When I moved to Charlottesville a little over three years ago, one of the first music venues I attended was Rapunzels in Lovingston.  Ever since then, I have been impressed with the talent that has flowed through the venue, and that continues to captivate its audience.  Blue Line Highway exudes a higher caliber of musical expertise, by possessing an expert understanding of tempo, progression changes, and eclectic style composition.   While their natural talent evolves into a heightened connection with each other's assorted skills, Blue Line Highway creates an ambiance where their initial grooviness meets its soulful roots of traditional country, rock and roll.  With the five albums they've created, Almost Reel(2009), A perfect Curve(2008), Life In a Minor Key(2007), Morning Glory(2006), and East Coast City(2004), they truly have produced and inspiring collection.  Besides being a pleasure to interview, I was impressed by the demeanor of Blue Line Highway.  Their attitude projects true enjoyment for playing music, well; therefore complimenting the lyrical and reinventing their sound.

Since 2001, Blue Line Highway has been composed of four members.  However, on this night, there were two guest appearances as well.  John Leedes (guitar and vocals), Julia Dooley (vocals, percussion, harmonica), Melissa McKenna (vocals, guitar), and Ray Alfano (bass) are the original band members; guest appearances were Joe Connor (accordion) and Doug Austin (mandolin).

When watching a performance, I 'm always interested in the execution of the artist upon their instrument.  For instance, in regards to John Leedes, his versatility and creativity is unmistakable.  He can change any roll in a riff instantly, giving the song an entirely different direction and attitude.  Melissa McKenna, who also plays the guitar and performs vocals, has a different palate of skills.  With her delicate touch on the guitar and her invigorating spirit; she offers a "fun element" to the performance.  When paired with Julia Dooley, both vocals really blend together nicely; Melissa with her deeper harmony and Julia's vocals that utter a female comparison to Don Mclean.  The lyrical compilation, of Blue Line Highway, also attaches a true element of emotion and déjà vu.  Listening to their gig reminded me of a familiar fondness, where their music took me to somewhere I've been before, something I've felt before, and what my heart has desired.

Their sound, although bluegrass based, possess many influences, which add to their uniqueness.  As Melissa McKenna stated, "Were what we call the snack pack; we have something for everybody."   This is, in fact, very true.  I observed a "Grateful Dead-like" tempo, in which Blue Highway would alternate progressions at any unpredicted moment.  However, another influence I observed was a traditional country, rock and roll, influence.  One moment, you would think you'd be hearing what seemed to be a groovy, "Grateful Dead-like," song.  However, with a single transition, there would be a comparable feeling to Dwight Yokam, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Janis Joplin, Van Morrison, along with a little New Orleans-style Grayson Capps-like, influence, as well.

With regards to the band members and their talents, it was pretty sweet to witness a spectrum of tight base lines, performed by Ray Alfano.  His fingers never stopped.  He possessed a complexity for subtle changes, while still maintaining perfect rhythm and continuity.  Joe Connor also possessed a talent for subtleties within the score. It was very interesting to witness how he produced such a unique sound from within the accordion, while maintaining perfect finger placement.  His angelic accordion added gorgeous intonation, especially when accompanied with Doug Austin's mandolin.  Austin extracted a range of beautiful sounds, complimenting the bluegrass and traditional country elements of the songs.  This produced a classic, European sound, giving a romantic feel to many of those songs.  This ambiance enchanted the entire audience and placed us under the stars.  

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During the interview with Blue Line Highway, I was very interested to ask them questions that had always fascinated me.  They were gracious, and I hope to hear them play again soon! 

33:  How would you describe Blue Line Highway?

Melissa McKenna:  Many people think that we're a bluegrass band.  We don't think that were a bluegrass band, but yet some would classify us as that.  Were somewhere between Loretta Lynn and the Grateful Dead.  Were kind of country, jazzy, jammy...  We don't care really with fitting into any genre; we'll play whatever we want.

33:  What are your personal goals as a musician?

Melissa:  If I can play with people who are better than me and they'll let me play my songs, than that's pretty much all I can expect.  I've already gone further than I expected.

33:  What are your musical inspirations?

Julia Dooley:  Emmylou Harris, George Jones, Jazz, and Older, Traditional Country.

33:  Did you always know that you wanted to become a musician?

Julia:  Well, no; I was always singing all the time, like singing to the top of my lungs, but it was in my room...It's been really fulfilling to me, something that I can't get anywhere else.  But, singing gave me something that I never had; it gave me confidence.

33:  How did you get over your nervousness?

Julia:  Playing, playing out.

33:  Do you having any frustrations with playing music?

Julia:  I think that the commercialization of music is very hard for musicians.  Getting famous; I think that's great, but I think staying true to your music, while trying to make a living; that's extremely hard to do.

33:  I've always thought that being a musician must be very freeing...

Julia:  It is very freeing, and I love that.

33:  How does a band develop its musical style, if, any?

Joe:  Just keep playing; playing whenever you feel like playing, then playing off of each other.

33:  Why do you like performing?

Joe:  It's not so much performing, it's just playing; you have to do whatever's honest.

33:  What are some groups that acted as your musical inspirations?

Ray:   Folk, Alternative, Jazz; of course, I was a metal head.

33:  How does a band develop its musical style?

Ray:  It's a process, but it's hard to place a particular flavor.

33: What do you try to accomplish, while performing?

Ray:  I think that we all just try to blend nicely, with our own talents, while still trying to place with everyone else.

33:  How did you know you wanted to become a musician?

Doug Austin:  I think it just sort of crept up on me.  As a kid, I sang in the church choir and played piano, but music was always just another one of many interests I had.  I never intended to or had aspirations for playing music for a living.  Later in life, after wearing several "hats,"(farmer, carpenter...etc), but also playing musical along in bands, I had the opportunity to play 18^th century music on mandolin and fiddle in Colonial Williamsburg.  This has become my "day job," pays the bills and so allows me some flexibility to play music out in several bands that sometimes might not pay so well... or at all!

33:  How would you describe Blue Line Highway's music?

Doug:  I love the folks in BLH and the sound they've crafted.  BLH is a very tight and original band.  From an instrumental point of view, the arrangements are often surprising and complex, with dynamic shifts, and stops within a piece, as well as sometimes key modulations, all the while allowing plenty of room for improvising and free expression.   Some "jam-bands" are only about jamming and noodeling....which can be fun at times...but I would miss the structure and demand of a BLH original piece.  The audience will also hear intelligent and thoughtful lyrics sung with unbelievable soulfulness.   Within this genre of music (whatever it is), if I can even come close on my mandolin breaks to the artistry that Leedes has on his guitar, I'll be a happy fellow!

33:  How do you like playing at Rapunzels?

Doug: Rapunzels is THE perfect venue, especially for acoustic musicians playing nice instruments.  When you have to "plug in" to an acoustic instrument, you're always making compromises with the sound of your instrument.  The true sounds of the instruments come through....and you're not tethered to a mic either.  It makes you listen very closely to the others in the band so you can all blend your sounds together and not overpower one another.  The vibe I felt was very similar to a house concert.  People are there to hear you play.

33:  What is any thought about the role of music in your life?

Doug: Everyone has something in their nature that they can pour their heart into if they're only fortunate to discover it.  It might be rebuilding transmissions for school buses, farming, or healing people...etc.  While I happen to be blessed with the opportunity to make music for a living... I'd gladly work almost any job that allowed me to keep laying out in some capacity.  Mostly, I'm just glad that my boys have grown up seeing their dad and mom, doing what their hearts pulls them to do.  I wish the same for them.

33:  How do you feel on stage?

John:  When a gig is going well... its one of the greatest feelings I have experienced, and that feeling can actually persist once the gig is over in some cases till the next gig.  I often say I feel as good as my last gig. 

33:  How did you chose your instrument, or did your instrument chose you?

John: My main electric instrument these days is a Paul Reed Smith with single coil pick ups, I started getting into PRS around 1996 but I split my time between my 1st PRS and couple fender Sratocasters, over time I got a 2nd PRS (a Hollowbody) and my strat time started to decrease, I got my single coil PRS in New York City in 2006 (while on my honeymoon) and I'm very comfortable with it for now.

33:  Why do you think Blue Line Highway work well together?

John:  It's a band where everybody gets to share their ideas, feel apart of the creative process, and we get along very well too, which helps a lot in spite of stories about bands like the Who, who played great music even while at each other's throats.

33:  What do you think your music represents?

John:   A chance to break free of the constraints of the physical world.

33:  What are your personal and collective goals for Blue Line Highway?

John:  To play good music, to share it with others, to meet interesting people, and to have a good time.

33: What bands are you in?  Are any members of Blue Line Highway apart of other bands, as well? 

John:  King Solomon's Marbles, The Bart Chucker Band, Harrison Deane Band, and I sit in with Sister Sweet and 2nd Draw (from Charlottesville) when time allows.

Julia is also in 3 Tattoo Red, Joe Conner who sits in on accordion with BLH is also in Blues Catz, King Solomon's Marbles, Harrison Deane Band, and Doug Austin who sits in on mandolin with BLH is also in The Runaway String Band, Soy Hero.

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With a few final thoughts, seeing Blue Line Highway has truly been an enlightening experience.  I enjoyed listening to them play at Rapunzels because of it is a true listening venue.  It's not about the scene; it's solely about the music.  I was impressed by Blue Line Highway's energy, array of individual talents, and their collection of songs and sound.  I know they will achieve much more than they ever think possible, although with their humble nature, I'm sure they are not truly aware of their true artistry.  

For more information in regards to their gig listings, you can contact them by email at Minor.Key@Hotmail.com.   

 

 

 

 

By Author and Staff Coordinator: Helen Brown

Although originally from Marion Junction, Alabama, Helen has been living in Ivy, Virginia for the last three years, because she absolutely loves the Blue Ridge Mountains.  She attended Emory and Henry College, in Emory, Virginia, gaining a degree in Philosophy and Psychology.  Helen moved to Charlottesville on a whim because of the unique music scene, interest in the Food and Wine Industry, and the desire to incorporate music into her professional aspirations.  She is looking forward to listening to an array of eclectic music, observing the local talent, and meeting some interesting people, while working with the Magazine33 team!  See you around town...

 

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