Eric Bibb: Blues is all about real life!

Just back from his Norway/Sweden tour, Eric Bibb took the time to have a little chat with me. Amongst other things, we talked about his music, the hard times he had to go through, about BB King and Luxembourg. I'm really looking forward to hearing Eric Bibb tomorrow at the Philharmonie!

D: You were born in New York, but are now living in Scandinavia. Why leaving New York, which by many is considered to be „the“ melting pot and source of inspiration for many musicians?

E.B. : Growing up in New York gave me many opportunities to hear great music and meet many inspiring musicians, for sure.  I also had a chance to visit Europe and the former Soviet Union with my family.  I celebrated my thirteenth birthday in Kiev!  This experience made me curious about other cultures.  Coming to Europe and Scandinavia on my own as a young man was also inspiring because I met many wonderful musicians (some American) in Paris and then Sweden.  Stockholm, like New York was also a magnet for musicians from around the world and could also be described as a "melting pot".

D: Was this step necessary for you to be able to do the music you like to do, to find your music?

E.B: In Stockholm I met a blues harmonica player, Bjorn Hamrin, who owned a great record store, Early Bird.  His collection of pre-war blues records was a treasure.  Off the beaten track (in Stockholm) I had a chance to dive deeper into music that I was already familiar and fascinated with - and it felt like Destiny.

D: When exactly in your career, did you find your own style?

E.B: Good question, but not easy to answer.  I"m still "finding" my style, in that I am constantly developing musically in one way or another.  It's a process that involves discovering one's own strengths and self confidence, as well as focusing on what really moves you musically.  Perhaps you could say that somewhere in the early '90's, after being involved with music since I was a child, I began focusing on the kinds of songs and guitar playing that I am known for.

D:  You had to be very persevering to get where you are now, meaning getting to the market place with your recordings and making a living out of it. Have you ever been close to throw in the towel ?

E.B. : Another really good question!  I don't think I ever seriously considered "quitting" music, as it's so essential to who I am and have always been.  I did have many frustrating periods along the way, however.  From experience, I can say that never giving up and pressing on with what you're passionate about is a recipe for success.  It helps to meet people who have achieved what you're aiming for - and I've met many of my heroes on my journey.

D: Do you think that musicians have it easier nowadays with the Internet, Youtube & Co?

E.B. : These newer ways of spreading music are surely helpful.  Ultimately, talent & dedication is what gets one noticed, no matter what kind of media innovations (or lack of) are in the mix.  Remember, there was a time when Radio was the "next big thing", then Television, then Videos... The Internet makes spreading music easier in some ways, but it also means that there are more music-makers out there seeking recognition.

D: You are living and loving the blues. Could you explain a novice, what blues is?

E.B. : Briefly, Blues is a musical language and a musical form for expressing powerful emotions in a personal way.  Musically, this language has its roots in Africa and it developed in the African-American community into the genre it is today. It's not surprising that it has become a universal language with people from all over the world appreciating it and playing it because the need for expressing powerful emotions is universal.

D: Blues is often considered to be sad music. But when I’m listening to your latest record “Troubadour live”, I find so many more aspects. Some gospel, some soul, some old rock’n’roll, some country. That doesn’t sound sad to me at all.

E.B. : The folks that put blues on the map lived hard lives.  Sadness, anger and poverty were a big part of that life. But so was humor, joy and  hope.  Blues is all about real life - and the whole range of human emotions is natural to the blues.

D:  How you came to collaborate with Staffan Astnar?

E.B. : I met Staffan Astner many years ago and admired him from a distance, unaware that he was also a fan of my music. We were introduced at a recording session 5 years ago and have been enjoying playing together ever since.

D: At the Polar Prize night back in 2004, you played for BB King. On “Troubadour Live”, you also have a tribute to him, “Tell Riley”. Can you possibly describe your relation with BB King and what he means for you and your music?

E.B. : Quite simply, he is a great musician and human being who has had a lot to do with exporting the blues around the world.  He's one of my heroes, for sure. He is a living link from the earliest blues greats to the present generation of blues musicians.

D: You always worked in an acoustic mode ( rather than electric) and you’ll play in a fantastic acoustic hall (pianists, string quartets and singers who have already been on stage there, tell us this) and the Luxemburgish public is generally considered to be open, nosey and very interested. There seem to be all the required ingredients for a very good concert. Do you have any particular expectations for your first Luxemburgish concert?

I'm very excited about playing there for all the reasons you mentioned!

Didier