"Music, especially blues music, gives people a chance to forget their problems and just have a ball. More importantly it brings people together. Listening to a great song we forget all the arguing and hate around us. We come together. We realize we’re all the same. It allows us to sing and dance together. It’s as close to heaven as we can get. That’s it. Music is a temporary escape to heaven."

Shemekia Copeland: American Blues Lady

On Friday, August 30, 2024, Alligator Records will release Blame It On Eve, the sublime and powerful new album from award-winning blues, R&B and Americana vocalist Shemekia Copeland. Copeland possesses one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time. Like her three previous albums—America’s Child, Uncivil War and Done Come Too Far—Blame It On Eve makes bold statements about today’s crucial topics—a woman’s control over her own body in the title track, the horrors of climate change in Broken High Heels, and urban violence in Tough Mother. But Shemekia was determined not to cloak the album entirely in seriousness. With Blame It On Eve, Shemekia again teams up with producer/guitarist Will Kimbrough. Joining her on these memorable performances are guests like Americana superstar Alejandro Escovedo, guitarists Luther Dickinson and Charlie Hunter, lap steel master Jerry Douglas, and young sacred steel wizard DaShawn Hickman. All contribute to Shemekia’s ever-expanding musical vision, blending many different genres of roots music into her hard-hitting, sometimes very serious, sometimes happily lighthearted, version of the blues.                                            (Shemekia Copeland / Photo © by Jim Summaria)

Shemekia has been a member of the Alligator family since she was seventeen, when I first heard her singing in a small club in New York. (She grew up in Harlem, raised by her famous bluesman father Johnny Copeland and her mother and biggest fan, Sandra Copeland.) When she was younger, Shemekia sang mostly about traditional blues subjects -- the ups and downs of love, won and lost. As she’s matured, and especially since she became a mother, her repertoire has broadened to address the joys and fears of being a parent in today’s complex and sometimes scary world. She has spoken out in indelible songs, decrying racism, violence, and sexism, supporting gender equality, and also glorying in the love of life. But though she sings about many current topics, she hasn’t turned away from old school blues. Listen to her earthshaking performance of her father’s song Down On Bended Knee, and you’ll hear just how profound and passionate a straight-ahead blues singer Shemekia Copeland is.

Interview by Michael Limnios           Archive: Shemekia Copeland, 2015 Interview

Special Thanks: Shemekia Copeland & Marc Lipkin (Alligator Records)

How has the Blues and Black American music (general) influenced your views of the world?

Blues is history. It is black history in particular. Many of its stories and lessons aren’t taught in school. In fact, some parts of our country are trying to forbid those stories being taught in school.

Currently you’ve one more release with Alligator Records and Will Kimbrough. How did that relationship come about? Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album Blame It On Eve?

I met Will Kimbrough through Oliver Wood while brought will in to add some guitar to an album we were making. He’s one of the mist incredible guitarists I have ever heard. And he’s a great guy. So, we hit it off right away. When it came time to make a new album, I knew I wanted to work with him again. He and John Hahn have written most of the songs on the last few albums. They are what I call “the dream team”. They just seem to get me and what I want to say. Blame It On Eve is the fourth album in a row that will has produced. He and John came up with some great new songs and I got to bring in some friends I’ve wanted to work with for years. One was Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi All Stars. I’ve known Luther since we were both teenagers and we finally got to play together. It only took us 25 years!! But he plays like a monster on two songs. Wonderful slide. I also got a chance to sing with one of my heroes Alejandro Escovedo. I just love him to death!! And also, with Pascal Danae of Delgres. Pascal lives in Paris, and we did a song, “Belle Sorciere”, with a chorus in French. Sometimes I can barely speak English ha! ha! But Pascal git me through it. So, it was a really fun record to make with a few nice surprises in it.

"Blues is history. It is black history in particular. Many of its stories and lessons aren’t taught in school. In fact, some parts of our country are trying to forbid those stories being taught in school." (Photo cover "Blame It On Eve", the sublime and powerful new album from award-winning vocalist Shemekia Copeland)

What moment changed your music life the most? 

When my father (Johnny Copeland) died, my life changed. He had been preparing me for the path, I would take but you’re never really ready. I was only 16 years old. I was on my own. I had to put a band together. Find a booking agent. Creating my own material. And support my family. Financially. With help from some wonderful people, I made it through, but it was not what you would call a normal teenage life!! I was lucky. And I feel grateful and blessed that everything worked out. 

What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

A big career highlight for me was playing the White House and meeting US president Barak Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama. To watch them clapping along as I sang beat up guitar is something I’ll never forget. Oh, and I also got to sing with Mick Jagger that same night who was also there. That was a thrill that will be hard to beat.

I’ve also had so many great times with friends who’ve guested on my records. People like Buddy Guy, BB King, John Prine, Dr. John, Ruth Brown, Jason Isbell, Billy Gibbons… they have been so generous with sharing their talent, I could never thank them enough. Each was a highlight in my heart.

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues?

It’s important that black culture and its roots are remembered, honored and never erased. Blues music expresses black history in way that ensues it never gets lost. That it remains alive and vital especially when performed with passion and feeling. That is not to say that blues is only for black people. It expresses the hopes and dreams, happiness and sorrows that everyone has in life. It is the most human of musical genres. And an original American artform. It’s also joyous and fun.

Why do you think that Johnny Copeland music/legacy continues to generate such a devoted following?

My father was the real deal. His music was raw and honest. Plus, he played his ass off and gave the best live shows you’d ever see. I think of him every time I get on the stage.

"I have a beautiful seven-year-old son who distracts me from all the pressures of the music business. He reminds me every day of what the most important things are in my life. To many people in the blues world, I’m the queen. To my son, Johnny, I’m just mom." (Photo: Shemekia & Johnny Copeland)

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

Music, especially blues music, gives people a chance to forget their problems and just have a ball. More importantly it brings people together. Listening to a great song we forget all the arguing and hate around us. We come together. We realize we’re all the same. It allows us to sing and dance together. It’s as close to heaven as we can get. That’s it. Music is a temporary escape to heaven.

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

To not believe the reviews you get. If they say you’re wonderful, it goes to your head. If they say you’re horrible, it brings you down. Odds are we’re all someplace in the middle anyway!!

Do you think there is an audience for blues music in its current state? or at least a potential for young people to become future audiences and fans?

Absolutely!! God knows there’s enough things in this world to be blue about. Young people want the truth in life. They want to change things for the better. That’s what the blues is all about.

How do you prepare for your recordings and performances to help you maintain both spiritual and musical stamina?

I have a beautiful seven-year-old son who distracts me from all the pressures of the music business. He reminds me every day of what the most important things are in my life. To many people in the blues world, I’m the queen. To my son, Johnny, I’m just mom.

Shemekia Copeland - Home

(Shemekia Copeland / Photo © by Janet Mami Takayama)