What: Lindsay Beaver and the 24th Street Wailers
When: Friday, 8 p.m.
Where: Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View Street
Tickets: $22/$25
More information: jazzvictoria.ca
Lindsay Beaver is a rhythm and blues musician and stand-up drummer from Halifax, living in Austin, who sings like a cross between Janis Joplin and Amy Winehouse. The 33-year-old just finished her latest album, produced by the blues legend Jimmie Vaughan, brother to the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan, and is on tour with her band, the 24th Street Wailers.
We caught up with her through some spotty cell service while she was travelling through northern California. She said she’s excited to be back in Victoria on Friday to play Hermann’s Jazz Club with her band.
Q: Tell us about your new record and working with Jimmie Vaughan.
A: I’m super-excited to put this record out. This will be the first time I’ve been able to feature some of my favourite blues and R&B artists from across North America. I was blessed to have so many of my favourite artists sit in, especially Jimmie Vaughan. We met while I opened one of his shows. He liked the show and we kept in touch over the years. He encouraged me to start spending [more] time in Austin.
Q: What are the songs about?
A: I’ve recently gone through a lot of changes in my life, both professionally and personally, so much of the material is about that. Heartbreak, loss, accepting changes in your life.
Q: Have you had some surprise guests or any legends show up to jam at shows?
A: I do love jamming with others. Jimmie, of course, is a longstanding favourite, but being in Austin, there are so many great musicians guesting. Paul Oscher was a cool one to get to jam with. Also, on tour, a lot of up-and-coming as well as established blues artists sat in.
Q: How does stand-drumming help you connect with the band? Is that why you like it?
A: First and foremost, I stand because I always felt like sitting and being in the middle wasn’t enough of a lead position. Plus, it made singing much easier. Being able to have a full breath in is nice.
Q: What is your touring life like? In a van with a bunch of dudes? Singalongs? Road snacks?
A: This lineup of musicians (my Austin guys) are a real delight on the road. Very fun. Very professional. That makes or breaks a tour, personalities gelling. That doesn’t always happen. So far so good with these guys.
Q: You’re from Halifax. What got you into music?
A: Halifax has a lot of talented musicians of all genres. So it was good for me to be around that my whole life. But I always seemed drawn to being a musician and making music.
Q: Who have been your life-long influences as a musician and as a singer?
A: I wouldn’t say I have life-long influences, but I have some who have changed my life. Billie Holiday, Queens of the Stone Age, Nick Curran, the Ramones, Sam Cooke. I really like music that has drive and passion. It’s not genre specific.
Q: How do you describe your style?
A: I’d say it’s Texas blues meets little Richard meets Hollywood Fats meets the Ramones or misfits.
Q: You’re playing at Victoria’s only longstanding jazz club. Have you found this in other places, where you’re playing somewhere legendary and last of its kind? How does that feel?
A: Yes. In Austin, I have a weekly gig at Antone’s Night Club, one of the most legendary clubs in the world. Same with the Continental Club (in Austin). It’s got legendary status. The beauty of playing blues and soul is so many of the clubs have a long history, so you feel like you are carrying on a tradition.
