The
Speakeasy
August 2021
Barrel proof stories straight from the
source.
The Whiskey Network Interview
Joanna Connor
Joanna Connor has electrified audiences for over 35 years with her legendary live performances. She has released 14 studio albums and maintained a relentless touring schedule in that time. At her core, she is a talented blues slide guitarist. However, deep inside her soul there is a swirling maelstrom of jazz, funk, metal, rock, and punk that is barely under control. She unleashes it in her live performances, and it is a sight to behold.
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Her presence is unmistakable on stage, and she channels pure magic in the moment. No two performances are the same, she just plays what the universe sends to her. Well, let’s put it this way… she unleashes the creative forces that that the universe channels through her body, soul, and guitar.
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Of course, where you find blues music, you will find whiskey. The Whiskey Network is proud and excited to bring our audience this unique look into her life in music and whiskey.
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Please be sure to like, subscribe, and interact with Whiskey Network/WBSE across Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.
Whiskey: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Joanna is no stranger to whiskey. However, she is still exploring on her tasting journey like so many other whiskey enthusiasts. She has a good grasp of her preferences but is also willing to explore new horizons. Most importantly, she acknowledges that there may be a connection between whiskey and that swirling maelstrom of musical chaos that resides in her soul. Whiskey is a part of the ritual to help her unleash it. To be very clear, she knows when to remain in control and she knows when to let it flow uninhibited.
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MP - You've been around a lot of famous (perhaps infamous) places, historic music, and so much more. There are strong connections to whiskey in all of those. Going back… What are your earlier memories of whiskey?
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JC - Whiskey, or more specifically bourbon, is my favorite alcoholic beverage. I'm not an expert in whiskey, but I do know I was a Jack Daniels drinker for many years. That was my go--to. I worked my way up to being able to drink quite a lot in one night by myself. I started when I around 19 years old, back when I was a tiny girl. I was hardcore! I progressed throughout the years but that's my first and earliest memory. I’ll say that me and Jack… we got along pretty well.
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MP - You don’t need to be an expert, just someone who enjoys it! There's nothing wrong with Jack Daniels, and that brings up another question; how have your tastes have evolved? What do what do you normally drink these days?
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JC - I've become an Irish whiskey drinker. Come this Fall, I’ll be playing in Dublin, and it will be my first trip outside of the airport. I'm a really excited for my first real trip to Ireland. We're definitely going to get into some serious whiskey sampling, so I'll really become more of a connoisseur on that trip, but for now I am into Bushmills and Jameson.
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A while back, I was in Edinburgh, Scotland but I was not much of a Scotch drinker. It's always seemed a bit like gasoline. The promoter I was working with insisted that I try some Scotch… I have no idea what it was, but it was smooth.
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Also, I do like Maker’s Mark. They used to make a Black Label bottle that could really take you down a good road. I used to love having one or two glasses of that when I played a set.
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MP - Crossing over into different types of whiskey is a part of the journey, and that is a good thing. What are some of the flavor profiles that make something attractive to you? Is it sweet? Is it earthy? Tell me a little bit more about that.
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JC - I tend to like something that's not too sweet. As an example, I absolutely loathe Southern Comfort. That is an extremely sweet whiskey that I don’t like. I like whiskey straight up. I don't like mixed drinks with whiskey. Occasionally, I have some whiskey with tea when I'm sick (a hot toddy) or in my coffee.
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When it comes down to it, I like a more smoky and smooth whiskey. Also, I just like warm glow that whiskey gives you.
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MP - Absolutely. Maybe it also gives you a bit of extra creative “oomph” in making the magic happen on stage?
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JC - Yes, it loosens up what is making me uptight, or whatever else I have going on. I tend to over think, I'm telling you… it’s a circus up there. A little whiskey calms it all down.
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MP - You mentioned your trip to Ireland and wanting to so some whiskey tasting. Are you planning on visiting some distilleries while you are there?
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JC - Yes, we are touring as the guest of an Irish band and all the members are from Ireland. They were all raised on whiskey, so I'm going leave it up to them. We're going to visit some distilleries and I'm sure it'll be a very enriching experience.
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I'm also half Irish so we're going back to the county where my family is from. I'm excited about that also.
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MP - I hope that when you come back or maybe you have another album to promote, you want to come back and talk to us and talk about your Ireland experience. That would be fantastic.
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JC - Sure! Yes, let’s do that.
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MP - What do you think about bands that are putting their names on bottles of whiskey?
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JC - There are musicians that are good at marketing and branding, or that have management who understand it. These days, you must have a brand. Back in the day, it wasn't as much of a concern for musicians.
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Look, if that's what you want to do, I have nothing against it. For me personally, I feel like my music is art and expression. The business aspect of music is something I tend to shy away from, but I'm weird that way. Recently, I’ve worked with Joe Bonamassa, and he is a genius marketing guy. He is really into it. It’s just not my thing, but I’m observing.
MP - So, will we never see a Joanna Connor and Jack Daniels or Jameson collaboration?
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JC - If they came to me and wanted to put my name on a bottle, I'm not going to say no. However, it would not be something I would pursue.
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MP - I'm just putting it out there to the Whiskey Network audience: If there is a distillery that is interested… there is a bona fide legend just ready and waiting for you to contact her.
The Blues, Whiskey, and That One Night They Went Live on Social Media
Joanna Connor never gives anything less than 100%++ in her live performances, and there are plenty of examples of incredible work on stage. When an artist with her ability maintains a relentless touring schedule of over 200 shows per year, there are bound to be some great stories that come from it. Especially when whiskey is involved. Of course, in modern society there is always social media… As an artist, it can be a double--edged sword: you can keep in touch with your fans, and then there is the occasional go live scenario on an off night when you may have indulged. Joanna is a professional but is also very down to earth. She keeps a sense of humor about her and that is very endearing.
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MP - Throughout your career, you’ve maintained a touring schedule that was relentless. You play around 200 dates a year, based on what I’ve read. As I said in the introduction, where you find the blues… you will find whiskey. Would you be willing to share a story of some shenanigans from the road?
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JC - There was a lot of years where I was the “responsible adult”, so I couldn't do what I wanted to do. However, I have a band now and one of the members does not drink or do anything else, so he's now the “responsible adult”. Around October of 2019, we were in Buffalo, NY and had an early gig. We were staying in a hotel with a bar and me, the bass player, and the drummer were hanging out. The drummer and I are Jameson drinkers together, and the bass player drinks Long Island Iced Tea… so we’ll leave it at that.
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We got completely hammered and went live on social media. Then, we proceeded to make complete idiots of ourselves. The drummer and the bass player got into an argument about music. One was telling the other how he didn’t like how he played a certain part. So, I got in the middle of those two and let them know I wasn’t going to be firing anyone and that they needed to work it out. I went and laid down on the couch in the bar.
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Next thing you know, I woke up on the floor! The bass player is telling me. “Jo Jo… Jo Jo… get up.” He is a big guy and had to lift me up off the floor. I'm not proud of it, but it was fun, and we had a wonderful time. I don't know what we said on live social media, but the whole situation was hilarious.
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MP - That's the magic of mixing whiskey and going live social media, right?
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JC – Right?!
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MP - That just goes to the old adage; no great story ever started with, “we were having a couple of salads before the show, and you know all this crazy shit went down!” … right? The reality is that you drank some Jameson and things got a little dicey and then we went on live social media. That is what great stories are made of!
Summoning Demons, Channeling Spirits, and Making Incredible Music
When you attend one of her live performances, it all begins rather innocently. She will address the audience with polite banter as she warms up her guitar for the main event. What people don’t know is that there is something marvelous going on inside of her. There is an invisible antenna in her that is tuning into the sacred frequencies of the universe, and they begin to tap into the forces inside of her. In that moment, she begins to channel an extraordinary creative force through her body and into her guitar. Some say she’s summoning demons. Others say she’s channeling spirits. When the switch flips, the audience sees, feels, and hears pure art pouring from her.
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MP - Switching to music, your stage presence is incredible. When you are warming up your guitar, you interact with the audience, and everything is normal. All of the sudden, a switch flips and you just you turn into this amazing performer. It’s like this cosmic tipping point and you go into that mode. Your antenna is extended and you're channeling whatever it is that's talking to you. Perhaps you drank a bit of whiskey to help tune up the antenna. Then, the spirits are whispering in your ear. It’s incredible to watch.
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Talk about that. What goes through your mind in that moment?
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JC - Thank you. The type of show can influence the dynamics. If it’s a festival and I’m going to be out there for 90 minutes, then I have to just hit and go from the jump. However, if I have two to four hours (I have three here in Chicago) it becomes more like a marathon. So you start off and you know the first set will be pretty sober and I’ll be on top of things. Then, I’ll have a drink of whiskey and start to relax.
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When I play, I go into a zone. I’m there, but I’m not anymore. It has to do with a lot of things; is the band cooking and on point? Well, they always are because they are good! Is the audience into it? Also, a part of it is me. I don’t know when it will kick in or how it works. Like you said, I’m out there channeling. That is a good way to put it.
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It may not sound like I’m giving an answer… but it just happens.
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MP - You gave the best answer because it’s your truth.
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There's a video of your performing that was shared and went viral. That is the prototype of your typical performance. You become a completely different person and this art just comes pouring out of you.
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JC - True!
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MP - You're a true artist because you can write songs, play the guitar like the devil, and you can sing the blues incredibly well.
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If you look at your career and the progression of your music, you can see how you evolved. That that first album, you come out with swagger, soul, a little bit of shred, and some groove. You worked Aretha Franklin on that record and wrote “Dr. Feelgood” with her. It is the standout tune.
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The next record is “Fight”, and your trademark song is there, which is “Walking Blues” by Robert Johnson. There are multiple videos posted by fans of you playing that song and absolutely nailing it. They are all slightly different and perfect in their own way. Back to the record, you just shred and show that you’re learning your craft. You're writing more and more of the songs.
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With the next record, “Rock and Roll Gypsy”, there is an injection of funk into your toolkit. On “Big Girl Blues”, this is where it starts to come together. There's even a jaunt on that record into reggae with the last song. On “Slide Time”, there are a lot of sultrier tones. Just a little more on the bottom end of that record.
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Now, I really want to discuss the new record. It is “4801 South Indiana Avenue” and it debuted at number one of the Blues charts. Congratulations on that! What's the significance of that address?
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JC - Thank you, again. Joe Bonamassa produced the new record. When we got done making the record, he said that we’d made a kick--ass Chicago Blues record. He says that my guitar playing is just me “summoning demons”. He asked me about the clubs that I used to play at when I started up back in the day. He wanted to know their address and the first one that popped up was Teresa's Lounge. Their original address was 4801 South Indiana Avenue, but I played there when it had moved to a different spot. We wanted to pay tribute to the style of music we were playing, the artists who played it, and the venues that showcased it. We did give it its own spin: we also let it rock, rip, and get more punk in our special way. For example, Joe told me that he felt I was channeling punk rock in the vocals.
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The whole concept was mostly his idea. When we first started working together, he said to me, “I want you to trust me. I have a vision for what I would like to get out of you. I've listened to your rockers, but this is what I'm hearing.” My response was, “Joe, I trust you.” He has an incredible track record, so I went in and did what he asked me to do. We made the record quickly and most of the songs were no more than two takes. It's pretty raw and the musicians were fantastic. It was a magical thing going on in there.
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MP - That record does an incredibly good job of capturing the kinetic energy of your live shows.
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JC – Agreed, yes it does.
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MP - Going back to the story of the new record, how did you get hooked up with Joe Bonamassa?
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JC - That video that you mentioned, the “quintessential viral video”, he shared it on his social media page. I saw it and was happy that he posted it. His comment was along the lines of “she does something… she brings out the Blues with the baddest of intentions.” I decided to send him a message and said, “Hey, this is Joanna Connor. Thank you so much, Joe. I'm a fan. I can't believe you did that. If you ever want to get in touch with me…” Within an hour, he responded to me. He said he wanted to help me and work with me. In the past, there have been some other famous actors and musicians who have come along in my life and said they would help. Then, nothing happened.
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I didn’t know him at the time, but Joe Bonamassa delivered. He is one of the busiest guys on the planet, but we found time to have a conversation about making a record. Then, he came to Chicago and watched me play. Around November 2019, he announced “I can’t wait to work with my good friend Joanna Connor. We’re going to make a record.” That is when I knew it was real. In February, there I was in Nashville, TN recording with him.
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MP - When I saw that video, it was from Slash on his social media. He must have picked up from Joe. The rest is history, as they say.
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I was watching a different video where Joe is talking about you. He says that you are doing your thing and “summoning demons” with your playing. That's the thing that we keep talking about where you fall into this zone. I hope you know that you're the guitar--players' guitar--player. They all look up to you because of what you do on stage.
If I may, I’d like to ask a bit about who influences you. My understanding is that some of them are: Taj Mahal, Freddie King, Ry Cooter, Bonnie Raitt, Isaac Hayes, the Beatles, Buddy Guy, Led Zeppelin, Aretha Franklin.
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JC - Yes, those artists are all influences on me.
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MP - I saved the best one for last. Miles Davis. Especially the “Kind of Blue” record. What are some of the things that you took away from that record?
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JC - Oh my, yes! It took me years to really understand his music. I was a kid when I first heard him. My mom loved jazz, but it was a little too over my head. I did play saxophone for years growing up, and by the time I was in high school I really got into jazz. That’s when I discovered that. It's a perfect example of musicians in the studio with the basic outline for songs and just injecting their own brilliance. As they go along, they explore the art of improvisation and I feel it crystallizes everything.
I'm not necessarily a jazz musician, because it takes a lot of studying. Most of the greats have studied a lot, but I like the idea of being so in the music that it just comes out of you. Also, there's a story that you're telling and making it up in the moment. Like you said, you’ve seen me play “Walking Blues” a million different ways. That's the jazz influence in the approach. It may not be the style of playing or the notes, but it's the approach in the philosophy.
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The “Kind of Blue” record is just so beautiful. You just get so much feeling from it, and that's why it's really important record for me. It set the tone for how I approach music.
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MP - I’m a fan of Miles Davis, also. In my opinion, Coltrane and Cannibal are the ones that that drive that record to be a living and breathing thing.
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JC - Yes. I agree completely.
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MP - Also, don't sell yourself short. There are a lot of jazz elements in your music. Also, you can go from playing Metallica, Led Zeppelin, to the blues fluidly. It shines through in your improvisational elements.
What’s Next: Upcoming Projects and Tour News
Joanna is never one to stand still. She is always moving forward and making music in some way. As touring begins again, she looks forward to being on the road. There are also some upcoming media performances where you can find her. Since her performance video has gone viral, there have also been many new invitations to collaborate with other artists. The future is looking incredibly bright for Joanna, and there are many great things coming soon.
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MP - What is next for you? Are you going to be touring on this record or do you have plans of getting back into the studio anytime soon?
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JC - There are so many things have been happening lately. I'm telling you, it’s like a whirlwind, which is great thing. Yes, we are starting to tour again. Festivals are popping up, clubs are reopening. We have a full schedule and I'm going to Europe and Ireland for a month as a guest.
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When I get back from my European tour, I’ll be on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, and we will be sailing around the Southern Caribbean. I’ll be a guest with Mike Zito and Tito Jackson.
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With my own band, we are playing at the Kingston Mines on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. We're all over the place and we're doing little short tours.
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I've been in the studio doing a project with Tracii Guns. He has become a friend of mine from social media. We have already recorded a song and it’s basically me on rhythm with L.A. Guns. I’m about to do another one with him and we are trying to see where this can go. For now, it looks like we might have a little side project as a band! We’ll come up with a cool name.
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I should mention that my band was filmed last Saturday for an NBC travel show called First Look and that will be out in September. We're also going to be in a movie, which we did before the pandemic hit, called Deep Water. Ben Affleck stars in it and it's a murder mystery, and it's going to be released in early 2022. My band is playing “Walking Blues” in a scene where the murder takes place.
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I will be in LA visiting my son for my birthday in August. I was speaking with Joe (Bonamassa) and I'm going to be a guest with Larry McCray, who is a great player and singer from Michigan. Joe is producing him and asked me to come through and do a song with him.
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Joe and I are planning to do another record. Who knows when or what it'll be, but we're going to do it! All these good and exciting things are happening!
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MP - Tracii Guns is in Denmark now, right?
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JC - Yes, I believe he lives there now with his wife and child. If you follow him on social media, he is an absolute hoot. We would be texting each other and we're laughing for 2 hours. He's a really good dude and he's hilarious, also.
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MP - Well, we'd love to help promote your music more. We'd love to help get the word out on tour dates. We're very happy that you're a part of the Whiskey Network family.
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Where can people find information about you and your work? Where can they go to buy your music?
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JC - I have a website: www.joannaconnor.com. We have Facebook (Joanna Connor Band), Twitter (Joanna Connor), and Instagram (Joanna Connor Guitar). I’m on Joe Bonamassa’s record label, Keeping The Blue Alive Records (KTBA), and you can order directly from there. My music is also available on Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music, and the other major music services. My older music is available to purchase directly from my website.
The Mashbill: Whiskey Network Wants to Know Your Recipe
It is our tradition at the Whiskey Network to ask our guests the same final 5 questions, also known as the Mashbill.
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MP - You have been generous with your time and sharing stories about whiskey and music. I want you to know that you are now a part of the Whiskey Network family. Like we talked about in the beginning, where you find blues music, you're going to find whiskey, and you're living proof of that.
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Before I let you go, there is a fun thing that we do at the end of all our interviews. We like to ask the same five questions of all our guests. These are the most common questions that get asked in our social media community and it's not a test. Relax, there is no right answer. Just say exactly what comes to mind. Are you ready?
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JC - I'm ready!
MP - Perfect, so the first question: what was the last whiskey, bourbon, or Scotch that was in your glass?
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JC - It was Jameson, last Saturday night at my gig.
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MP – Excellent. Next question…
Do you prefer to drink whiskey out of a specific type of glass, or does it not matter?
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JC - I'll drink it out of the bottle, so it doesn't matter!
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MP - That's a great answer, I like it.
Another question… Do you have a Unicorn bottle?
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JC - Well, I will be in search of those unicorn bottles over in Ireland: the motherland of whiskey making. I'll let you know. I'm sure I'll get the opportunity to try something I've never even heard of. I do have a funny story, though. I flew to Europe, and we went on Aer Lingus, which is the funniest airline name ever. We went through Dublin before we went to Denmark and in in the airport at 10am in the morning they had a stand with different whiskeys to try for free. I’m thinking… this is my country! That was great.
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MP - Don't you leave us. We get to keep you because you are an American music legend!
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OK, I have a hypothetical question. I am looking for a gift for a friend. My budget is somewhere between $50 and $75. Do you have a recommendation of what I should buy?
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JC - Unfortunately, no. Ask your local liquor store and ask them for their best bottle in that price range.
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MP - That's an acceptable answer!
OK, last question. This is my favorite one. What is your favorite toast?
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JC - It depends on the company I am in.
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MP - Go for it! You're among your good friends. Don’t hold back. We're all adults here.
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JC - Bottoms up. [laughs]
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MP – [laughs] OK, bottoms up. Works for me.
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Well again, thank you for your time. I enjoyed spending time with you. Learning about you and getting to talk about music has been an absolute treat. We love connecting with people who are whiskey fans and learning about the awesome things that they do, you absolutely fit into that category.
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I meant what I said: it's been 35 years that you have just been absolutely spellbinding on stage, and I am happy as hell that you are getting long overdue recognition. For all of the awesome things that you have done and also for the awesome things that you will continue to do: thank you.
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JC - Appreciate it, you asked great questions. This was fun!
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MP – Please come back and visit the Whiskey Network. We want to hear your stories from your visit to Ireland and want to talk more about any unicorn bottles you may have identified. The door is always open and you are family at the Whiskey Network now.
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JC – I would be happy to, that would be fun!
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Joanna Connor is an electrifying performer who has taken the time to hone her craft, grow as an artist, and bring her art to her fans as much as possible. There is something supernatural about the convergence of her talent, the channeling of spirits through her soul, and the music that comes from her guitar. Don’t take our word for it, check out one of her live performances for yourself!
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She is a fan of whiskey and is still on her journey to explore her tastes, preferences, and the wonderful world of the water of life. Whiskey is a great companion to blue music, and she is the ambassador for this relationship.
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We are honored to have someone of her caliber visit the Whiskey Network and look forward to her return to talk about future projects and learn more about her whiskey journey.