Do you have a story behind your artist name?
We always liked the phrase “Love Jones,” which pops up in a ton of classic R&B songs, including “Love Jones” by Brighter Side of Darkness. It suited our objectives of being a light-hearted band that pays respect to our musical heroes in vocal soul music. It also fits that we’d name ourselves after the one hit single from a one hit wonder. We always love an underdog!
From the Chuck Brown and Soul Searchers song, “Bustin Loose”. (Barry)
Tells us a bit about your music journey. How has it shaped you?
We started out as an acoustic group, harmonizing to fill in the gaps that would typically be filled with amplified instruments. It really helped us hone our singing abilities and the unique interplay of our three voices. None of us is a properly trained singer, so we tend to figure out our parts by ear, and we move parts around a lot. One of us might sing a lead line on a verse, only to switch to a high harmony on the chorus. It has really given us a distinctive vocal quality that sets us apart from any other band. Over time, we increased our percussion and amplified instrumental aspects, and in the last few years, we have added a full horn section and one or sometimes two keyboardists to our live performance configuration. It’s a big full band sound, but at the core is always the sound of our three voices front and center, doing our thing.
Started in 1990 because an earlier version of Love Jones had a gig booked, an opening slot, so we took the songs we had and created Sergio Mendes versions as a one off…..but the kids really liked it…. (Barry)
How would you describe your sound to someone unfamiliar with it?
It’s vocal pop with a lot of soul, a big dose of fun, and smart, irreverent lyrics.
What drew you to the genre /instruments you’re playing right now?
We started playing at the height of the grunge explosion. We had all been in rock bands—punk, hardcore, alternative, and garage rock—but wanted to do something that leaned more on melody and harmony. As friends, we’d hang out at parties and listen to a lot of lounge and jazz: Jobim, Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66, Brubeck, and the like. We also worshipped Vegas legends like Tom Jones, Louie Prima, and Mel Tormé. We conceived of the band as an alternative to alternative. If everyone else was going to play de-tuned guitars and scream about how terrible life is, we set out to wear matching suits, play congas and sing in three part harmony about having a good time. In hindsight, the harmony vocals were us trying to approximate what a big horn section and strings would sound like on a classic jazz or lounge album. Through all of that, we always set out to make sly commentary on social and cultural norms, too. In short, we made ourselves unclassifiable, which made it hard to properly market us. But it’s also our superpower. It’s important for us as artists and creators that we don’t get bored making our music. The minute it gets boring, ugh, forget about it.
Anyone who heard me play guitar, said “You should play bass”. (Barry)
What inspires you to write music?
The need to say something different in a world where being different often gets cast aside. The desire to create something that makes folks want to get up and dance, to connect with their fellow human beings.
Would you tell us about your current project, album/EP, or song you’re promoting?
Our new album “The Greatest Show on Earth” was inspired by two big events. First, on the 25th anniversary of our debut album “Here’s to the Losers,” our friend Jimmy Fallon invited us to perform on “The Tonight Show.” Not only did we do TWO songs on the show, he joined us onstage for the second on harmony vocals, and challenged us on social media to write new music. We hadn’t done anything new in years, and who were we to tell him no? The second event came a year later, and it’s a less happy one: the pandemic. We’d been toying with new songs for a few months, and the shutdown gave us time to go into the lab and flesh them out. We started doing live shows again a couple of years ago, backed by our amazing horn playing friends the Bad Ass Brass, and went about fleshing these songs out with their help, along with other key collaborators, including our super-producer friend John Alagía. It’s take us a few years to put this record together, but it’s been worth it.
What do you want listeners to take away from listening to your music?
Like we say on the title track, “the greatest show on earth is all up in your mind.” On the face of it, that sounds like a load of trite garbage, but it gets at something deeper. In a world gone crazy, the best thing you can do is make the decision to be happy. Or at least not be miserable. And if our music can unlock that, we’ve done our job. In the words of another great song, “free your mind and your ass will follow.”
Who are your top three artists right now? If that’s not a fair question, what’s your favorite song right now?
At the moment, I’m listening to a lot of Dabeull, who had amazing sets on both Coachella weekends. He’s a French artist backed by an insanely talented live band that are very much in line with our pop sensibilities. Check out their song “Messages from the Stars” feating the singer HolyBrune…pure ‘90s Jam and Lewis vibes. I also love the Brooklyn band ISTA, whose new album carries on the tradition of good time indie groove masters like LCD Soundsystem and Budos Band. They’re amazing live, as well. Check out their song “Up to Chance.” On a totally different wavelength, I listen to a lot of heavy music, and my favorite artist in that space over the past few years is Poppy. After establishing herself as a YouTube pop artist, she made a very committed move into metal a few years ago and is thriving. Her songs tackle complex themes of isolation and perseverance, powered by her hair-raising voice—one of the best screams in the business. And they’re super catchy, like “Bruised Sky” from her current album. The fact that she is also so singular and unlike any other artist is super appealing. If you are going to go into this crazy world of music, make sure that there’s no one else like you.
What’s the easiest way for fans to connect with you?
Instagram! For the pictures.
Connect with Love Jones:
Instagram
What’s next for you?
More live shows with the full band later this year, hopefully in LA and New York. And we have some new songs in the works already, so fingers crossed it won’t take another decade to make the next album.
Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
If you’re ever in Louisville, be sure to make time to visit our friends at Whiskey Thief Distillery. They were our partners on making this new album, their first venture into music. They make amazing bourbon, and their tasting room is a great hang, with live music on many nights….and you can even buy a commemorative bottle of Love Jones hooch.
Also, please visits Ollie’s Trolley and get a burger and fries. You’ll thank me later.
