By ALANA MITCHELSON
Two new albums, a national tour and a father-son collaborative EP are among the exciting projects for blues guitarist Jimi Hocking in 2016.
Hocking will soon tour Australia with the Screaming Jets, following the release of the hard rock band’s new album in May.
He also has a mandolin album in the works, to be ready in time for next summer.
But one of his most unique projects at the moment is a collaboration with now 80-year-old father Kevin, who has been a well-known pianist and composer since the ’50s.
Hocking said he and his dad began jamming together without an intention of releasing a record.
“Dad would sit at the great piano in our lounge room and we’d just play things we liked. It was a really organic thing.
“We’ve played together on stage a couple of times for business, but this is the first time we’ve really played together in a natural way. The EP, Homecooking, will be released in the coming months.”
With a composer for a father and an opera singer for a mother, Hocking was immersed in music from a young age.
But he felt privileged to have lasted long enough to see and adapt to the changes in the music industry.
“I recognised early on that some guy with a kooky haircut could be as wacky or artistic as he liked but if I wanted to stand out and make a living from this I had to be more organised, apply myself and be ready to adapt to changes in technology.
“I relish in the fact that pretty much any old jazz or blues stuff can be found online now. Every kind of music is just so much more accessible than it used to be.
“Even though the music industry is so commercial, no-one can really predict where it’s going. It’s that unpredictability that makes it reachable to any musician who sets out to be successful because there are no parameters.”
Hocking has held the position of number one album in the country and has claimed gold records, but it is an experience much earlier on in his career that he holds especially close to his heart.
“When I was in my twenties in ‘88 I got the opportunity to interview BB King, who’s like the Muhammad Ali of guitar,” Hocking reminisced.
“I brought my guitar along and opened the interview by singing the first song he ever recorded.
“He was so impressed and shocked, I guess, to see a young guy playing a blues song that he invited me over for a cup of tea and we hung out. It was such an amazing experience and it feels even more poignant now that he’s passed.”
With a one-year-old son, Max, in the picture, Hocking now finds himself surrounded by a multitude of toys and, of course, plastic guitars.
“My place is more resemblant of the Romper Room set than my usual hang-out and rehearsal space.
“I’ve always wanted a child. I was hoping his first word might be ‘guitar’ but his first word was ‘car’.
“He’s just obsessed with cars! I’ve got no idea why,” the guitar enthusiast laughed.
Hocking was looking forward to the ‘super jam’ on the Saturday of March’s Motor City Music Festival at Geelong Showgrounds.
“I’m excited to return to Motor City this year. There’ll be a bunch of guns on guitars doing a super blues jam.”
