04 JAN 2016 - Blues artist PEACH at the forefront of female-fronted blues acts performing both modern and old-time blues...

Music News Nashville
04 JAN 2016
by Dan Harr

Blues artist PEACH at the forefront of female-fronted blues acts performing both modern and old-time blues, whose (U.S.-based) PEACH Blues Band has included top talent like keyboardist Ken Stange (Joe Cocker); guitarist Jamie James (Jamie James & The Kingbees, Steppenwolf); bassist Jervonny Collier (Bruce Hornsby, Pointer Sisters); and legendary drummer James Gadsen (Paul McCartney, B.B. King, Smokey Robinson, Thelma Houston, Ray Charles, Freddie King, more).

Her latest, “overseas” group is called, PEACH & The Almost Blues Band (DK) – more on that below. PEACH has recorded with the great bluesman, Taj Mahal; Marty Grebb (Bonnie Raitt, Leon Russell); Reggie McBride (Elton John); Joey Delgado (Delgado Brothers); Garth Hudson (The Band); and Paul Barrere (LIttle Feat). She has co-written with Keb’ Mo’ and Marty Grebb and is a past Los Angeles Music Awards, Rockwired Radio Awards, All Access Magazine Music Awards, and South Bay Music Awards recipient.

In 2015 PEACH (real name: Peach Reasoner) found great success and acceptance for her music in Denmark, where she performed at the Den Bla Festival and played numerous gigs at Mojo Blues Bar (and) Café’ Bartof in Copenhagen, among other places.

In a recent interview, PEACH explained some of the reasons behind her musical ‘nirvana’ in Denmark, and how differently musicians are treated overseas compared to here in the States.

Were you born with the first name of PEACH, or is it a nickname you acquired at some point?

When I was 2 days old, my sister called me Peachie and it stuck. Later, I changed it to simply PEACH and it is now my legal name.

From viewing your recent press and Facebook page, you’re really established a strong foothold performing in Copenhagen, and other cities in Denmark. How did that happen for you?

I originally went to Copenhagen to meet a woman, Annette Hagen Brandt, that knew my music from the internet. She said she could represent me in Scandinavia. Happy to travel, I arranged to meet her in Copenhagen, Denmark. She introduced me to many of the finest musicians in Scandinavia, including Aske Jacoby. Aske invited me to come play at Mojo Blues. He had the clout to get me in there and I am so grateful….because it was the beginning of finding musicians and an audience for my music.

In October 2015 I toured with The Almost Blues Band (DK), and met my new European booking agent, Keld Christensen of DGM Concerts & Booking.

Compare and contrast the music scenes of Europe, where you have recently performed, and Los Angeles, where you live?

One huge difference between playing music in Europe versus the United States is that musicians are PAID to play in Denmark. Perhaps one reason is that the bar scene is viable…people are drinking and the clubs can make money. I’ve noticed that the audiences are a wide age range…from 20 year olds to 80 year olds…And for me, I feel free to play blues or r&b or ballads or Dylan or whatever I feel like….if I’m into it, people in Europe seem to accept a variety of music!

Also it seems that, currently in Europe, usually only one band plays all night. By contrast, clubs in Los Angeles book several bands on the same night. In L.A. the musicians make next to nothing, half the time splitting the door cover charge.

You’ve recorded and played with some pretty heavy hitters, including your song “The Real Thing” with Taj Mahal. Can you discuss how the Taj Mahal collaboration occurred?

Taj Mahal recorded a duet with me called The Real Thing. It began with the producer of the project, Marty Grebb (of The Buckinghams), having a long-standing relationship with Taj. Marty sent him the “demo” and asked him if he’d do it next time he was in town. It was a lucky break for me that Taj was in Los Angeles about a month later. He came over to our studio and was such a joy. After the recording, Taj sat around and played the funkiest piano I’ve ever heard. He was always one of my heroes….so to do the recording with him was a great gift.

When did you decide that Blues was to be your music of choice to record and perform?

I never made a “decision” to play blues. Over the years, it just happened that more and more of the songs I played and loved, were blues. I remember a jazz singer girlfriend, Julie Kelly, once telling me that blues was my best stuff. And then, over time, when I won an award for Blues Artist of the Year from the L.A. Music Awards, I began to see….that this was the music I could play for hours and hours and still want more. But my understanding, that I am a bonafide blueswoman, happened over a long period of time.

It’s been a little while since your last record, “The Real Thing”, was released. Any plans for putting out a new album anytime soon?

Yes, I have decided to do my next recording with the Danish band. We will be recording “Live from Café Bartof” from Copenhagen, Denmark at the end of February 2016. It will be recorded under the name of PEACH & The Almost Blues Band (DK). I will also be taking my longtime keyboardist from the United States, Mr. Ken Stange. Ken played keys and harp for Joe Cocker, among others, and we look forward to this collaboration with the Danish musicians: Michael Engman Rønnow (guitar), Helge Solberg (bass), and Klaus Menzer (drums).

What do you find to be more challenging – singing, or playing guitar?

My big challenge is moving my two guitars and amp all the time! But otherwise, I find both singing and guitar playing to occupy my mind equally. The singing because my goal is make sure every word and every moment is from the heart.

I find the guitar to be a challenge because I must have the playing so fluent that I can focus on my singing.

Biggest highlights of your career to date?

I’d have to say getting to sing with Taj Mahal. And co-writing with Keb’ Mo’….and currently, getting to play in Europe. I have found happiness at last….because I’ve found an accepting and loving audience there.

What are some of your favorite non-music related hobbies?

Swimming and dating (not necessarily in that order).

What do you foresee as your career path in music going forward?

I see a lot of playing in my future…tons of travel and meeting great people along the way. Have guitars, will travel. We are still planning a 2016 Summer Tour which I hope will include Denmark, England, Norway, and Germany. I am also interested in playing in Iceland, Sweden, Finland and Morocco.

Best way for people interested in PEACH Blues Band to keep up with your shows, news, etc?

For more, visit Facebook.com/PEACHBluesBand or www.peach.us.

-----
Source: http://www.musicnewsnashville.com/blues-musician-peach-finding-her-musical-nirvana-in-denmark/

-----
Alternate/Archived Versions