An Interview With Second Hand Mojo
A new single release from Second Hand Mojo brings out a very positive and uplifting vibe through a righteous pop-rock soundscape that really hits all the sweet spots you can ask for from the genre and more as it's delivered with a lush and robust character that becomes quickly infectious right from the get-go.
"Good Vibes" has a wonderful way of bouncing around in your brain for a very long time after the song is ended and I think that's because that is so impactful and comes through with such a colorful energy that it's completely undeniable.
This song definitely pours out those Good Vibes indeed and the whole aesthetic of the track makes everything feel good to listen to,
You get classic rock influence in there along with some creative sections guitar-wise including a bridge that gives you this cool progressive and almost underground alternative rock feel at times and a few other surprises around the corners but all in all, this track is a summertime, hands in the air, sing along that you want to be a part of.
This is bright and loaded with persona, and it just makes you want to keep the party going forever.
I dig the energy on the track because it's almost like a live performance and you can tell everyone involved was having a really good time laying this one down, and when you listen to it you turn it nice and loud and feel free to dance around your living room too or shake your butt in your seat if you're driving because that's exactly what you'll be doing.
The track musically has this certain robustness to it and the vocals match the energy of the music so the dynamic balance of everything is spot on and the aesthetic of the track has an element to it that makes you want more and more all the time.
I think it's important to have rock music like this because it's got such positive tones and soundscape to it.
They also have that classic almost arena rock feel and when you listen to the song you can't help but imagine what it's like to see this live.
I'm sure in a live setting these guys spread those vibes even further and for me, the way that they captured it on the record is just perfect.
Listening to this track first thing in the morning will set the tone for the day so I strongly suggest you do it.
What this comes down to is the performance and it's done just right by all parts because when you have a song that's got this kind of message to it then it's got to be performed right to have it even make sense or to have the feeling come through and these guys do it without a hitch.
This was a great pop-rock banger that felt great to crank out loud and with its release we wanted to have a sit-down with Second Hand Mojo to find out where it came from and what might be next for the band.
Here's what happened.
TSWS: Okay, let's start with "Good Vibes"! This song had so much character and felt so good to listen to! How did this release come about?
Thank you for that! This song started like a lot of our tunes. Usually, one guy has a riff or melody or chord progression they start playing while everyone is getting situated for rehearsal. In this case Q (MarQ Speck, Keys and Backing Vocals) had a Jackson Brown influenced part he was playing. The other guys joined in and started working on it to warm up. It caught on with all the guys and then the ideas started coming. Chuck (Chuck Riepenhoff, Vocals) had a concept for the lyrics: You hear commotion from afar, you can feel the energy from afar, you can’t see it yet, but you know there’s a party going on over there, and you can tell where it’s at - so you’re drawn to go to that commotion you hear and energy you feel - and when you get there, sure enough, there is a big party going on…so you join right in! James (James Hampton, Bass and Backing Vocals) had the middle section idea, and we ran with that. Scott (Scott Brokaw, Percussion and Backing Vocals) and I (Vern Springer, Guitars, and Backing Vocals) added our parts, and I got a guy to play live horns on the middle section. It took a minute, but it was fun to put together.
TSWS: How did this all start for you as a band?
Scott and I were in another band that finished. We were talking and decided we still wanted to write and perform. I had a batch of songs I had written the music for earlier which would give us something to start. So, we began looking for other members. Chuck answered a Craigslist ad. He was involved with another project prior and wanted to do more of his style of originals. He found us and we got together and jammed to get to know each other and started writing lyrics and melodies to the songs I had at that time. Chuck brought us James. Chuck knew James from their college years. They both played in bands in the Toledo/Bowling Green area that were successful. He asked James to come and see if he’d “dig” what we were up to. He came in, brought the high harmonies and some jazz sensibilities giving us a more diverse sound and feel. I asked MarQ to see if he’d be interested. Q and I played with David Winans at the time and enjoyed playing together so it was a really easy fit. On the first day he improvised the solo for the first single we ended up releasing “After Midnight”. From that day on, this has been the lineup.
TSWS: What kind of things really inspire songs for you?
Really, it can be almost anything. It just hits you when you least expect it. It could be re-discovering an old song, hearing a new one. Good days, bad days, a weird idea, or something you saw on television. It could be a sound you hear while you’re practicing something, a great mistake. If our open to it all, it will show up.
TSWS: This release has some great approaches to it! Can you give us some of your biggest influences musically?
For me I love 50’s R&B, Blues, 60’s and 70’s Rock and Roll especially Southern Rock and anything with great harmonies. James is our jazz guy. He loves all types of music. Q is our prog guy; he is a big Keith Emerson, and he brings some of that flavor to the group. Scott is my dyed in the wool 80’s Rock guy. Gotta have one. Chuck is probably the most current and diverse guy in the group. He likes everything from the Barenaked Ladies to Van Halen.
TSWS: The music video for the track was just as fun as the song was! Did this come out how you expected?
The lyrics kind of led the way. The idea was to throw the kind of party the song speaks about. Then it became a way to capture a big extended family party by inviting friends and family to be in the video. It was a ton of fun and I like how it’s not about the band so much as it is about the vibe and the people as a group. Us included. It was great fun. And a huge shout out to Scott, Joe (Cottrell, Sound Engineer), Josh (Springer, Crew and Lights), Kenneth (Springer, Crew and Merch). Also, Dave and Leslie Turco for letting us invade their home for a crazy party.
TSWS: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
Thinking about doing music… I know that sounds like a quip, but it really is a fulltime thing. It’s something that’s always there in the back of the mind until you can focus on it. We all have families so usually that kind of stuff.
TSWS: Who's in all your headphones right now?
Robert Jon and the Wreck, the new Blackberry Smoke, the Black Crowes new stuff, the Ghost Hounds (in a real southern rock loop right now).
TSWS: Are you all doing any live performances right now?
We have a ton of them coming up, a live show on Facebook: Hyped Up International, playing with Jersey in Saginaw at the Vault, opening for King’s X, opening for Uli Jon Roth, some other shows that will be announced soon. Going to be a very busy year.
TSWS: Do you record these at a big studio, or do you have a home studio set-up?
We record at Plymouth Rock Recording in Plymouth Michigan. This is where we would consider our home base for recording. We work with Ryan “Toby” Hyland for production and engineering. He has been instrumental in getting our recordings out there and has co-produced everything we have released so far. This is also where we got Nick Small who has directed all the videos we have released. Great guys, comfortable working there with the whole staff
TSWS: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
We have a new single coming out called Sister Surrender, an accompanying video, and we are launching our first beer all in a weekend in April.
TSWS: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Firstly, Thank You! From the bottom of our hearts, it has been wonderful. We are so grateful for the support and kind words. Secondly, stay tuned, because there is a bunch more to come.
