have your fun as well?

Matt: We’re always having fun. We live together off the road as well, so the fun never stops.

6. How do you feel you inspire your fans?

Matt:  Hopefully we inspire them to show love to each other and to everyone else.

7. What is the bands go to tour vehicle snack?

Matt: For me it’s usually frozen microwave chicken breast and instant brown rice with whatever hot sauce I can get ahold of.

8. Who is your favorite current band or artist?

Matt: Hard to pick a favorite, I listen to a lot of different stuff. If anyone is looking for some good grungy ass rock and roll, they should check out our friends Lullwater.

9. What is one music memory you’ll never forget that happened to the band?

Matt: Again a very hard thing to pick just one, but I think one of my most recent favorites was getting to share the stage with the Marshall Tucker Band, and getting to sing “Can’t You See” with them. It was one of the first songs I learned on guitar, and to be able to be on stage with those guys was a very cool full circle moment for me.

Ashley Grace Monroe.

Done for Hell Entertainment.