JJ Grey and Mofro

“Whether it’s our show, writing songs or life in general, I feel like I’m on a sail boat. I’m not in charge of the wind or ocean and I can only man the rudder. I feel like I steer a little bit then coast a little while before I have to steer a little bit more. Rather than forcing myself through the ocean, I like to just let it happen and the same goes for the stories and story telling in our music.” This is the perfect analogy for JJ Grey, the true epitome of a southern blues rock gentleman.

The internationally celebrated group is set to return down under for a run of shows after a long absence. “It’s been six years since we were last there, I love Australia and I’m really looking forward to coming back,” said JJ Grey. Firstly at Bluesfest in Byron Bay, and then for a more intimate show at Sydney’s The Basement. “They both have certain things that I really like. In the smaller venue, you have the intimacy then at the bigger shows, you have the really festive feeling, so I try to look for both of those elements in each.” said Grey.

The group will be here to celebrate the recent release of their new album Ol’ Glory, which they have been working on for quiet some time. “I couldn’t give you an exact date, but it was some time during the recording of our last album, if things started clicking and a piece of gear broke or we had to stop, I would sit at the piano and songs would start happening” said Grey.

For Grey, the recording process is very much a case of trial and error in order to let the songs and stories develop naturally. This is aided by the fact that he has his own recording studio set up on his property which allows him to “really tinker and mess with it and sort of fail if you will a couple of times before I really get it right.”

This mind set tends to carry over into the live performance also. “For me, a show is about sharing an honest moment with the audience and the guys on stage,” Grey said when speaking about his hatred for the “work” aspect of soundcheck and rehearsals. When asked to describe the show to fans, Grey said “Wow that’s really tough but for me, some of the things I love about a live show, not even necessarily ours, are whenever the artist can maybe make you feel their pain. Make you laugh, dance or cry like a good book or movie and those are the things I hope we can make happen.”

Apr 6, The Basement, 29 Relby Place, Circular Quay, $45+b.f, thebasement.com.au