“The blues has shown me a way to express myself in a better way than just talking to someone. The blues is life; it's waking up and facing what the world hands you, and you are able to handle it and come back home and live to see another day.”

D.K. Harrell: Talkin’ About the Blues

Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter D.K. Harrell, one of the most formidable young stars of the current blues resurgence, sounds like no one else on the scene today. With his stinging, single-note string bending, deep soul vocals, and attention-grabbing original songs, the 27-year-old Harrell—a major draw at blues festivals around the world—is already in a league of his own. Now, with his Alligator Records debut album, Talkin’ Heavy (To Be Released On June 20, 2025), D.K. Harrell cements his place among the leading voices of the new generation of blues players. This Blues Music Award-winning guitarist with a soul man’s voice and a well-earned reputation as a mesmerizing live performer delivers fresh, emotion-packed blues informed by the tradition he loves and played with the foot-pounding fervor of a revival tent preacher.    

(D.K. Harrell / Photo by Laura Carbone)

Talkin’ Heavy continually surprises with twelve instantly memorable original songs filled with Harrell’s biting guitar work and authoritative, church-born vocals. Produced by studio wizard and musician Christoffer “Kid” Andersen and recorded at Andersen’s now-famous Greaseland Studio, the album shows Harrell as a generational guitar talent with a wide-eyed vision and a street-smart singing style bringing life to the timeless songs he’s writing. He goes deep on the title track, taking a hard look at his surroundings before declaring, “the world is just heavy with the blues.” From blazing album opener A Little Taste to the proudly taking-care-of-business Grown Now to the feel-good groove of Vibe With Me to the foot-stomping closer Praise These Blues, Talkin’ Heavy is an affirmation of the sheer power of modern blues.

Interview by Michael Limnios           Special Thanks: Marc Lipkin (Alligator Records)

How has the Blues and R&B music influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

Blues and R&B music showed me that it’s okay for a man to cry, that it’s okay for a man to feel and that’s a big influence we need today. We need that teaching of that it’s okay to say how you feel, it’s okay to cry and have something or someone on your mind. It encouraged me to be open and honest with myself, to be able to tell the world my story. The journeys I like experiencing is meeting different people because you never know who you are going to meet as you go on in this world. If something bad happens between you and that person or people sometimes a relatable blues or R&B song can help you cope with it and if something good happens it just makes that song a lot better. The music is just life itself.

Currently you’ve your debut release with Alligator Records. How did that relationship come about? Do you have any stories about the making of Talkin’ Heavy?

Well, Mr. Bruce Iglauer (President of Alligator Records) showed interest in August 2023, but due to personal reasons we weren't able to meet more about discussing a signing. So later, sometime in 2024 I believe, we spoke about a possible signing with my manager at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. So we came to an agreement in late 2024 and started to work on Talkin' Heavy, and the rest is history. I remember recording the song, No Thanks To You. It took a while for me to record it -- multiple takes -- because I kept crying. The song tells the story of my relationship with my father very well.

Why do you think that Alligator Records legacy continues to generate such a devoted following?

I think it is because they have had all of the powerhouse raw blues giants who never failed in the studio or during live shows.

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? If you could change one thing in the Blues world and it would become a reality, what would that be?

Well I think the question is if I could change the popular culture, I'd make blues a major topic or trend for everyone to pay attention more.

Are there any specific memories or highlights from your European tour that you would like to tell us about?!

Oh man there are so many because we've done things like perform at the North Pole in Svalbard and North Sea Jazz festival and performed with Martha High of the James Brown band. But I think a great highlight was celebrating my recnbt birthday in Trondheim with Ben-Erik Ness and his wife. They baked a special vanilla and chocolate cake for me and drove about 14 hours to spend it with me . That's real love. So that's a grand highlight of our tours.

”Blues and R&B music showed me that it’s okay for a man to cry, that it’s okay for a man to feel and that’s a big influence we need today. We need that teaching of that it’s okay to say how you feel, it’s okay to cry and have something or someone on your mind.” (D.K. Harrell / Photo by Laura Carbone)

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

I feel my lyrics are modern if that makes sense I'm not trying to do the stereotypical “woman done left me” or “I'm broke and hungry.” I'm trying to bring more contemporary subjects to the blues that all can relate to.

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

The blues has shown me a way to express myself in a better way than just talking to someone. The blues is life; it's waking up and facing what the world hands you, and you are able to handle it and come back home and live to see another day.

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music?

Well, I'm somewhat of a slow learner at certain subjects like note reading or writing music notes to a music sheet, but I've learned that I hear chords at first I didn't pay much attention to. But now, I’m in a way use my voice or the guitar for what I'm trying to get out.

What has remained the same about your music-making process?

The feelings being expressed has been the goal since day one. Being able to tell stories people can relate to or at least cry or laugh with you about.

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

Most important lessons I’ve learned is be yourself when playing or singing and always put a little more than 100% into what you are doing. Jontavious tells me, ”drag it out, let the people hear ya when ya sing man”. He is a great mentor and great friend. He’s my brother. He teaches to learn and try and just do it.

Which meetings have been the most important experiences? What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?

In 2019, I was invited to the bb king symposium in Indianola Mississippi. There I met many great musicians but one of the most important encounters was with Walter Riley King, BB King’s Nephew. He encourages me to still play and learn certain subjects of music. He says, “have a good list, have a good variety let people know you have more to you.” So now with being associated with Jontavious Willis, Quise Knox, Sean Macdonald, Dylan Tripple, Jayy Hopp, and Stephen Hull I slowly but surely learn from them like certain chords and licks.

If you could change one thing in the musical world and it would become a reality, what would that be?

Honestly, more films about reputable artists that paved the way for today's music.

”Technique is when you're home alone learning your craft, and soul is when you hit that stage and the technique goes out the window and you just spill it all out on the floor for people to see, listen and understand.” (D.K. Harrell / Photo by Laura Carbone)

What has been the hardest obstacle for you to overcome as a person and as artist and has this helped you become a better blues musician?

The hardest obstacle is honestly finding musicians to work with cause in north Louisiana there aren't many blues musicians. I do have to go elsewhere to find them, I mean 3-5 hour drives. But it's all worth it cause it leads to finding great musicians.

What moment changed your music life the most?

I honestly can't say cause my life has been nothin but music. But if I really had to say, it was the recording session of “The Right Man” cause a recording session with legends on your first record is sometimes a rarity, so it made me more grateful for the music I do!

What's the balance in music between technique and soul?

Technique is when you're home alone learning your craft, and soul is when you hit that stage and the technique goes out the window and you just spill it all out on the floor for people to see, listen and understand.

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?

Yes, but they first have to listen to what's being delivered and also study the history and evolution of blues. Like rap is nothing but blues on a different delivery. Music is universal-blues music is emotionally, mentally, and historically universal, you can't run from it. It'll always be there.  

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

I don’t have a favorite gig or show just yet. I feel every show I’ve done has been good but never the best because each show I get better and better. A great but recent memory was the first annual blues retreat held at foxfire. The guys I mentioned before Jontavious etc. were all performing on a Thursday night and I sometimes lose myself when performing, I become someone else. I say this because I started playing on my knees and back and busted my shirt open, first time I ever did something like that. I laugh about it now cause that’s really realizing that I’m a showman at heart.

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

I miss the authentic sound, blues to me now is too rock-ish. I miss when the guitar wasn’t overpowered with gain or distortion and bands had horns and every man shined on stage in a nice suit and uniformed. I also miss the showmanship, the new players like Toronzo Cannon and Eric Gales have that showman ship cause they move and dance a little when they play. You can’t be so technical, be more spiritual. I feel the blues is in good hands with the many young men and women who play blues. Now the business and society just need to notice them and embrace them and put what’s needed into them to prosper and keep this father and mother of all music alive.

What would you say characterizes Louisiana's blues scene in comparison to other US local scenes and circuits?

Where I live (Shreveport/Bossier city) there isn’t too much of a music scene. If there is its mostly rappers or southern soul. New Orleans is the spot where you may hear more blues and jazz than where I live. I wish Louisiana had the type of places like buddy guys legends or historical juke joints that are spread all over like in Mississippi. I wish we had more blues lovers and players in Louisiana. But thank god Louisiana Blues is still acknowledged by many.                           (D.K. Harrell / Photo by Laura Carbone)

“I miss the authentic sound, blues to me now is too rock-ish. I miss when the guitar wasn’t overpowered with gain or distortion and bands had horns and every man shined on stage in a nice suit and uniformed. I also miss the showmanship, the new players like Toronzo Cannon and Eric Gales have that showman ship cause they move and dance a little when they play. You can’t be so technical, be more spiritual.” (D.K. Harrell / Photo by Laura Carbone)

What is the impact of Blues on the racial and socio-cultural implications? How do you want it to affect people?

I’ve recently noticed that some of my peers have been quoting or listening to artists like Nina Simone, who of course was to me the biggest and most influential woman to musically express and speak on racism and the self-love of the black community. If my peers are listening to her then they are influencing cultures and future generations about the same topics Nina taught our grandparents and parents and so forth. So, I feel if the right songs or right artists are played to each individual person and they can relate to it we will have more blues lovers, players and listeners in the world. I got my cousin in love with Bobby Bland “Aint no love in the heart of the city” he learned from that song that love is hard but to keep loving.

Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really want to go for a whole day?

A day wouldn’t be enough haha but I’d say the 60s. When I look at Woodstock and the type of performances given then it gives me chills. Seeing footage like muddy waters and Lonnie Johnson playing overseas or Sammy Davis Jr. singing “birth of the blues “for interracial audiences. That time was packed with so much love for music and the fire to love one another during the hard times of segregation and 'Jim Crow'. That’s a very deep time. We need that type of drive now that says we want to hear and feel emotions and we want to walk hand in hand, and we want to be a force of nature and symbolism for positivity. The artists of the 60s emphasized that desire in their music, films, and literature. We need that now.

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