A Conversation With Paul Wooten And Stephen Foster Of The Lowdown Dirty Mojos
The band became on outgrowth from the band Crawlin’ Kingsnakes. Hailing from the Hamilton area, The Lowdown Dirty Mojos feature rockin’ original tunes that seep rhythm and blues. And you gotta love their dedication to their music. During the pandemic, when venues were shut down, they played free concerts on their front porch. Anything to keep the music alive and kicking.
Ken Wallis interviewed the two musicians for the radio show, BluesSource Canada. The following are edited excerpts from that interview.
Ken Wallis
The winner of The Maple Blues Award for best new artist or band went to The Lowdown Dirty Mojos and two of the band members are joining us right now, Paul Wooten and Stephen Foster. Hi guys and congratulations
Paul Wooten
Thank you
Stephen Foster
Thanks Ken.
Ken Wallis
So, Paul what did it feel like winning this award?
Paul Wooten
I'm pretty damn good. You think you're prepared for it; you don't know if you're going to win, but you'll think what it's like, and then it happens and you're a little shocked by it.
Ken Wallis
And Stephen do you feel that winning this award will help your career?
Stephen Foster
I think so. It's a little bit of a boost for sure. Anybody that's a songwriter in a band has certain insecurities and this kind of gives you the confidence to forge past those and maybe push things a little harder.
Ken Wallis
And Paul, for folks that haven't yet heard your album, how would you describe your music?
Paul Wooten
It's exactly as I try to coin it, it's original 60s style rhythm and blues. It's got some blues in it, it's got some rhythm and blues in it. It's certainly got a good time feel to it.
Ken Wallis
And Stephen where can folks get a hold of the album, which by the way is called "Stone Cold Groovers."
Stephen Foster
You can get it through Cd Baby or you can even contact us directly at our website, the lowdown dirtymojos.com. In Southern Ontario it's available in a fair amount of record stores. We've sent stuff as far away as Wales lately. If people contact us directly we'll get it to you somehow.
Ken Wallis
What does the title "Stone Cold Groovers" mean?
Paul Wooten
Well, the album's got a real groove to it. It's a line taken out of a song that I wrote that fits the general concept of what we're trying to do on the album. It's danceable, it's listenable, it's got some groove to it.
Ken Wallis
And Stephen I understand you're doing a bit of a retrofit in your studio?
Stephen Foster
Yeah, I’m hoping to upgrade our recording interface and we've kind of been testing out the stuff for the new album. I want to get this new gear in place because I think it'll up the ante.
Ken Wallis
So, there's a new album coming in a while?
Paul Wooten
Hopefully sooner than later. Once we get down to brass tacks, it'll probably go quickly because we've taken a stab at about half of them. We have more songs than we need, so once we get down to business it won’t take us a long time to make. We do everything live off the floor and we do very few overdubs. So, once we get it, we've got it.
Ken Wallis
Well, I’m sure everybody will be looking forward to the new album. Again, congrats guys, it's terrific that you won that Maple Blues Award.
Paul Wooten
Thanks so much Ken.
Stephen Foster
Yeah, thanks for all the encouragement and the support.
Released June 12th 2021 “Stone Cold Groovers“ is the bands 2nd album release. Available on CD & digital download. Their 1st album,“Screamin’Hoodoo R’n’B” is available on 140 gram vinyl, CD & digital download.
Both Stone Cold Groovers & Screamin’ Hoodoo R’n’B contains great original rockin’ rhythm & blues songs that will take you back to that great 60’s Rhythm & Blues sound, with a few new twists and a modern sensibility ! Kinda like Muddy Waters meets Dr John meets The Velvet Underground, or Bo Diddley meets The Yardbirds meets The Isley Brothers. All originals written by Paul Wootton or Paul Wootton & Stephen Foster.
Website: www.thelowdowndirtymojos.com
Bandcamp: lowdowndirtymojos.bandcamp.com