Artist Spotlight 2024: Jazzberry Ram
Jazzberry Ram
Artist Spotlight
Spanning genres effortlessly, the edgy ska/rock songs play well against the smoothness of the more hip-hop and funk influenced tracks. Jazzberry Ram’s ability to write timeless hooks, melodies and hair raising harmonies helps to put the craft back in songcraft. Al MacInnes’ insipidly catchy bass lines together with Colin Stobie’s hard rock drumming create the bedrock for Drew Stewart’s tongue-in-cheek rapping and staccato, funky guitar. Stephen Stewart’s classy yet powerful piano and organ style adds that sweet flavour missing in today’s guitar rock and thump thump of the clubs. The end result is a truly fresh and original sound that can only be described as Jazzberry Ram.
Tell us, what drew inspiration for your sound?
We really are a band that, probably, should have never come together. We all have very disparate tastes in music ranging from jazz to metal to hip hop and R&B. However, everyone in the group appreciates a well crafted song, regardless of genre, and we also really like to laugh together. Essentially, if someone brings an idea for a song which makes us laugh (or feel any emotion really) and has a certain level of ‘craftpersonship', then we tend to run with it.
How do you engage with your fans both online and off-line?
I mean, we have Facebook and Instagram accounts. But we are kind of old and the idea of an algorithm makes us all a little sick. We have toured a lot over the years and have made many great friends over that time. Connecting after a show is always the best; catching up over a beer.
Any dream collaborations/venues you’d like to play at?
My backyard. It’s super nice and I’ve put a lot of work into it. However, there is a particular neighbour who doesn’t like me putting on concerts next door.
What sort of challenges in this industry have you had to overcome?
Oh man, we started doing this pre-internet. We used to gather people’s actual physical addresses and send them a newsletter letting them know when we were coming to town. The music industry is challenging, always has been, probably always will be. Listing all the challenges would be impossible but responding to those challenges as a group, as artists, with creativity and integrity is very satisfying. If you love creating music, then the challenges become opportunities. But, yes, sometimes the music industry can drag a person down. We need to stop calling it an’ industry'. What a brutal word.
Any advice to aspiring musicians getting started in the scene?
Really practice recognizing when something ‘feels’ right. A chord progression, a certain arrangement, a beat, a collaboration, whatever. When things feel right you can truly double down in those areas. Something, like, 60,000 songs are released everyday on Spotify. Creating songs isn’t special, only doing things that are special to you are special. So do that and you’ll be happy.
What’s next in line to tell the fans out there?
We have a fun gig coming up in Vancouver this September where we will be playing our stuff, including a bunch of covers with great friends. I think we will take requests online before the show. If you wanna hear us play something, let us know!
“The variety and skill of performers they have opened for is a testament to the versatility and quality of Jazzberry Ram. They’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Run DMC, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Big Sugar, Great Big Sea, Chantal Kreviazuk, Nazareth, Wide Mouth Mason, Rheostatics, I Mother Earth, Nazareth, Northern Pikes, David Wilcox, DOA, The Rascalz and so many more. On videos and in studios Jazzberry Ram has worked with Dave Pelletier (54-40, Moist, Jann Arden), Jamie Murray (Matthew Good Band, Pure), Andre Wahl (54-40, Philosopher Kings), GGGarth Richardson (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against The Machine), Jerry Wong (Damn the Diva, Aaron Grant) and Vic Levak (Balligomingo, Kristy Thirsk). S.L. Feldman and Associates books; Pacific Music Marketing distributes.”