It's Saturday night, the weekend before finals, and you're wondering what you can do that won't completely ruin any chances of getting an A on that chemistry final Monday morning. Frat party? Nah, too risky. Movie night? Not exciting enough. Date with a couch in Clemons? OK, you're not that dedicated. Lucky for you, Justin Jones and The Driving Rain will be playing at Miller's downtown.
Based out of D.C., Jones and his band are a new twist on country. Growing up in a rural area -- Harrisonburg, Va. -- Jones said you could always hear bluegrass music playing in his house. His very first influences came from his parents ("you know, the stuff you listen to in the car with them") and most likely because of them his passion lies in old soul and Motown music. As he started exploring music later in life, he began to fall in love with these genres himself.
"I really like soul music and I'm really into Motown," Jones said.
He did, however, go through those rebellious teenage years when he went against what was "natural" to him.
"I pulled away from the blues in high school and got really into rap," Jones said. "After high school I moved to North Carolina and I would see these high school kids blasting this crap, and it just sounded stupid and juvenile."
When he decided to start making music, he returned to his roots, but added a bit of country and soul into his version of the blues.
Since developing this new fusion of country and soul, Jones has released three full-length albums, the latest of which is titled ...and I am the song of the drunkards. If you're wondering about the title like I was, here's an answer you might not have guessed: it's from the Bible.
"A lot of people think we're trying to make some kind of hip [statement] saying 'It's cool to be drunk,' but it's actually from Psalm 69," Jones said. "So it's not so much a, 'hey get f***ed up and come hear us' kind of thing."
Since his first release, the size of Jones' band has increased significantly, now consisting of nine parts including his own acoustic and vocals.
"Before it was just a four-piece outfit," Jones said. "Now we've got steel drums, bass, sax, trombone, pedal steel."
Sounds like quite the mix. So, any comparisons?
"Well, we've gotten everything from Dave Matthews to Van Morrison," Jones laughed.
But Jones doesn't think he sounds like either of those bands. He's been playing guitar for his "entire life" and writing songs since he was 13. As a result he has formed his own distinct style. Just by listening to him you can tell he definitely knows what he's doing, and he loves doing it.
"There's nothing else I want to do," he said.
He's expecting a baby in December, but will continue to play, adding "I'm not ready to give this up yet."
So in the frenzy of studying for finals, take a break (well-deserved, I'm sure) and check out someone new downtown. The only drawback of a fantastic Saturday evening with Justin and his band: It's 21 and up. So, for you first- and second-years -- better reserve your space at Alderman soon.
Justin Jones and The Driving Rain Saturday, Dec. 8 at Miller's.
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