Jasper Dan, the acclaimed South African Southern rock band, brings their latest single 'Mama Voodoo' to the global stage, blending mystical themes with raw energy and a profound exploration of Southern Rock roots.
Q: Jamie, as the vocalist, how do you approach interpreting the themes and emotions in 'Mama Voodoo' through your performance?
Jamie (Jasper Dan - Vocals): I tend to take the lyric writing process quite seriously and mostly write about my experiences, fascinations, dreams, people and places I know and am familiar with. Through this the stories come from a place inside you know and then when you perform these songs it becomes personal, it’s close to you and part of you. With Mama Voodoo, as with most of our songs I just try to open and tell these stories in the rawest form that they are. It can be a frightening thing to do.
Q: Barrett, your guitar hooks are a signature element of Jasper Dan's sound. How did you shape the musical direction of 'Mama Voodoo', and what challenges did you face during the creative process?
Barrett (Jasper Dan - Guitar): The challenge really was being locked up during the Covid Pandemic. I battled with not being able to play music in a collective environment with my band mates and live shows, through which we thrive. These challenges boiled over into something of a deeply frustrated and quite aggressive riff which became the backbone for Mama Voodoo. In a way the frustrations became a big creative outlet for me which probably kept my sanity. But don’t tell the other guys or they might lock me away again…
Q: Jason, as the drummer, you provide the rhythmic backbone of Jasper Dan's music. How did you contribute to capturing the energetic vibe of 'Mama Voodoo', and what techniques did you use to enhance the song's dynamics?
Jason (Jasper Dan - Drums): With the psychedelic and mystic madness that immediately heard in the music I just needed to find the right vibe for it. In all honesty the drums in this song were influenced by the playing style of John Tempesta, particularly his White Zombie stuff.
Q: Mark, as the bassist, your role is crucial in anchoring Jasper Dan's sound. How did you collaborate with the band to ensure that 'Mama Voodoo' retained its Southern Rock authenticity while incorporating new elements?
Mark (Jasper Dan - Bass): A lot of my musical inspiration comes from 60’s and 70’s rock, so even though the riff is quite modern and heavy, I wanted to keep that 70’s vibe going. I have a lot of chromatic walking bass lines in my style, and incorporated those to keep the roots, but bounced off Barret’s riff to keep it fresh. I always try to add just the right amount of funk to my groove
Q: Each band member brings a unique perspective to Jasper Dan's music. How do your individual musical tastes and experiences contribute to the band's collaborative songwriting process?
Jasper Dan: A country music fan, a death metal fan, a 90’s glam rock fan and a funk fan all walked into a bar. They found each other over tequila, beer and a good time. This is pretty much the Jasper Dan story. The immediate response to your question is that we write together. It’s very much a collaborative and organic process. We are not a band who writes our parts individually or away from each other, we sit together in the same room at our bar, and we work through the song creation process together. We bounce ideas, thoughts and the things we individually hear inside off each other. There are no ego’s, each one of us respects other and we put these songs together until we are all happy with what we have.
Q: 'Mama Voodoo' is described as merging mystical themes with raw energy. What inspired the lyrical content, and how did you visualise these themes in the artwork for the single?
Jasper Dan: It was almost as if the song chose its own lyrical content as a theme of traditional and dark magic practices seemed to be the only thought I had while listening to the music when we were putting it all together. I started to visualise the many methods people use for escape and hallucinogenic journeys that people of all walks of life have been experimenting with over many generations. I always found it fascinating that long before people of different continents had contact or communication with each other there has always been different methods for inducing spiritual or out of mind journeying. From palm reading to tarot cards, crystal balls to ayahuasca experiences to drinking pills the song tells a story of a spiritual journey of enlightenment through mayhem of ending in tranquillity and peace of the emotion and feeling of being immersed in the gentle rolling river water.
The artwork is simply our interpretation of what we envision our Mama Voodoo to look like. We’d be happy to follow her on the journey. She has strong links to the Voodoo of New Orleans but also our more traditional African Hoodoo and the respective traditional medicine and cultures.
Q: Looking ahead, what are Jasper Dan's aspirations for touring and performing internationally? Are there any dream venues or festivals you hope to headline in the future?
Jasper Dan: The big dream is to experience the reaction to our music and performances on an international stage. That concept really excites us. South Africa is geographically a big country and seeing how different parts of the country have welcomed us over the past few years really does tickle our intrigue as to what international audiences would think. Collectively in the band we have family and very close friends who live in the UK and in British Columbia, Canada, so you just never know, we may just see you real soon!
Q: In your journey as a band, what have been the most memorable moments or milestones that have shaped Jasper Dan's identity and musical direction?
Jasper Dan: We opened for Iron Maiden in South Africa on their 2016 ‘Book of Souls’ Tour. It was a major highlight for us as a band. We got a tough time for it that’s for sure. It made us stronger as a band though and taught us to just keep on. Afriski - Barrett’s first show. This was an iconic tour. Our first show with a freshly cut new guitarist who had only joined us three days prior. We drove for 7 hours into neighbouring country Lesotho. Barrett sat in the back learning the songs on an acoustic guitar. We played a gig in the snow on the Lesotho Mountains and spent several days really getting to know each other. Working with Robin Walsh of Assegai Studios in Johannesburg has been and continues to be an incredible experience for us as a band. He is an outstanding producer and engineer who really pushes our boundaries. We always walk away from Robin feeling really boosted by his influence and involvement in the band. We have had a handful of No 1’s on the SA Top 40 as well as 1 No 1 for the year. These things always push us to do more.
Q: Beyond music, Jasper Dan is involved in community initiatives. Can you share more about your commitment to social causes and how these efforts align with the band's values?
Jasper Dan: Well, what we believe is that you got to do what you can with what you have. Fortunately, we have a voice, and we have a platform. We have been very fortunate and blessed that we receive so much support for the initiatives we get behind. We are partners with and very much aligned with Rainbows and Smiles, the SPCA and the NSRI. We also have a close connection to ‘Krooked Kings Motorcycle Club’ who are involved in a lot of charity outreach.
Thank you, Jasper Dan, for sharing your insights into 'Mama Voodoo' and the essence of Southern Rock from a South African perspective. We're eager to follow your journey and see what the future holds for Jasper Dan on the global stage. Don't miss 'Mama Voodoo', available Friday 19 July on all platforms!
‘Mama Voodoo’ available on all platforms 19 July HERE
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Jasper Dan is a rock band hailing from South Africa, renowned for their high-energy performances and a distinctive blend of classic Southern Rock with a modern twist. Formed in 2015, the band swiftly transitioned from covering songs to crafting their own music, quickly amassing a dedicated following. Their signature style is characterized by a robust rhythm section, captivating guitar hooks, and raw, cohesive vocals.
Jasper Dan, consisting of Jamie Hendry (vocals), Barrett Cawood (guitar), Jason Eedes (drums), and Mark Kenyon (bass), has made significant strides in the South African music scene. Their debut album 'A Southern Fling' launched in 2016, was a testament to their Southern Rock influences and garnered a steady following.
Known for their mature songwriting approach and commitment to delivering authentic rock and roll, Jasper Dan's ascent was rapid. By 2016, they were landing significant gigs, including an opening slot for Iron Maiden during their ‘Book of Souls’ tour in Johannesburg. Their debut album, ‘A Southern Fling,’ launched in November 2016 at Rumours Lounge, marked a pivotal moment in their career. Subsequently, they have graced prestigious stages such as the South Africa Bike Festival, Splashy Fen, and the Artists Against Extinction Music Festival.
Beyond music, Jasper Dan is deeply involved in community initiatives, supporting causes like The Paige Project for children with cerebral palsy and conservation efforts against rhino poaching, reflecting their commitment to positive social impact.
With their infectious sound and genuine performances, Jasper Dan has carved out a distinctive place in the South African music scene. Their evolution from a cover band to an acclaimed original act underscores their dedication and camaraderie as a band. As they continue to grow, Jasper Dan remains true to their roots, bringing a taste of Southern Rock to audiences across South Africa and beyond.
Releases:
'A Southern Fling' (2016 Album)
'Your Sugar Girl' (2020 Single)
'Hurricane (Live)’ (2022 Single)
'The Soil (City of Gold)' (2022 Single)
'Crooked Kings' (2023 Single)
'Mama Voodoo' (2024 Single)
Live At The Radium Beer Hall.
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