"I feel Blues provides an artist an outlet to freely express his/her ideas regarding real life experiences. In turn, these stories are appreciated by Blues lovers of many ethnic backgrounds. I would like people to feel the emotion within the songs and hopefully be able to relate to the messages."

Miss Lady Blues: Moe Betta Blues

Kesha Boyd…

"Music is for healing in a very crazy world. It is an escape, it is education, it is entertainment. Music is magic!"

Erin Harpe & Jim Countryman:

Joyous Roots Blues Meeting

The Boston-based multi-band leader, producer, indie label owner, singer-songwriter, and…

"Blues as art should bring people together from across cultures. I believe it has largely been successful. Just look at how far Blues has travelled the globe. Also, look at all the people who play Blues other than the those who originated it (African-Americans). I just hope that young people will continue to connect with the very foundations and traditions of the music and make Blues music that is meaningful to them and their…

"Blues has made me more centered, and playing it has mellowed me and evened me out."

Brad Vickers & His Vestapolitans:

Eclectic American Roots ‘n’ Roll

Guitarist/songwriter BRAD VICKERS learned on the job playing, recording, and touring with America's blues and roots masters:…

"Learn to follow first before you begin to lead. Be honest with yourself and know when to take a step back. Memphis Music Scene, is much more than a scene…it’s a state of being, a state of mind. Mindset of a Memphian, is we are always going to do any and everything with soul power."

Rodd Bland: Born Into The Blues

As the son of immortal singer…

"Inspiration comes from life, from all its aspects. I don’t have mentors; Once I had only a poetic grandfather, Blaise Cendrars."

Yannis Livadas:…

"First and foremost, to move people. The impact (and of course all of this is my own view) should be both an emotional and an intelligent one. Emotional to hopefully inspire, and an intelligent one to lead to their participation in it. To spread the idea that blues, and any folk music, is a story of a people. It’s a human story. It can be brutal, and it can be beautiful, but at all times it must be human, and it must be sincere."…

"The Blues and I are the same. My life is the blues and blues is my life. The blues deals with all the basic raw elements of life; good and bad, plain and simple."

Boo Boo Davis: Nothin' But The Blues

He was born and raised in Drew, Mississippi in the heart of Delta. It was the richest cotton land in the South and the large amounts of field…

"I think that music has lost a big part of its value for the younger generation, they still love music, and it has still an important role in their lives, but everything is so easily accessible via internet."

Søren Jordan: Blues, Rock & Beyond...

German-born Søren Jordan is a known and versatile guitar player, working as live-and studio…

"The relationships between musicians are delicate and critical. Keeping your ego in check and your mind open to new patterns and pathways helps you to survive in a very difficult business. Staying true to your personal vision and ignoring the power of the market helps you retain authenticity. Respect the intelligence of your audience. Three little words – no sell out!"

Hugo Race: The Soundtrack of an…

"Music plays a huge part in everyday culture, it is important to have music that speaks and relate to a person's everyday situations, sometimes you can be having a very bad day or even dealing with a situation in life and all it takes is the right song at the right time to turn things around, encourage, or even shine light on a total different perspective on the issue at hand, that's another reason why writing is so important."…

"The music business is becoming a nightmare for everyone, but for the new generation will be tougher and tougher if A&Rs don’t take the risk to bet on new things. People are hungry for new music!"

Davide Pannozzo: Modern Blues Artist

Davide Pannozzo has been described by critics as one of the most interesting artists of contemporary Blues…

"Blues is truth. Blues is life itself. This has an impact to everyone. Everybody has the Blues like the great Albert King said. I think Blues music continues to generate a devoted following worldwide for the same reason. Not only in Greece. Blues will always be around!"

Bill Markos: Troublemaker Blues

Greek musician Bill Markos (Vasilis Markos)…

"I see my life through the eyes of a blues man and I react to the people in the crowd. My music heals and sends a message of hope, and love. I see people loving music - all colors, all different - but most just want to groove, just like me."

Johnny Tucker: Keeping The Blues Alive 

Johnny Tucker is the tenth child born of nineteen siblings to a…

"I want people to recognize that music is a universal language that we are blessed to share. It breaks barriers and brings strangers together, all around the world."

CINEMA CINEMA: Art Punk ...and Beyond

New York experimental art punk duo CINEMA CINEMA continues their partnership with Nefarious Industries for the upcoming August 20 release…

"People who know how it feels to run the other way when they see the cops or risk discriminatory behavior; and that whole feeling of panic when you see the red and blue lights turn on behind you. The music itself is a part of the blues, but blues is also a feeling and an experience that’s expressed through music. Some express it through dance. Others through poetry."

Clarence Spady: The Soul of The…

"When I found blues, I found freedom. Freedom to sing the pain, to wail, to moan, to feel. And with that ability to feel and to release also comes joy and celebration and humor, which you can also find in this music. Freedom to experience the pain and the joy of life. Blues is life."

Avey Grouws Band: Heartbeat Music

With a deep…

"I miss the rawness of the old blues recordings. As time has went on I feel like things have become overproduced and in turn may have lost sight of the true meaning of what this style of music should be. Music is always evolving and the best thing for the future of the blues in my opinion is to try and get back to the roots. That being said there are many talented acts and blues musicians out there today, you just have to dig a little deeper to find them.…

"An obvious, historical example in the US was how music broke down the barriers to race divisions—Fans, white and black mingling at early Rock n Roll shows. I just want people to feel what I am singing, to get some kind of healing and truth from it."

Lisa Mills: Southern Royal Soul

Lisa Mills is a soul/blues singer who belts out her music in a…

"Today there is no such an impact. Music is mostly just layered sounds in the background endured to avoid facing menacing Silence… I already wrote about making music which, in the end, should always be fun while listening to music other mechanisms come into action with no filter whatsoever for all humankind. To answer your question about “affecting people” I see organized sounds and silences, along with verbal poetry,…