Interview with Mojo Alice (New Zealand) Vocalist Jem Tupe

September 18, 2020

Interview with Mojo Alice (New Zealand) Vocalist Jem Tupe

By Mick Michaels

The Cosmick View: Hello, Jem and welcome to The Cosmick View/MBM Ten Pounder! Thanks for taking some time to chat with us!
Jem: Hello to you from me!

CV: Describe your definition of the band’s sound and style and how does that definition uniquely describe the music?
Jem Tupe: Our sound really is just what we sound like when we jam together. We've literally fallen into this awesome beat and riff laden groove thing…the lyrical content builds off that and generally has some sort of dark voodoo bent to it…just because that's how we roll!

I'm told…and we are now used to saying, our sound is best described as Hard Rock Blues.

I like to call it "Big, Ballsy and Bad Ass" LOL!

CV: Today, everyone talks about artist and audience connection. Is such a level of connection actually achievable for an artist and if so, how have you made the connection to your fans?
Jem: I think it's talked about a lot now because social media has made things so much more accessible.

Our experience so far has been really positive, we make sure we regularly post and share on selected platforms to keep that level of interaction going.

This has been especially important while the live gig scene has been on hold due to current COVID restrictions.

CV: Is fan interaction an important part of the band’s inner culture?
Jem: Oh my gawd, yes! We FEED off the interaction. It's what validates us and spurs us on.

We love hearing from peeps all over the world, the positivity shared is priceless.

I was blown away by one fan who shared a pencil drawing she did of me, she felt inspired while listening to our album…I felt really humbled!

And I still have a laugh over 'Ed' who shared his pure enjoyment of taking naked walks on his land when COVID forced all to stay home…Ed doesn't know it yet, but I reckon he may be featured in a lyrical line of a song one day...!

CV: Can a band truly interact with its fans and still maintain a level of personal privacy without crossing the line and giving up their “personal space” in your opinion?
Jem: It can be challenging, especially with social media - it's fab for instant interaction but can also make you so easily accessible, it's hard to keep your personal bits personal and not be taken as a reflection of the band overall.

I can only imagine how hard it must be for famous people!

CV: Is music, and its value, viewed differently around the world in your opinion? If so, what do you see as the biggest difference in such multiple views among various cultures?
Jem: I don't think so? I mean, music is really an experience that only gets better when it's shared.

You don't have to play an instrument or be the World's best singer to enjoy it.

Music is generally used as a way to remember, enjoy, celebrate and to mark special moments and occasions. To inspire and to encourage…and none of that depends on where in the world you are?

CV: Do you feel that a band that has an international appeal, will tend to connect more so to American audiences? Would they be more enticed or intrigued to see the band over indigenous acts because of the foreign flavor?
Jem: Hmmm, that's an interesting question!

I think there is always a level of mystique with artists, bands, musical acts 'from other countries'.

America really is the big brother of the World and has long played a key role regarding current influences, fads and fashions.

Isn't there a saying: “If you make it in America, you've made it?”

Or is that New York... :)

Here in New Zealand we are full to overflowing with talented artists, to the point we are spoiled for choice.

To make it BIG, you gotta go overseas.

And on the flip side, to sell out a show, you gotta have a big name on the bill, generally and preferably from overseas.

Local, indigenous artists do take a back seat to visiting artists and I do think to some degree, this is the same experience in any country, regardless.

CV: Has modern-day digital technology made everyone an artist on some level in your opinion? Have the actual lines of what really is an artist been blurred?
Jem: I think that's human nature…technology is driven by humans and with that, we evolve and everything else does with us. This includes how we make music.

I'm just glad I'm of an era where music was still made 'old school’…from the dedication of honing a skill/talent into something unique…of the individual sharing it.

We (Mojo Alice) pride ourselves on keeping our sound real, no elaborate sound mixes on our recordings or pre-recorded backing tracks at our live performances.

That's the big, ballsy badassness...!

CV: How would you describe the difference between an artist who follows trends and one who sets them?
Jem: Sheep versus Wolf!

CV: Has music overall been splintered into too many sub-genres in an effort to appease fan tastes in your opinion? And has such fan appeasements, in actuality, weakened music’s impact as a whole by dividing audiences?
Jem: It never ceases to amaze me how many titles we can give ANYTHING. It's like walking around with one of those label making machines and feeling compelled to label everything.

Why do we have to fit into anything so specifically specific anyway...I dunno!

All I know is we fit into Hard Rock Blues :)

CV: What can fans expect to see coming next from you?
Jem: New music…we are working towards another album = YAY!!

Live gigs…absolutely ITCHING to get back on stage and feeling the love of fellow music lovers!

Tattoos...there will be more tattoos!

CV: Thanks again Jem for taking some time and talking. It is greatly appreciated.
Jem: You are very welcome and great questions!

Check out Mojo Alice at:
Contact: 434management_usa@mojoalice.com
Official Website: www.mojoaliceband.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MojoAlice/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mojo_alice
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3bCQxZl
Youtube: https://bit.ly/39sL6KE

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.