Bruce James Soultet Interview: SXSW 2010

The Bruce James Soultet makes a repeat appearance at SXSW in 2010 as part of the Represent Austin showcase. With plans of national and international travel scheduled for the remainder of 2010, Bruce took some time out recently to speak to Spinner about being in a soul band in Texas, having a professional persona in the Music Industry and the good karma that sometimes comes to those who lose their wallets in Colorado.


Describe your sound in your own words.

It's just variations on soul and gospel music. Plain and simple.

How did your band form?

I moved to L.A. a few years back and while I was there I was able to set priorities for the qualifications of what I wanted to have in a band. I don't think musical talent trumps personality and vice versa. From that thought process, I knew I wanted to play with people whom I clicked with, personality-wise. And I have known most of the guys in the band now for a long time. Being in this band gives me an opportunity to entertain the audience and showcase the talent of the band as a whole.

How did you come up with your band name?

I have always felt it's inconvenient if you add a person or lose a person to change the band name. [Bruce James Soultet] is a practical name but I would just as much take my name off it. It's really its own entity. I feel the name of the band is bigger than I am. That's why the album art [reads 'Soultet'] is the way it is--bigger than my name. My band isn't hired hands and everyone's names are on the front of album. That's very important to me.

What are your musical influences?

I really feel I have learned from the masters. I mean I grew up playing jazz; more of the traditional stylings. That's what I went to school for. I played trumpet in school and learned piano from someone at church. Gospel music became my musical incubator.

What is your normal band setup?

The setup depends on the gig. For clubs and restaurants, we will set up as a trio or quartet. Otherwise, we are a full band. The percussionist is the only "revolving door."

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

I'm a total studio rat. I love old drum machines and finding old synthesizers at thrift stores; I'm a sucker for old gear that is not too practical. I collect drums too. In terms of actual music, I just love making noise. But some people get mad at me for it at times.

What's your biggest vice?

As a studio junky, I obsess over sounds and how sounds are made. I have to listen to something at least ten times before I decide if I like it or not and unfortunately it doesn't make for pleasurable listening all the time. I can't separate myself anytime I am producing; I get very immersed. I guess my actual music guilty pleasure would be straight-up rock and roll. I don't get to play rock and roll because I play piano, but I mean really noisy rock and roll. It's so much fun and I just don't get to do it.

What's in your festival survival kit?

Being well-prepared in every respect of the two words. Musically being well-rehearsed and also having product and promotional materials. Bands can completely be successful from making a good showing at SXSW. We have gotten other gigs and festival invitations from our previous performances at SXSW. The honest truth is perception is reality in the music business. If someone perceives you as being professional and successful, you will be received as such and treated that way.

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

The ones that I can remember? This isn't too crazy but very memorable. In my old band, our drummer always kept the money. One time on tour in Colorado, he had a wallet full of $3000 and he dropped it while we were stopped at a truck stop. We didn't realize it until we got to the gig. We freaked out and at 4am after the gig, we went back to the same truck stop to look for it. Amazingly, the wallet was still there with all the money in it! Also, I stayed up all night one time after a gig at the Elbow Room in San Fransisco, and happened to walk into the John Coltrane church. I actually got to play drums at his service one time, it was very awe-inspiring. I hope that church is still there.

What makes you get out of bed first thing in the morning?

As you get older, you put a lot of things in perspective. Now I have a 10-year-old daughter and she has changed my perspective on life. It's not about "you" anymore. I don't wake up just thinking about me anymore. She helps get me up in the morning, but I am a news junky too and that helps also.

Who or what do you want to see for SXSW 2010?

Well we are playing 12 shows over the week of SXSW this year, so I probably won't have much time, although I wish I could catch Smokey Robinson--he's my man! I think most importantly I want to hit the trade show since I am able to go because I have a badge this year.

Anything else you feel the world should know?

I am spending most of my efforts going to Europe and Japan this year. We are tentative to do the Porretta Soul Festival in Italy next summer. I'll probably do a solo tour beforehand in Italy this winter. R&B and classic soul are still relevant and on the charts in the U.K. Here in the US it's considered a revival. It's always been around though; it's just the perception of those around us.


Jessica M. Alexander is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.