Webb Wilder - Mississippi Móderne (2015). Entrevista a Webb Wilder

Primera gira española de Webb Wilder en Abril

Webb Wilder es uno de los grandes del Roots Rock, rock´n´roll, boogie rock, rockabilly blues y americana.

Desde 2010 forma parte del Salón de la Fama de Mississippi, junto a Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, BB King, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Conway Twitty o Sam Cooke, entre otras leyendas del género. Además de cantante y guitarrista, Wilder es director de cine, actor y humorista.

Sus actuaciones al frente de su veterana banda The Beatnecks derrochan energia con dosis de humor y teatralidad.

Webb Wilder nació en Mayo de 1954 en Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Sus tíos fueron los propietarios de Trumpet Records, los estudios donde grababan los legendarios bluesmen Elmore James y Little Milton en los años 50. Así que Wilder creció con esos sonidos de blues, del country y rockabilly de su región, y con el pop y rock británico de The Who, The Rolling Stones o The Kinks cuando invadieron las listas de éxitos en Estados Unidos en los años 60.

WEBB WILDER
Mississippi Móderne (2015)

A los veinte años de edad Wilder marchó con su guitarra a Austin, Texas, en donde permaneció cuatro años actuando en varios grupos. Después se mudó a Nashville, Tennessee, en donde formó The Beatnecks y ha vivido hasta hoy.

Es muy popular en su país, sus apariciones en TV, sus películas como actor y sus cortos como director han sido muy aclamadas por la crítica internacional, convirtiéndolo en un artista de culto. Es además un excelente compositor que tiene en su haber una decena de discos a su nombre, y con los que ha alcanzado siempre los primeros puestos de las listas de Roots Rock.

El pasado mes de Septiembre publicó “Mississippi Moderne”, un excelente álbum de composiciones originales propias y versiones muy personales de canciones de Ray Davies, Conway Twitty, Otis Rush, Charlie Rich y Jimmy Reed.

Estas y otras de sus discos anteriores formarán parte del repertorio que Webb Wilder & The Beatnecks ofrecerán en su extensa gira por España, Reino Unido y Suecia durante el próximo mes de Abril. La esencia del Rock´n´Roll ¡¡por primera vez en España!!

LA GIRA ESPAÑOLA

07/04. Madrid, Sala Moby Dick

08/04. Santiago de Compostela, Sala Capitol
09/04. Piloña, Asoc. Cultural Bocanegra

10/04. Santander, El Almacen de Little Bobby
12/04. Bilbao, Kafe Antzokia

13/04. Zaragoza, La Ley Seca 
14/04. Barcelona, Sala Les Enfants

15/04. Valencia, Sala 16 Toneladas
16/04. Reus, Sala Toman Music - 

17/04. Tarazona de La Mancha, Sala Star  

THE INTERVIEW

The Webb Wilder’ songs sound like to American Rock, to Folk, to Country, to Blues, and maybe a bit of Pop. A great mix of styles that results on the fantastic and personal sound of your music now. But, what really are your musical influences?

Certainly all those that you mention.  Speaking for myself, anything that has ever come to my attention that I liked could influence me.  The most rewarding thing is when you can combine the different influences into something fresh and original that isn;t necessarily just one thing.

You have edited an album titled "Mississippi Môderne" last year with original songs and any cover. This album sounds evocative, nostalgic, to Autumn with beautifuls songs,... What's your inspiration when making your songs? Why you choose these covers?

The album began by recording "Yard Dog" and "Lucy Mae Blues."  After that it was more or less a "follow the bread crumbs" process of finding or writing songs that I felt could fit with those.

(c) Esta foto es de David McCister

What are your expectations with Mississippi Môderne?

I don’t know that I have expectations as much as hopes and wishes.  Some of them have been realized.  This album has received a good bit of press and radio airplay in the states which is good as the last one really did not garner a lot of attention.

What do we will see and enjoy in your live concerts in this Mississippi Môderne tour?

There will be quite a few of the songs from the new album as well as from some or most of the others.

This is your first time in Spain. What do you expect from the Spanish crowd?

I have no expectations.  I don;' know what to expect.  As I always do, I hope for as many people as possible to attend the shows and more importantly that the ones in attendance enjoy it.

What are your plans for this current year 2016? We assume that you will touring around clubs and festivals. Can you advance anything to us? Any important event? 

We will be doing our annual Webb Fest show in the Fall and a few more festival type events, clubs, etc..  There will be band gigs with the Beatnecks as well as solo acoustic shows.  I will be doing some of those in May in the states when I get back from the UK which is where I will be going after the tour in Spain.

(c) Esta foto es de David McCister

Do you think the digital world will end with music as we know it today? What do you think is the future of music?

The whole issue of how musicians get paid and how much continues to ben issue.  I think that people will always make music and that there will always be music lovers who appreciate it.  The formats change with technology so, hard to say where that will end up or if it ever will.

8. What is your best memory about music?

Seeing the Faces at the Warehouse in New Orleans in 1971.

How is a normal day in the life of Webb Wilder?

Well, if I am not on the road a portion of each day is of course spent at the computer.  There are decisions to be made and plans to make.  Usually there are errands to run.  I try to play guitar every day and generally do.  At the end of the day, I usually watch some TV, then read a bit.

What do you think about the current economic and social situation in Spain, Europe and in the World in general?

I can't speak with any authority about it.  I know that the economy here in the States has recovered some since the recession in 2010 (?) but, there are still challenges.  Now I sound like a politician!  I am kind of a space cadet and not particularly qualified to speak intelligently about such things, really.

MISCELLANY

Could you tell us about...

... A book?:  

"The Time It Never Rained" by Elmer Kelton- a novel about a long drought in Texas and personal integrity and character.

... A movie: 

"Beetlejuice."  Still love it.  Really creates a world that conforms (or refuses to conform!) to it's own rules.

... A song?: 

"American Tune" by Paul Simon.  It's a darn good one.

... An album?:  

"The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society" by The Kinks.  Childlike and magical in all the best possible ways.

... A group or soloist?: 

Freddie King. When it comes to singing or playing the Blues, there is no one better.

... A hobby?:

At one time, I had horses and enjoyed riding.  Now I have cats and TV.

Thank you very much. Best wishes from Spain, and congratulations for your music.

You are welcome and thank you!  Muchas Gracias!