John Oates
Photo by Ian Keaggy
Interview by Perry Fish
With a unique sound that is a little bit country and a little bit rock & roll, with a whole lot of soul, musician and songwriter, John Oates is embarking on some new territory. While continuing to tour with Daryl Hall, as the infamous duo, Hall and Oates, he is also focusing on his solo career. We had a chance to speak with Oates about his exciting new project, future collaborations, and his latest single, “Stand Strong.” An interview bonus? A little bit of life philosophy thrown in!
Throughout your career, your music has been categorized on a wide range from Blues, R&B, Doo Wop, and Appalachian Folk. How would you describe your sound?
All of those things, I have a wide set of influences and tastes.
Have you always known you wanted to write and play music?
I started playing and singing when I was 5 years old and have never had any other job.
Who have been your biggest musical inspirations?
Chuck Berry, Curtis Mayfield, Doc Watson, Mississippi John Hurt, The Temptations.
Hall & Oates has been a major part of your career. What has it been like focusing on your solo career recently?
I have the best of two worlds. I still tour actively with Daryl Hall and record and perform as a solo artist. I try to make my solo performances different and much more intimate than the H&O shows.
What are you currently working on?
A new long term recording project called: A Good Road To Follow. It’s a musical journey though my influences with collaborations with some of the greatest singers, musicians and songwriters in the world.
Your latest single Stand Strong was recently released as your first song for Good Road to Follow. What was the inspiration for this track?
I wrote and produced it with Teddy Morgan who is also Kevin Costner’s producer. We wanted to talk about unity and connecting with family, teammates, friends and the power of standing up for yourself.
What can be expected for the rest of Good Road to Follow?
I’ll release a song every month with no real end of the road in sight…just some cool exits along the way. there are a lot of different styles.
It sounds like you are branching out into some new territory. Is it true a collaboration with One Republic’s Ryan Tedder is in the works?
Yes, Ryan and I wrote and produced a song together in his Denver studio. He is an amazing talent and person. The song is being finished as we speak so I hope to be able to release it soon.
If you could collaborate with one other musician/band that you haven’t had the opportunity to yet, who would it be?
There are so many. How about Prince!
Your upcoming show at S.P.A.C.E in Evanston, IL includes singer-songwriter, Marc Scibilia. How did that come together?
I don’t know Marc but he is very good.
Where is your favorite place to go to write music?
Anywhere that the muse strikes me. There are no rules to songwriting.
What is your favorite part about making music?
The magic of creating something from nothing.
Do you have one defining moment that you could say was the “highlight of your career?
Today… by that I mean the fact that I’m still around making music for a living, pretty healthy and have a great family.
For more great information on John Oates new project Good Road to Follow, visit his website here.
1 Comment
Recently I had the privilege of hearing John solo where he shared some of his new songs from his Good Road To Follow Project. The songs are thoughtful and inspiring, as he blends his incredible talent and maturity. I’m really looking forward to the upcoming releases.