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 Sharon Jones Interview
interview 0353 added 27.11.05 words: Flat4
technical: Flat4
Sharon Jones: prison warden, church choir singer,
and now leading lady in one of the funkiest shows around, touring with the Dap Kings.
A familiar style - early 70s funk reminiscent of the JBs, kicked out in style by Sharon and the 8-piece suited and booted band.
There's an album to come, but first things first, the European tour this summer that some lucky folks got to see under the sun and by the sea at Cannes.
You left the Dap Kings outside then?
SJ: Yeah they're getting ready for the sound check
So we've known you for about 3 years now, tell us a bit about your career
SJ: Yeah it's been about 3 years now, we've been getting more known in Europe - in London, Spain and now in France
And before that what did you do?
SJ: I sang in a few bands, in church with the choirs, and I worked as a correctional officer - a prison guard - but mainly the music.
So how would you describe your style? I guess it's sort of old style RnB and funk?
SJ: Yeah we make sort of old school. Now it's all originals, but we keep the late 60s ealry 70s style - the JBs style funk that's what we're doing.
It's quite a pure funk sound - do you want to make it evolve in any way?
SJ: It's just a style we're trying to keep. It's more real - it's raw, with the horns, the drums, it's not electric - it's alive. It's a good sound!
The band has a real image on stage, with the suits that the band wears
SJ: Yeah they get the suits on, they look dap - like the old guys they get their suits and hats on, that's where the dap comes from. So yeah they do that, I just do my thing!
You don't do many cover versions, which is unusual for a band of your style.
SJ: We did a version of "this land is your land", and Janet Jackson's "What have you done", but yeah we're not really into that so much. We like doing what we feel. On the next album we're doing "Respect" - it's different, you'll be surprised! We need to do it live, but not tonight, it's not ready yet, plus our regular saxophonist isn't here - he's gone home cuz his wife's having a baby.
“...We haven't got anything against major labels, but we don't want to be controlled...”
So when's the new album for?
SJ: Ah man.. when we get a chance to record it! Probably this winter - we haven't even started recording it yet. We'll record it this winter and it'll be out next year
How did your label choice come about
SJ: We haven't got anything against major labels, but we don't want to be controlled. We don't want to have x number of dancers on the stage, we want to do what we want!
What do you think of this mini-revival of old school funk?
SJ: Yeah a lot of the artists are doing older funk - Stevie Wonder's back, Freddie Jackson's back, yeah it's coming back. Soon you'll have people doing covers of our stuff thinking it's old!
How known are you in the US?
SJ: Yeah it's good out there - there's more demand now, finally! We're touring in September and October, starting on the East coast.
Tonight you're sandwiched between Jurassic 5 & Ugly Duckling - do you know them already?
SJ: I don't know them, but I'm definitely checking for them tonight. I like some hiphop, I wrote something for the DJ Greyboy album y'know! That's funny too we had a track "Genuine" on a compilation, it was a 45, and I was in Starbucks and it suddenly came on, that was great.
What do you listen to when you're back home?
SJ: I tend to listen to 98 kiss - they play a mixture of older stuff, 80s, funk, jazz, gospel - all that. Aretha, Diana - all sorts, Jill Scott recently, Alisha Keys recently too. Even the girl Fantasia from American Idol she sounds strong, mature - she's got a nice voice.
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Flat4
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