“ hope that some of the things in my lyrics get through to people. Sometimes I put little pieces of myself in there, so I guess that takes me back to question one: if you listen to my songs, it gives you an insight into the way my crazy brain works. Music is the first form of language we understand. It doesn’t matter what language you speak, you will always understand Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Etta James.”

Louis King: Rockabilly Blues Crown

Louis King was born Tommy McEwan and grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, raised on a diet of Motown, Soul and blues before moving to Australia as a teenager in 1972. He came to prominence as a drummer in the early 1980s playing in soul and ska bands including No Nonsense and The Swingin’ Sidewalks. He played for four years with legendary Australian rockabilly band The Straight 8s. Tommy has been at the top of the Roots music scene in Australia since his first CD as Louis King was released in 1996. His original mix of Blues, Rock’N’Roll and Rockabilly songwriting style has been noted worldwide by luminaries such as Billy Pennell, T.V Weeks Jeff Jenkins, the U.S Blues bible “Blues Review’, as well as Rolling Stone magazine.

(Photo: Louis King a.k.a Tommy McEwan)

He has also toured Europe many times, 2017 saw him perform in The U.S.A at the prestigious Viva Las Vegas festival as a guest at Deke Dickersons Guitar geek Festival. His songs have been covered by artists including New Orleans favourite son Rockin’ Dopsie Jr, The Flattrackers, Cherry Divine, and the UK’s Summertime Kings, and also been included in the soundtrack of a Hollywood movie, television shows Packed to the Rafters and Underbelly. His band has been the featured support act for B.B King, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins to name a few.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your musical life the most?

Well, great questions. Music, like books, gives you an insight into how other people think, so you can listen to it and feel part of another culture. For me, it was hearing soul music and Motown when I was growing up, and the blues later on.

Two moments stand out for me. When I was 12, I saw The Who live. I couldn’t believe the power and the noise those guys could make. Then, when I was about 15 or 16, I saw B.B. King live, and all of a sudden, it all made sense.

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy, and songbook? What keeps you passionate over the years in roots, rock n’ roll, and blues music?

I always say that stuff comes out of my brain through my hands, and I just let everything freewheel until I hear something that grabs me. There’s nothing else I’ve ever had in my life that gave me that kind of charge.

Sometimes I’m a little bit cynical and try to think of a way to get the audience involved in a song or bring them along with an idea, but most of the time, it’s just random music I hear in my head. Some of my best work has come out of nowhere, while I'm shaving or just walking.

“I must admit that I fear for young musicians coming up. I think we had the best of times, playing five nights a week and learning our chops in front of live audiences. Nowadays, young musicians don’t get to play as much, so the stakes are a lot higher for them.” (Photo: Louis King a.k.a Tommy McEwan)

Why do you think that Rock n’ Roll & Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following in Australia?

Because when you go to a blues or a rock ‘n’ roll gig, for that period of time, you’re part of a community where things are not pre-programmed. Sometimes, random magic just happens. It’s the "lightning in a bottle" concept, I guess.

Today, a lot of our lives seem pre-programmed. Most entertainment leaves no space for creativity. But when you play the blues and rock ‘n’ roll, you never know how it’s gonna turn out. It’s only later, when you listen back, that you wonder where the hell that came from.

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, opening acts, and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

My first real tour as Louis King was playing at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney, opening for Buddy Guy. After the show, his manager asked if we would like to meet him. Of course, I took off running! The depth of knowledge and experience of that man was amazing. Over the years, I’ve been lucky to meet some of my idols and heroes, and generally, they turned out to be amazing people.

In the last 10 years, I’ve been working in the UK and Europe, meeting a different set of musicians and collaborators, and testing myself in the big leagues. I guess it's pretty amazing for a bum from Melbourne to be able to carry it off in that scene!

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future?

I must admit that I fear for young musicians coming up. I think we had the best of times, playing five nights a week and learning our chops in front of live audiences. Nowadays, young musicians don’t get to play as much, so the stakes are a lot higher for them.

The growth of tribute acts and cover bands makes me miss the days when you could just see a young act in a pub, beating their brains out and having a good time. Sometimes, the magic is in the mistakes. One gig is worth ten rehearsals.

“All popular music comes from the blues. People think that because it’s a simple form, it’s easy to learn and execute. Well, maybe it is, but it’s actually most challenging precisely because of its simplicity. How do you take a bunch of simple chords and some words and make them work?” (Photo: Louis King a.k.a Tommy McEwan, one of the top musicians of the Blues and Rock n’ Rollmusic scene in Australia)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience on your musical path?

Don’t be too cynical. Go where the joy is. When you play your music in front of people and get a reaction out of them—good or bad—there is no feeling like it. Lately, getting to play in front of non-English speaking audiences and people who have never heard my songs before has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. If I can make it work, it’s great and I love it.

How did the blues shape rock and roll? Why is it important that we preserve and spread the blues?

All popular music comes from the blues. People think that because it’s a simple form, it’s easy to learn and execute. Well, maybe it is, but it’s actually most challenging precisely because of its simplicity. How do you take a bunch of simple chords and some words and make them work?

I’m extremely lucky that I get to travel around the world—in fact, I’m at 30,000 feet currently flying over Germany—playing my music. I know from speaking to people at shows that my outlook, and I guess the Australian outlook, is unique, and it gives them an insight into a different set of experiences.

What is the impact of music on socio-cultural implications? How do you want your music to affect people?

Wow, man, you are really making me think. I think the main thing is the fact that music breaks barriers. How can you take any form of racism seriously when all your heroes are black, and you listen to their stories until they become part of your own life?

I hope that some of the things in my lyrics get through to people. Sometimes I put little pieces of myself in there, so I guess that takes me back to question one: if you listen to my songs, it gives you an insight into the way my crazy brain works. Music is the first form of language we understand. It doesn’t matter what language you speak, you will always understand Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Etta James.

Louis King - Home

(Photo: Louis King a.k.a Tommy McEwan)