John Popper’s pouncing on the harmonica is as much an undeniable sound as two cars crashing. When you hear it; you stop — look — and don’t turn away. Maybe that’s not the most eloquent analogy — but it “drives” my point.
There is something awing and jaw-dropping about this man’s stage presence. Maybe it’s his polished signature style. Maybe it’s the drinks and pack of smokes in between performances that loosen him up. Whatever the trick — losing it would be detrimental. He’s got a musical Midas touch.
When offered the chance to interview Popper at the Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, there was zero hesitation. Blues Traveler‘s album “Four” got about 10-thousand plays alone in my CD player. This band shaped my 20’s. This band inspired my own song-writing. I wasn’t sure what to expect from John Popper interview-wise. What I can tell you is he one of the most respectful, genuine celebrities I’ve met — and I’ve interviewed hundreds of celebrities.
DORIA: You are such a legend in my eyes – your music is amazing – take me into the world of John Popper at present time.
POPPER: Thank you! I’ve been on the road since June. Tomorrow I finally go home. So all I’m thinking about is that. Bedtime – for a like a week!
DORIA: Talk about this Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp and shaping these minds.
POPPER: It was really just today – the thing (show) and it was so cool watching that lead singer of that last band – “Pickles” they’re calling him – he’s giving it everything he’s got. You gotta love that. For him, that really is Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. It makes perfect sense. He gets to jump around and have that fun doing “Jumping Jack Flash” the way he wanted to do “Jumping Jack Flash” and I found that very moving.
DORIA: It could’ve been a stadium of 10,000 or a venue of 10 and he was in his moment.
POPPER: Yeah, for him – this was his thing. That’s the fun of it.
DORIA: You’ve been traveling, what’s next with music?
POPPER: We’re playing our album “Susie Cracks the Whip” which we put out in May and we’ve been touring with the Barenaked Ladies and Big Head Todd over the Summer – and Cracker, so that was fun. Then we headed into our Fall tour so it’s been a long and prosperous year and we’ve been having fun but I’m pooped.
DORIA: Two of my favorite songs “The Mountains Win Again”
POPPER: Yeah – I’ll be singing that tonight
DORIA: Sweet! And “Most Precarious” is amazing!
POPPER: Oh thank you – you’re one of the few people who like that song!
DORIA: It’s so odd that I’m standing here with you right now because I was just talking about you earlier this week. I was giving my opinion of another artist’s song – which is a great song – and the only comment I had was that I wished he’d sang it with the same inflection and emotion that’s in your voice. The way you sing a song – you almost feel it. How do you do that?
POPPER: Wow, thanks. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I only know how to sing one way and I just sing that way.
DORIA: It’s incredible! Talk about how your style has evolved from the 90’s when I was listening to you – and still today – until now.
POPPER: I think what you gotta do is be honest when you’re singing and when you do that – people connect to that. I think that any performance has to have some sort of truth to it that people connect to. It’s like when a comedian tells a joke and everyone laughs because they all know exactly what he means. You can do that with songs and I think that’s what you’re trying to get to – however you get to that. I’ve heard tapes of me singing from like 10 years ago and I’m like ewww – what was I thinking. So you’re always changing your mind, but connecting with it on some level. I remember one of my favorite moments was doing “No Woman No Cry” with Ziggy Marley. This is the son of Bob Marley and I laid way back in the beat and I cracked him up because he dug it so much. For me that was a real cool moment because I was singing and I meant it. When he dug it, I was like wow. I wasn’t trying, I was doing.
DORIA: What I love about your sound and style is it’s unwavering. But, how do you adapt in this new age where everyone is exploring and trying different things?
POPPER: The thing you do is let new things influence you. That’s the thing. You can’t go chasing something because people will smell that it isn’t sincere. If you don’t understand it, you can’t mean it. You can’t go “What’s new today?” and try and do that. But, if you hear something that’s happening now that you can connect to – and you can incorporate it – that’s what you should do.
DORIA: So who do you like right now? Who’s influencing you?
POPPER: Like right now – it’s always takes me like 10 years to discover somebody. Uh… (I unintentionally stumped John as he couldn’t remember the name of an artist who he is listening to right now. While he took out his i-phone and called the manager of the band to ask, the manager didn’t answer) I’m calling the manager. Come on, Answer your phone Matt.
(A man of his word! He said he’d get back to me)
DORIA: This is one of my favorite interview moments ever. So, how about your favorite artist you’ve worked with?
POPPER: That’s too many. Let’s see, Santana was amazing. I did some fun stuff with Ani DiFranco. Someone I’d really like to play with is Prince. I’m really into Tom Waits. Oh, Jack Lloyd I want to play with – that’s a no brainer. Cracker was fun who we just played with.
DORIA: I remember seeing you guys with Rusted Root.
POPPER: Yeah, that was fun. God, there’s too many to name. I did great thing with Dolly Parton once.
DORIA: Really? That’s awesome. So you’re all over the board.
POPPER: Yeah. I want to be.
DORIA: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
POPPER: Probably doing this. BB King is a hero and the good thing is he can work until he’s 100 years old. But, the problem with that is he’s going to be 100 years old and on a bus somewhere with his back killing him. But, I see that as my future.
DORIA: Finally, one thing you do or people can do to make the world a better place?
POPPER: Communicate. I think that’s the best thing people can do it communicate. As more people are used to the way people communicate, the less scary people seem.
A special thanks to the wonderful Hillary Smoot of PR Plus for making this interview happen.
