American blues shredder Dennis Jones is heading to Australia for the Melbourne Guitar Show
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American blues shredder Dennis Jones is heading to Australia for the Melbourne Guitar Show

Drawing thousands of guitar lovers and enthusiasts Caulfield Racecourse for its fifth consecutive year, Melbourne Guitar Show 2019 is gearing up for the biggest event yet featuring a huge lineup of local and international acts, as well as a huge gear expo that will feature a gigantic variety of electric and acoustic guitars, effects pedals, amps and more state-of-the-art guitar technology. We caught up with American blues shredder Dennis Jones who will feature at the show.

Thanks for chatting Dennis! What have you been up to, are you working on anything new?
As we speak I’m writing stuff for my new album next year. I’ve been looking to collaborate with my new bass player [Cornelius Mims] who is also a really great songwriter; I haven’t collaborated with anyone in many, many years. When I was in another band, I had a writing partner but I’ve been doing it all myself and I just want to expand a little bit now. I’ll still be doing the majority of the writing but I’m definitely digging into that again, getting inspired.

There are nuances in your music pulled from other genres, are you expanding into any new territories with this new release?
I’m thinking it’s probably going to be more groove oriented. There are certain things I write on bass guitar anyway that have a certain groove to it and they lock in with the drums really well and I think since he’s such a great all-around player, but especially a funk player, it’s probably going to be a little more groove or in the sense of groove-rock and blues. I have no idea where it’s going to lead, I hope it’s something fresh and good, but I’m just really open right now. I don’t have any preconceived ideas, I just want to write some really good songs and blues is always the thread for everything I write anyway so it’s going to come out that vibe and just feel. I’m not really worried, I just want to have some fun with it.

You’re going to be here in Australian in a couple of months for the Melbourne Guitar Show which is causing quite a stir. What are you looking forward to most?
I visited Australia maybe 20 years ago, and I was just blown away by how deep roots music, rockabilly and blues, and just Americana is and how well the Australian musicians that play it. They really study the music and that’s 20 years ago, so I’m sure I’m going to be met with a new generation that’s doing it and some of the people that were doing it before, I’m just really excited to be coming over. I know if it’s anything like it was before, the music I play will be received very well. That’s what I like about Australia, I love the way Aussies party and have fun, it was just a blast.

You’ve been involved in music for so long; how do you maintain inspiration and drive to keep going with it?
It’s my first love. I’ve done the day job, and also toured and played in three bands at the same time, I’ve done all that. To me, it’s my religion; it’s my church when I’m on stage. I’ll just go up there and mix it up if I need too. Especially blues music, it’s an open book. I can try something different, I can slow it down or speed it up. The guys in my band know when I want to do something different, if I want to take a solo longer or if I’m not feeling good that night and I want to do just half of it, we have a beautiful connection with it. Some of these songs I’ve been playing for so long, I just find a way to keep it fresh. People know when you’re bored and you want to go home, and I’ve never felt that way. I just love it so much and I want to be there and I want to make sure that whether it’s 12 people or 1200 people, I want to give them the same standard of show, I’m not going to just call it in because I’m not feeling well; I’ve always wanted to give 110 percent when I’m up there.

Catch Jones at The Melbourne Guitar Show held at Caulfield Racecourse on August 3 and 4.