|
by MARY ELIZABETH ROBERTSON
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
“We just want people to have a good time. Too many moments in my life are full of either boredom or strain,” James Trimble said. “We [want to] help people break free from that boredom or strain. Even if only for five minutes.”
This philosophy is the one that Trimble, along with Justin Hoskins, Michael Jenkins, Chris Doody, Mitch Stewart and Aaron Hoskins, known as the Dirty Guv’nahs, have followed throughout their careers. The band makes its next appearance in the Music on the Mountaintop Festival in Boone Aug. 29.
Hailing from Knoxville, the guys offer a variety of all things sacred, blending the southern soul, blues, rock and country sounds to create masterpieces of musical euphoria.
The Appalachian recently had the opportunity to sit down with band member Trimble.
The Appalachian: Tell me about your band.
James Trimble: We got together as a stunt back in 2006. A total
experiment. At first, being on stage felt very temporary. We played a
couple shows and then didn’t talk to each other for like seven months,
then one day a few of us were hanging out and started playing again. It
just makes a lot of sense when we’re together, and if we’re hanging out
then we might as well be productive and create something great. These
days, the stage feels like home.
TA: Where did the name “Dirty Guv’nahs” come from?
JT: We named it the Dirty Guv’nahs after this crazy guy that came to
our first show, which was a benefit concert. There were local news
cameras there interviewing people talking about the music and the
charity and they interviewed this crazy guy who was up front dancing
around with some crutches. His exact comment, on camera, was, “This
music is so dirty, I’m [going to] go home and burn my house down,” to
which the news reporter said, “Sir, and what’s your name?” [He said]
“I’m the guv’nah.”
TA: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
JT: Inspiration comes from anybody who’s out there living out a dream
and living out of passion. That doesn’t mean famous people. I’m talking
about the normal couple who move to New York because they want to
pursue art, or the doctor who moves to Appalachia because that’s where
the most need is. My dad just retired after 30 years as an engineer and
is going to start teaching high school math as a second career. My
favorite people in the world are folks who take a different route, live
humbly and try to draw greatness out of themselves. It’s not an easy
thing, carving out greatness. But with a lot of hard work and a ton of
patience, normal folks can do unbelievable things.
TA: Describe a typical rehearsal or day in the studio.
JT: Rehearsals always start with Michael, the guitarist, because he
writes most all of the music. So most of the genesis behind our songs
starts from something he created. The studio is a whole different
animal. [You have] to be on your A game there because you don’t have
much time.
TA: What has been the best aspect about recording and being in a band?
JT: The best thing about being in a band is learning how to live with
other people. Respecting their differences and understanding that the
greatest creations come out of that place where good ideas collide and
ego gets pushed aside. It’s not always comfortable, but if you push
through the tough times then it’s totally worth it. We’re writing a new
album right now that we’re gonna record in December of this year. This
is the band that I want to be in. Everyone in it is so important to me.
TA: If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be? Why?
JT: Great question. If I could collaborate with anyone then it would
definitely be Jim James from My Morning Jacket. He always surprises me.
Some of his stuff on “At Dawn” and “It Still Moves” are my favorite
songs of all time. If I had a second person to mention, then it would
definitely be Wilson Pickett. To me, there has never been a greater
performer to live on the face of the planet Earth. When he sang, people
listened. I remember listening to Wilson Pickett in middle school and
thinking to myself, “this man is the greatest thing that God ever
invented.”
TA: Is this your first time at Music on the Mountaintop? What are you most excited about for this performance?
JT: [We are] very excited to play at Music on the Mountaintop. This
will be our first time in Boone. I’ve been there to hang out with
friends throughout the years, but never been there as a band.
Trackback(0)
 |
TrackBack URI for this entry
Show/Hide comments