Interview with UK Blues Sensation Aynsley Lister
By Mick Michaels
Cosmick View: Hello, Aynsley! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thanks for taking some time out of your day to speak with us. It's greatly appreciated.
CV: How would you describe the differences between British Blues and American
Blues? Is there a difference or is it all just really branches from the same
tree?
Aynsley Lister: I guess it’s all branches from the same tree. We took
it from America in the beginning, and then kind of re-exported it back over
there. In the 60’s blues boom era, it was artists like John Mayall and Alexis
Corner who were taking what the Americans were doing and re-energizing it. Eric
Clapton was quite influential in creating a sound that many others followed - a
Gibson Les Paul into a Marshall amp running flat out. It had never really been
done before and definitely set the trend and created a sound I immediately
connected with.
The buzz here for that put the spotlight on the now well known American artists like BB King and reinvigorated the interest in them. I suppose it’s a bit like how Jimi Hendrix had to come to London and make it here in order to make it back in America.
CV: "Along for the Ride" is the new album coming out
this November. It marks your 8th studio release. Tell us a little about the new
record and what can fans expect?
AL: It’s an album that kind of encapsulates everything that makes me
tick, both as a musician, songwriter and as a person. Thematically it’s about
the journey we all take through life: the twists, the turns…the unexpected.
It’s something I think about a lot and am fascinated with - it’s about real
world stuff that everyone can relate to.
I have so many musical influences and you can definitely hear that on this album, whether it be a classic old style slow blues, a full on in your face rock thing or a chilled out mood and everything in between. I really love creating a mood within a song to be the right backdrop for the lyrical content and theme of the song. I also love trying new things and on this there are a couple of tracks that people might not be expecting from me!! I got really into the TV series ‘Killing Eve’; and wrote two songs based on it that are almost soundtrack like - kind of James Bond meets Pink Floyd!
CV: When a new album is done and ready to be released to the world, how much of
you is left on the table…how much of your soul is put into the record?
AL: Everything, literally every part of my being goes into it. I can’t
do it with only half a heart in it…it has to be all or nothing. I push myself
every time to try and raise the bar. Emotionally and mentally I am 100% spent
by the time it’s done!
CV: Music has a way of expressing things that words sometimes cannot.
What do you feel your music is saying to the world?
AL: I like the idea that my music can transport people somewhere in
some way. It can be healing and it can be uplifting, it can put you in a
certain mood or take you from one. I think more than anything, I want to create
music that moves people rather than impresses them.
CV: Is songwriting for you a matter of tapping into hidden parts of your
psyche or even a stirring of deep-seeded, buried emotions or is it more of an
“in the moment” sort of process?
AL: I still can’t quite figure out how it happens when I write. I’ve
tried to reverse engineer it so I can manage it to my advantage but so far that
hasn’t worked! It’s definitely an in the moment thing and catches me unaware
sometimes. Sometimes I will just get very clear and vivid ideas of either or
theme or a musical idea, it can be out of the blue but quite often I can
visualize an entire song straight away.
CV: Do you feel that in this day and age, an artist can freely cross genres
without the fear of being labeled a "sell out" or even risk losing
their core fan audience in your opinion?
AL: I think the best thing anyone can do as an artist is be true to who
they are and people will believe in that more than anything. Whether or not it
fits into a genre is very hard for most artists because there is so much cross
over in most music. I started my career known as a blues musician but even in
the early days I crossed over into other genres and over the years it’s got
even more eclectic. When I write through, I don’t try and write a blues song or
a rock song, it’s just a song to me.
CV: Many critics seem to feel music is not evolving; that it's only maintaining
a level that appeases to the lowest common denominator? Do you agree with such
a sentiment? And does such a belief on behalf of these critics actually insult
those who are really listening in your opinion?
AL: There is so much music out there! I do think there is some out
there that is just ‘of the minute’ or has nothing new in it, or music that is
just repeating what has already been done but at the same time, there’s stuff
out there that’s incredible. I think music is always evolving.
Music is so unbelievably subjective and everyone hears it differently but I think good music will always be good music, whether or not it’s your kind of thing. I think there will always be great music out there and if these critics can’t find it then they’re not looking hard enough.
CV: Have you ever felt limited or pigeon-holed by the type or style of
music you write and perform?
AL: Occasionally I might have someone who likes the bluesier stuff I do
over the more song based material but you know what? That’s OK with me! If
that’s how they connect with me as an artist then how can that be a bad thing?
I’m known as a blues artist but anyone who has any of my albums knows it goes
way beyond that and always has from the very start and they’re still coming
back for more…I’m still going some 25 years on so can’t complain really!
CV: What more can fans expect to see coming from you as the New Year begins to
get closer?
AL: We’re gonna be trying to get out to play live everywhere we can. I
love being on stage and performing for people and we just haven’t done that
enough that past couple of years, so look out for live shows near you.
CV: Thanks again Aynsley for taking the time to share with our readers.
We wish you all the best and continued success.
AL: Thank you! It’s a pleasure.
Check out Aynsley at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aynsleylister/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AynsleyLister
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aynsleylister/
Website: https://www.aynsleylister.co.uk/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7hueZY91Csxv57p4KnPVcU
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