PJ Morton Interview: SXSW 2010

Vocalist and producer PJ Morton has been involved in music in some way since he was eight years old. Growing up as a preacher's kid in New Orleans, Morton's youth experiences developed his musicianship and cemented his involvement in the musical arts. Now as a full-fledged singer, songwriter and producer, PJ Morton continues to set high standards for his own artistic vision. Morton spoke to Spinner before his upcoming stint at SXSW. His sixth and mostly widely distributed album to date, 'Walk Alone,' releases in April.

How would you describe your sound in your own words?

Soulful Pop music. Pop in a good way, kind of church influenced soul, soul as in traditional '60s and '70s soul.

What are your musical influences?

Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, the Beatles, Prince, Sting, the Police, Al Green.

At what moment did your music career technically start?

I've been involved musically for about 20 years of my life now, ever since I was about eight years old. Technically, music as a career started when I was 15--I had my first song placed in an album, 'Feels Like Rain,' by Men of Standard.

How did your band in its current incarnation form?

The band is mostly people that I've known or played with before. The drummer for instance is a childhood friend from New Orleans. I've known the guitarist since college, but this is what happens. We used to gig first and these type of musicians, we end up building a rolodex of talented musical contacts that we can draw on in the future. I started doing gigs as a musician for some of these other artists first, by directing and keyboarding and so on.

What is the significance of your artist name?

In many ways it's my given name. I've been called PJ since I was a kid--Paul Junior.

What's your biggest vice?

This is tough one. I don't know that I have too many vices. Bad music? I may have to come back to this one. Probably eating bad food, like fried food and soul food.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

I would say that when Soulja Boy came out [with 'Crank Dat'] I definitely caught myself being into the "U dance." I actually did the dance a couple of times.

Who was your first celeb crush?

Rudy Huxtable from 'The Cosby Show.'

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

Once when I was part of a show with Erykah Badu, there was a group that nearly got in backstage by pretending to be a string section that didn't actually exist. They were very well prepared, they all had violins in hand and were wearing elaborate costumes, the whole thing. They were saying they were part of the band, and almost got in. At the last minute somebody realized that there actually was no string section for this performance, but it was kind of funny.

Who or what kind of people would you recommend listening to your music?

People who are open to creative boundaries, not generally the people who are into the mainstream. People who are into real music, real instrumentation, real stories. People who still think of music as a craft.


Will Justice is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.