“It’s important that we spread the blues in todays society because it’s hardly a part of society at all. Modern music is taking over which is fine cause obviously people seem to love it, but We need to work as hard as we can to bring back the blues and carry the torch to keep it alive. I will devote everyday of my life to create my own sound and bring the blues back!”

Denny Shiffler: Twisted Livin’ Blues n’ Roll

Twisted Livin’ Band is a Blues Power Trio from South Jersey formed in August 2022. Playing covers and original music, this band is capable of turning a quiet bar into a blues club during their set. Mixing the old with the new, Twisted Livin’ Band hopes to bring together generations through the feeling of their music. Twisted Livin Band isn't just performing; they are crafting an experience that lingers long after the last note is played. Twisted Livin' guitar player Denny Shiffler comes from a strong musical family and background, having growing up with his cousins and father being in bands his entire life. Heavily influenced by renowned bluesman like Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King, Robert Johnson, Albert King, Jimi Hendrix and John Lee Hooker, Shiffler's colorful, expressive playing and singing style packs a punch, setting the scene for what the band is trying to do, making it easy for people to truly enjoy and feel the music.

(Denny Shiffler & Twisted Livin' / Photo © by John Loreaux)

Will Keiter connects the low end to the high frequencies in Twisted Livin'. Coming from a jazz background, the multi-instrumentalist works to incorporate as much harmonic color in his creation of musical phrases as possible. Through learning the tendencies of his fellow players, it’s his primary motive to set the foundation for the ovrall sound of TL. Drummer Bob Irwin provides the backbeat for Twisted Livin'. His main role is to keep the crowd dancing and secure a musical "home base" for his band-mates by keeping a solid, steady beat. Mainly influenced by classic rock, Irwin's style of playing supports the trio in a powerful way.

Interview by Michael Limnios            Special Thanks: Doug Deutsch Publicity Services

How has the Blues and Rock music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?

Blues and rock music has influenced my views of the world in many ways. Listening to Jimi Hendrix and guys like Robert johnson, John Lee Hooker and BB King who tell stories of their life through their music definitely helped me through many things and sort out issues in my life. Listening to songs like “Freedom” by Jimi Hendrix and the way he describes certain aspects of being free and how people are easy to back stab and tie you down, really helped me realize that I need to do what I want to do and how no one should be able to tie me down to a certain genre or certain habits of living. On the other hand listening to the old blues men talk about women troubles, money troubles and all the above helped me realize that I’m not doing to bad for myself and I’m lucky to have the support and love around me like I do. The moment that changed my life in music is either the first time I heard Stevie Ray Vaughan play the guitar, I was about 7 or so, or when our band Twisted Livin’ played our first gig. It was such a beautiful moment and helped me realize it wasn’t just a dream. 

How do you describe band’s sound and songbook? How do you want Twisted Livin' Band’s music to affect people?

The way that I think about twisted livins sound and array of music would certainly lean towards the emotional and expressive side of music. Every show is different, every solo is different, every feeling is different each night!. It’s really a cool thing and pushes the music to be so raw and easily connected with by the audience and us as a band. Our music choices range from BB King to Elvis! We even have some aero smith in there! I want this music that we play to touch a place so deep in the audiences heart and soul and really make them feel the music rather than just hear it. It means the most if they can dig something they’ve never really heard before and truly feel it.

”Blues and rock music has influenced my views of the world in many ways. Listening to Jimi Hendrix and guys like Robert johnson, John Lee Hooker and BB King who tell stories of their life through their music definitely helped me through many things and sort out issues in my life.” (Denny Shiffler & Twisted Livin' , Blues Power Trio from South Jersey / Photo © by John Loreaux)

Why do you think that New Jersey’s Blues Rock Scene continues to generate such a devoted following?

I think that the blues scene stays strong around NJ because they can see how the blues is dying, and the New Age music is progressing. I think that the people around here know they need to keep pushing the blues and proving that the artists are really doing something different and important with the music they are preforming and making. It really is important and I love all the people who support all our band and all the other bands that are trying to keep the music alive. 

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

Playing at the boiler room in cape may was a beautiful experience. The crowd was so alive and involved,  the room was buzzing! Everyone there was so into what was going on and what we were playing, it made impact on my band and I. Really made it feel like what we are doing is right. But other than that every time we record and every time we practice it’s just a great time. We are all very serious about what we do and it feels so great to just let everything go and be in the music. 

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

I guess what I miss most about the music of the past is how raw it was and how everything was so loose and emotional. You watch Jimi Hendrix and each night he would play, every solo was different and everything was so powerful. Nowadays everything is so heavily rehearsed and produced, It’s a shame. The emotions and power of real music is what is missing in todays sound and that scares me. People just settle for what comes out and some musicians just sell out for money and do what people want to hear rather than what they want to play. I hope Twisted Livin can change that factor in music and bring back the raw powerful emotional aspect back to music in the near future.

”To keep our music relevant, we infuse a modern touch to our bluesy rock sound. We also preform our music with so much passion and emotion hoping to capture the audience and force them to feel what’s going on.” (Denny Shiffler & Twisted Livin', mixing the old with the new music / Photo © by John Loreaux)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Music has taught me many things in my life, from being patient to helping me build a work ethic. So many years of practice, putting myself down, not feeling like I’m good enough but still staying on the right track forces me to be the best musician I can be. It’s a blessing and curse but has taught me many  things. It helped me realize that things aren’t just handed to people, you need to work hard to get what you want, and you can never think your the greatest or even close to the best if you want to be the best. Music is much more than just music to me. 

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music in today’s society?

It’s important that we spread the blues in todays society because it’s hardly a part of society at all. Modern music is taking over which is fine cause obviously people seem to love it, but We need to work as hard as we can to bring back the blues and carry the torch to keep it alive. I will devote everyday of my life to create my own sound and bring the blues back! 

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

To keep our music relevant, we infuse a modern touch to our bluesy rock sound. We also preform our music with so much passion and emotion hoping to capture the audience and force them to feel what’s going on. Even if they aren’t a fan of the blues if you preform with a purpose and lose yourself in the music the audience can feel that and it will make a huge impact on what’s going on, on stage. It goes way deeper than what the audience is hearing, they need to connect with you as the musician and the music as a whole.

Twisted Livin’ Band - Home

(Guitarist/frontman Denny Shiffler of Twisted Livin' / Photo © by John Loreaux)

Denny Shiffler and Twisted Livin', Jersey's newest blues contenders, make a special appearance at Southern New Jersey's premiere sit-down live music venue, Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main St., Saturday, March 22. Show: 7:30pm. Info: (609) 276-6758. Also performing that evening: Bees Deluxe.

March 14 (Fri) - Somers Point NJ@Josie Kelly's
March 15 (Sat) - Cape May NJ@The Boiler Room
March 22 (Sat) - Tuckerton NJ@Lizzie Rose Music Room
March 28 (Fri) - Cape May NJ@Taco Caballito Tequileria
April 5 (Sat) - Cape May NJ@The Boiler Room
April 11 (Fri) - Somers Point NJ@Josie Kelly's
April 12 (Sat) - Atlantic City NJ@Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
April 18 (Fri) - Somers Point NJ@Caroline's
April 19 (Sat) - Atlantic City NJ@Vagabond Taproom